Sea Excursions
Mini-submarine voyages are enormously popular with families and those who enjoy watching fish but don't wish to get wet. Party boats depart from Bridgetown's Deep Water Harbour for sightseeing and snorkeling or romantic sunset cruises. Prices are $45 to $125 per person for four- or five-hour daytime cruises and $60 to $85 for three- or four-hour sunset cruises, depending on the type of refreshments and entertainment included; transportation to and from the dock is provided. For an excursion that may be less splashy in terms of a party atmosphere—but is definitely splashier in terms of the actual experience—turtle tours allow participants to feed and swim with a resident group of hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles.
Atlantis Submarine. This 50-foot, 48-passenger submarine turns the Caribbean into a giant aquarium. The 90-minute voyage (including 45 minutes underwater) takes in wrecks and reefs as deep as 150 feet. Children love the adventure, but they must be at least 3 feet tall. Shallow Draught, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BB11142. 246/436–8929; www.barbados.atlantissubmarines.com. From $112.
Cool Runnings Catamaran Cruises. Captain Robert Povey, owner of Cool Runnings catamaran, skippers a five-hour lunch cruise with stops to swim with the fishes, snorkel with sea turtles, and explore a shallow shipwreck. A four-hour sunset cruise includes swimming, snorkeling, and exploring underwater as the sun sinks. Delicious meals with wine, along with an open bar, are part of all cruises. Carlisle House, Carlisle Wharf, Hincks St., Bridgetown, St. Michael. 246/436–0911; www.coolrunningsbarbados.com. Lunch cruise $95, sunset cruise $85.
Tiami Catamaran Cruises. Tiami operates five catamaran party boats for luncheon cruises to a secluded bay for swimming with turtles or for romantic sunset and moonlight cruises. Daytime cruises include buffet lunch, open bar, and three swim/snorkel stops. Evening cruises include a swim/snorkel stop as the sun goes down, buffet dinner, and cocktails. Round-trip hotel transfers are complimentary for all cruises. Shallow Draught, Bridgetown, St. Michael, BB11142. 246/430–0900; www.tiamicatamarancruises.com. Lunch cruises from $96, sunset cruises from $71.
