Boats & Diving · Our pick in Barbados
Catamarans and turtles: a guide to the island’s boat trips
The back story
About Catamarans and turtles: a guide to the island’s boat trips
A day on a catamaran along the calm west coast is one of the classic Barbados days: a sail, a swim with sea turtles, a snorkel over shipwrecks and lunch on board.
What to expect
Many trips leave from Bridgetown and sail along the calm west coast, stopping to swim and snorkel with sea turtles and again over the shipwrecks of Carlisle Bay, with lunch and drinks on board.
Choosing a boat
The main difference is the size of the group. El Tigre’s two schooner catamarans could carry 50 but take no more than 36 passengers. Calabaza keeps its groups to 14 at most, and Elegance runs lunch and sunset cruises and private charters. Primo, the south-coast restaurant, also has a boutique catamaran.
Swim with turtles, snorkel the wrecks, and let the crew take care of lunch.
Snorkelling with turtles
The operators all include turtles on their lunch cruises. Follow the crew’s briefing, keep your distance, and never touch or feed the turtles.
Sunset sails and charters
El Tigre’s sunset Cocktails and Canapés cruise, Calabaza’s golden-hour sail and Elegance’s sunset cruise all head out for the last light. For a celebration, every operator offers private charters.
Good to know
Book a day or two ahead in winter, bring reef-safe sun protection and a towel, and check what is included before you go. For a submarine view of the reef without getting wet, try Atlantis Submarines.
Why it's on our list
- What to expect
- Choosing a boat
- Snorkelling with turtles
- Sunset sails and charters
- Good to know
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Catamarans and turtles: a guide to the island’s boat trips before you go.