Che Allan · Holetown or Carlisle Bay
A three-hour private trip on a locally owned 30 ft race catamaran, skippered by Che Allan: reef and shipwreck snorkelling, sometimes turtles, then a quiet cove for snacks and drinks at sunset. Pick it when the people matter more than the bar, because the boat carries your group and nobody else.
This is the small-boat option, and the listing is frank about it. The boat is a 30 ft race catamaran, locally owned, sailing for one group at a time and sold per group of up to 10. One guest wrote up to 8, so confirm your numbers with the operator. It runs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and the listing asks you to contact the operator on WhatsApp to confirm the meetup.
Where you start depends on the sea. The usual spot is the beach in front of Surfside restaurant in Holetown, where an English ship landed in 1625 and claimed the island; sometimes it is Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown. Boarding is from the sand by a boat ladder, and the listing mentions free parking at the public car park. Some hotel pickups are available, or the operator helps arrange a taxi. Out on the water you snorkel over reefs and shipwrecks among tropical fish and corals, sometimes with turtles, though the listing states plainly that sightings are not guaranteed. The trip ends in a secluded cove at sunset with snacks, juice, soda, water and a complimentary rum punch, and the skipper may fish along the way.
The fine print is stricter than on the big boats. Guests must be fit, able to swim and willing to follow crew rules, and the listing says the trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, people with pre-existing medical conditions, babies under 1 or people over 70. Jewellery stays ashore and marine life is not to be touched. Bad weather can postpone or cancel a trip, with a refund. The food is light, and the listing lets you bring your own food and drinks.
The listing asks you to contact the operator on WhatsApp to confirm the meetup. Ask where you start, Holetown or Carlisle Bay, and whether a pickup or a taxi suits you.
The usual start is the beach in front of Surfside restaurant in Holetown. There is free parking at the public car park, and you climb aboard from the sand by a boat ladder.
Life jackets and snorkel gear on, then into the water over reefs and shipwrecks with tropical fish and corals. Turtles turn up on some trips; the listing does not guarantee them.
The boat sails to a secluded cove for snacks and drinks: juice, soda, water and a complimentary rum punch, plus whatever your group brought along.
On the way back the skipper points out the landmarks of the coast and may drop a fishing line. You land where you started.
It was a relaxing trip with plenty of space on board, making it perfect for our family.
The snorkelling stops were incredible, we swam with turtles, rays and an array of colourful fish.
He is courteous and your safety is his top priority.
The snorkeling by the shipwrecks and reef was incredible. So many fish to see.
Read next:
The listing sells it per group of up to 10. One guest wrote up to 8, so confirm your numbers with the operator on WhatsApp before you travel.
Usually the beach in front of Surfside restaurant in Holetown, sometimes Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown, depending on conditions. The operator confirms on WhatsApp. Some hotel pickups are available; otherwise the operator helps arrange a taxi.
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, according to the listing. Bad weather can postpone or cancel a trip, with a refund.
No. The listing says sometimes turtles and states that sightings are not guaranteed. Guests have written about turtles and rays on their trips, but the sea decides.
Ready to book
A 30 ft catamaran for your group alone: reef and wreck snorkelling, maybe turtles, and a quiet cove with a rum punch. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Catamaran Tour with Snorkeling and LunchPickup, a turtle snorkel, the Carlisle Bay wrecks, a hot buffet lunch and an open bar. Towels and crew tips included.5 hours · Shared catamaran, hotel pickup
Luxury Cruise with Lunch and Open BarA double-decker capped at 15 guests, with a slide, swim stops, a chance of turtles and a Bajan lunch with unlimited drinks.4 hours · Shared boat, capped at 15
Carlisle Bay Turtle and Shipwreck Boat CruiseNinety minutes in Carlisle Bay on a glass-bottom boat: turtles, a wreck snorkel, a water slide and juice.1.5 hours · Glass-bottom boat, snorkel stop