needabreakcanada Posted March 10, 2013 #1 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Just starting to look into excursions for our cruise with AOS. I love turtles and swimming with them would definately interest me. They are so majestic. Wondering what the best excursions/tours to do this is? Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJHNorthyorks Posted March 10, 2013 #2 Share Posted March 10, 2013 We've used Tiami and Cool Runnings. Both were very good and have lots of fans on this site and trip advisor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avidreader13 Posted March 11, 2013 #3 Share Posted March 11, 2013 We were in Barbados last week and used Silver Moon. They were fantastic! From my research, there are several that get great reviews. You can check out trip advisor for lots of reviews. Tanya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erinpdx Posted March 11, 2013 #4 Share Posted March 11, 2013 We are going with Elegance Catamarans in a few weeks. They have great reviews on Tripadvisor. I've also heard great things about Calabaza Catamarans. I agree with previous posters to check out tripadvisor. You can also do a search on this forum and will find lots of reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aimodels Posted March 11, 2013 #5 Share Posted March 11, 2013 There are several companies that offer shipwreck and turtle snorkeling packages: Silver Moon Shasa Cool Runnings Calabaza Elegance Why Not Ocean Adventures Wasn't Me Small Cats Cruises Ocean Mist Jammin' Tiami Good Times Barbados El Tigre Cruises Thriller Turtle & Shipwreck Snorkel Jolly Roger You can also check out these websites: http://barbados.org/sailtour.htm http://www.funbarbados.com/tours/ http://barbados.org/tours/barbados_sea_tours.htm Cheers, P:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needabreakcanada Posted March 26, 2013 Author #6 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Never thought to check tripadvisor for excursions. I am always on there for hotels. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip61 Posted March 30, 2013 #7 Share Posted March 30, 2013 My daughter and I took the Elegance last week and had the greatest day!!! It was definitely a highlight of our trip. My daughter was timid to snorkel and they got her in the water and stayed by her side the entire time. Swimming with the turtles was incredible!! The boat is top notch, drinks the entire time, great lunch and the staff is awesome. I would love to go back to Barbados and we would do the same thing all over again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Vickie Posted March 30, 2013 #8 Share Posted March 30, 2013 There are several companies that offer shipwreck and turtle snorkeling packages: Silver Moon Shasa Cool Runnings Calabaza Elegance Why Not Ocean Adventures Wasn't Me Small Cats Cruises Ocean Mist Jammin' Tiami Good Times Barbados El Tigre Cruises Thriller Turtle & Shipwreck Snorkel Jolly Roger You can also check out these websites: http://barbados.org/sailtour.htm http://www.funbarbados.com/tours/ http://barbados.org/tours/barbados_sea_tours.htm Cheers, P:) We've used several of these over the years - Thriller, El Tigre, Silvermoon (2 or 3 times), and Calabaza. Calabaza is our favorite, and we're booked with again for next January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sns1009 Posted March 30, 2013 #9 Share Posted March 30, 2013 We used Action Charters. They were wonderful and we really enjoyed our day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCcruzer2 Posted April 1, 2013 #10 Share Posted April 1, 2013 We were in Barbados March 20, went with Shasa and had an awesome time! They operate a smaller catamaran, we had our family of five and four other guests. Swimming with the turtles was amazing, we also saw lots of fish and coral. Jason offered us refreshments throughout and the lunch was excellent. Would definitely book with them again the next time we're in Barbados :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaggesAZ Posted April 4, 2013 #11 Share Posted April 4, 2013 I truly cannot say enough great things about the day, Gina & crew and their hospitality! Here is the review I gave them on TripAdvisor. I read many reviews, and had previously sailed on Silvermoon, so we had high expectations. Gina, and her crew Ben and Danny surpassed our expectations!! It is as described by so many here, warm banana bread, drinks and service to die for from the start! The seas were unusually rocky during our entire week at sea on our cruise, and this day was no exception. Gina was honest, and said the visibility may not be good, and swells can affect the turtles, and other times not at all. They are natural turtles, in their environment, so I could not have expected any different answer, and greatly appreciated her candor. There was an hour or so sail out to Payne's Bay and the crew offered snacks and drinks along the way, and pointed out different sights along the way. When we arrived, immediately Shelly (a resident, friendly turtle) popped her head up and brought 2 of her friends. We had an AMAZING experience, and the 3 turtles swam around our group of 12 for at least 1/2 an hour. I could have never left. I truly was so happy, and grateful for such an experience, I cannot put into words the joy I felt, and still feel when I describe it! Due to the swells, we headed back to close to the port, Carlisle Bay (I believe) where we snorkeled over 2 different sites and enjoyed a GREAT lunch. After lunch the catamaran stayed anchored, and we could swim or relax on the boat for about an hour. The day was paced perfectly and could not have been enjoyed more by our family. I truly feel a visit to Barbados without sharing at least 1 sail with Gina and her crew would be an insufficient trip! I know when we return for a land vacation, Gina will be the 1st reservation I make after our accommodations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
girlscruise2011 Posted April 4, 2013 #12 Share Posted April 4, 2013 I truly cannot say enough great things about the day, Gina & crew and their hospitality! Here is the review I gave them on TripAdvisor. I read many reviews, and had previously sailed on Silvermoon, so we had high expectations. Gina, and her crew Ben and Danny surpassed our expectations!! It is as described by so many here, warm banana bread, drinks and service to die for from the start! The seas were unusually rocky during our entire week at sea on our cruise, and this day was no exception. Gina was honest, and said the visibility may not be good, and swells can affect the turtles, and other times not at all. They are natural turtles, in their environment, so I could not have expected any different answer, and greatly appreciated her candor. There was an hour or so sail out to Payne's Bay and the crew offered snacks and drinks along the way, and pointed out different sights along the way. When we arrived, immediately Shelly (a resident, friendly turtle) popped her head up and brought 2 of her friends. We had an AMAZING experience, and the 3 turtles swam around our group of 12 for at least 1/2 an hour. I could have never left. I truly was so happy, and grateful for such an experience, I cannot put into words the joy I felt, and still feel when I describe it! Due to the swells, we headed back to close to the port, Carlisle Bay (I believe) where we snorkeled over 2 different sites and enjoyed a GREAT lunch. After lunch the catamaran stayed anchored, and we could swim or relax on the boat for about an hour. The day was paced perfectly and could not have been enjoyed more by our family. I truly feel a visit to Barbados without sharing at least 1 sail with Gina and her crew would be an insufficient trip! I know when we return for a land vacation, Gina will be the 1st reservation I make after our accommodations Thank you for the review. I have Gina and her crew reserved for my trip in January 2014. This is one of the excursions I'm looking forward too most :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfiegirl4 Posted April 5, 2013 #13 Share Posted April 5, 2013 We were on the Mar 11th sailing and had such an amazing time with Michael and crew! I was nervous in the ocean, even with the life jacket on. He used a buoy and I held on to that, myself and one other girl. He was wonderful and so caring of our well being. We had unlimited refreshment and lunch. Can't say enough about them. We saw several Turltes and I even got to touch one. Mike fed them so one would come close enough so I could touch.They were amazing!!;) You will love it! Good luck on what ever tour you choose :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needabreakcanada Posted April 5, 2013 Author #14 Share Posted April 5, 2013 How do you get back on the catamaran once you are in the water. I am fine getting in the water - but depending on how you get back on the vessel I may have a problem. Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikqueen Posted April 5, 2013 #15 Share Posted April 5, 2013 I sailed with Calabaza last week, too and I couldn't have been happier with my experience! We even saw a whale! As far as getting back onto the boat, there is a ladder that extends down into the water that you climb up, you will have no problem. Someone would give you a hand if you needed it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needabreakcanada Posted April 5, 2013 Author #16 Share Posted April 5, 2013 Just wondering how far down into the water - do you have to hike your leg up to the first rung or is it pretty far down? Don't have the best knee's. Our old boat just had one or two rungs on the back so basically your knee was up to your chest trying to get your foot on the first rung - is it like that? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutSyder Posted April 6, 2013 #17 Share Posted April 6, 2013 We were just in Barbados a week or so ago. Took a cab from the ship to Carlisle bay were we rented a couple of loungers and umbrella. I took an excursion offered by a vendor on the beach to swim with turtles and a shipwreck dive. $25 for a 90 minute excursion which to me was perfect. Swam with 3 turtles and the trip included finger food and beverages, both alcoholic and non. Very accommodating crew but for the life of me I don't remember the companies name. You can't miss them as the operate a yellow boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needabreakcanada Posted April 7, 2013 Author #18 Share Posted April 7, 2013 How far down into the water does the ladder go? Will my knee be in my chest trying to reach the first rung? Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topspot Posted April 7, 2013 #19 Share Posted April 7, 2013 How far down into the water does the ladder go? Will my knee be in my chest trying to reach the first rung? Thanks, We did Silvermoon on their 24 person catamaran. The first step on the ladder was pretty far down into the water, I would say the first rung was aout knee level. They had stairs also in the front of the catamaran that was just like climbing normal stairs too. We used these for the swim portion of the trip, but you can contact them to see if they could be used to enter the water for the turtle snorkel:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EggsyH Posted April 7, 2013 #20 Share Posted April 7, 2013 (edited) How far down into the water does the ladder go? Will my knee be in my chest trying to reach the first rung? Thanks, As someone with knee problems myself I feel your pain. I saw some pics posted on Tripadvisor for Calabaza Sailing which shows the ladder having 4 rungs. When in the water it appears the top rung is about even with the top of the water leaving the other 3 below the water. You could probably equate it to a ladder at the deep end of a pool. It may have slight angle to it and has handrails. Just my observation not hands on experience. Edited April 7, 2013 by EggsyH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needabreakcanada Posted April 7, 2013 Author #21 Share Posted April 7, 2013 That is so much better than our old boat. The first rung was barely in the water! I should be able to manage. Getting in will be a breeze - jump! Thanks all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfiegirl4 Posted April 11, 2013 #22 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Just wondering how far down into the water - do you have to hike your leg up to the first rung or is it pretty far down? Don't have the best knee's. Our old boat just had one or two rungs on the back so basically your knee was up to your chest trying to get your foot on the first rung - is it like that? Thanks I to have knee problems. We never had any problems getting back on. I think the ladder goes like 9 steps before it goes down in the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
needabreakcanada Posted April 11, 2013 Author #23 Share Posted April 11, 2013 Which company did you go with - if you don't mind me asking? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkcruiser Posted April 20, 2013 #24 Share Posted April 20, 2013 just back from Barbados swam with the turtles for free on a beautiful natural beach. The turtles are not fed but travel past beach to go to Oistins to eat fish. Saw mothers and babies . The beach is Sandy Beach in Christ Church. There is a beach bar and chairs and umbrellas to rent:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfiegirl4 Posted April 20, 2013 #25 Share Posted April 20, 2013 Which company did you go with - if you don't mind me asking? Thanks We used Tiami Tours. You won't be disappointed. Amazing crew, very good with the Turtles, just fed them and they swim up so you can see them. They swim away quite fast to but we got to see quite a few. Beautiful creatures ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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