Warning About Coral Breeze Snorkle Tour

[lazygal]

We researched at great length and decided on the Coral Breeze Caye Caulker Tour and placed a deposit about a month before the cruise. A few days prior to the cruise, I recieved an email that they did not have enough people to make the trip to Caye Caulker so we could substitute Bannister Island and snorkle tour and manatee watch or cancel. We specifically wanted a smaller, private tour and I was told only nine people would be on the tour. Sounded good, so I agree to the substitute - especially since there was no time to research a new plan.

 

Here's the problem: after taking the tender to Belize city and reloading the tour boat to Bannister Island, we were told we would be stopping to offload beach only passengers and have a 15 minute bathroom break. Having just had a half hour wait at the pier, I balked at this. Then a crew member told me it was only a break to be fitted with the gear.

 

After a walk around and wait - we again were seated in the boat when many other people started arriving and bartering for snorkle tours - these were the ship's passengers having come direct from the ship and were wanting a snorkle tour.

 

When someone tried to barter $10 for a $20 tour (we paid $60) - We were outraged. I am not against anyone making a better days wage, but not at expense of our "private tour".

 

Now there were so many people on the tour (20-25) that two of my group were constantly kicked in the head and every time we tried to venture out of the pack, we were screamed at to rejoin the crowd. Also, every time we came upon good reef snorkling, we were yelled at to follow the leader. Crowd control was all this tour was about. This is not a good tour for the experienced. The 3 hour snorkle trip we signed up for was 45 minutes at best and then we were taken back to Bannister Island.

 

It was a huge dissappointment and it did not need to be. Maybe some days are great - this was not. I felt misled.

 

Oh - the reef was great - too bad our guide would not let us look at it - as he consistantly led us away from it.

 

If you are questioning which tour to take - IT'S ALL THE SAME!! Save yourself the tender process and go directly to the island.