Swimming with Turtles in Barbados: The 15 Best Trips

1.Barbados Catamaran Turtle and Shipwreck Snorkeling Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,175 reviews · from $85Our pick

Board the 60-foot El Tigre in Bridgetown for a three- or five-hour Barbados catamaran cruise. Snorkel for 45 minutes with turtles, explore a shipwreck, and enjoy coral, tropical fish, unlimited drinks, and a breakfast snack. The five-hour option adds lunch and a third stop. Hotel pickup is offered from select hotels.

“Outstanding catamaran snorkeling excursion! The company is very responsive and give constant updates. The staff on the boat were professional but lots of fun! A well run organized excursion. Our only complaint was we had arranged and confirmed our need for a gluten free meal but unfortunately that important detail was missed. We were able to work around that to a certain degree of success. All in all I would recommend them highly.”

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2.Barbados Catamaran Turtle Snorkel with Lunch and Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,396 reviews · from $110

Spend about five hours aboard a small-group catamaran off Barbados. Swim and snorkel in Carlisle Bay with turtles, fish, and possible stingrays, then cruise the west coast with a Bajan buffet, snacks, and open bar. Equipment, hotel transfers, and onboard commentary are included. The Stiletto and crew members such as Graham, Colin, Dylan, and Shaun may be part of your day.

“Each activity was well planned and allotted. Hearing about the island was enjoyable. Crew and captain were attentive, pleasant, and happy. Felt like all were committed to guests having a great experience. Booked late (night before) which I don’t recommend, but was manageable because mutual effort to connect and confirm time and location pickup.”

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3.Barbados Turtle and Shipwreck Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 902 reviews · from $36Best value

From Bridgetown’s Careenage, cruise to Carlisle Bay for a 90-minute turtle and shipwreck snorkel. You’ll get equipment, a drink, showers, a glass-bottom viewing area, and a waterslide. The crew helps nervous swimmers and children, though turtles are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed.

“Some people who say they know how to swim, don’t really, and may panic. They may also crowd close. Otherwise, great experience, floating and looking at fish and turtles!”

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4.Carlisle Bay Turtle and Shipwreck Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 474 reviews · 1h 30m · from $36

Join Tranquility Cruises for a 90-minute boat trip around Carlisle Bay. You will use a glass-bottom boat, snorkel over shipwrecks, look for turtles and rays, and finish with a slide or jump from the boat. Guides help nervous swimmers, and juice is included. Meet at Savvy on The Bay.

“Booked the 1 & 1/2hr snorkeling, just the right time. the guides were very good.”

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5.Shore Excursion Barbados Beach Day & Turtle Swim Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 421 reviews · 6 hours · from $50

You’ll spend the day at Savvy on The Bay in Carlisle Bay, then join Tranquility Cruises for a turtle swim and shipwreck snorkeling. Transport from Bridgetown port, a chair, umbrella, welcome drink, mask, snorkel, and vest are included. Food is extra, and turtle sightings are not guaranteed.

“We got out in a boat. As it turned out we were very close to shore/ beach. The shipwreck is cool. Large ship. Lots if color fishes. Saw a turtle on the sandy bottom. Quite a few ling, sleek, silver large fish swimming around. Lots if fun. Enjoyed trip.”

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6.Elegance Catamaran turtles swim and lunch cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 369 reviews · from $165

Spend five hours aboard the Elegance Catamaran from Bridgetown, with turtle swimming, shipwreck snorkeling, a Bajan buffet, open bar, and a leisurely west-coast sail. The crew, including captain Cali and hosts such as Wayne and Mavi, keeps the mood relaxed and helps less confident swimmers in the water.

“Our favorite day in Barbados was spent on The Elegance! We had an amazing time seeing turtles, swimming, dancing and being waited on by the amazing crew.”

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7.Barbados Island Tour, Monkey feeding & Swimming with the Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 329 reviews · from $147

Spend about seven hours touring Barbados in a small group of no more than 10 people. Watch monkeys at feeding time, see Cherry Tree Hill, Morgan Lewis, and Bathsheba, eat a local lunch, then cruise from Carlisle Bay to snorkel with turtles and visit a shipwreck. Guides such as Ryan, Glyne, Omar, and Kwame are known for lively island commentary.

“Very short stops at the points of interest that are mentioned, only five minutes on one and 15 on another. Only on the boat for the turtles for one hour, but friendly informative driver.”

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8.2 Hours Turtle Feeding, Shipwreck & Reef Snorkeling Tour Barbados

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 307 reviews · from $65

From Folkestone Marine Park, Horizon Boat Tours takes you along Barbados’ west coast to see hawksbill turtles, snorkel above a wreck and reef, and use the onboard slide. Expect about two hours, a maximum public group of 20, drinks, gear, and crew such as Mark, Sean, or Rodwin.

“Sean, the boat driver, was very knowledgeable about the fish in the water. It was an awesome experience, and I’ll definitely book again!”

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9.Che’s snorkel cruise! turtles & shipwrecks (semi private)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 303 reviews · from $75

Join Che and his small crew for a three-hour morning snorkel from Pebbles Beach. You’ll make two long water stops, first with wild sea turtles, then over shipwrecks and coral reef filled with fish and rays. Che, Carlton, Kamal, or another crew member provides gear, safety help, snacks, and underwater photos when conditions allow.

“Che goes above and beyond making sure that you have the best experience possible. Seen 3 shipwrecks and many turtles. Definitely recommend this tour!!”

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10.Harbour Lights-Chair &Turtle Shipwreck Snorkel Tour(10:30-1:30pm)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 185 reviews · from $39

Spend the day at Harbour Lights on Carlisle Bay with a reserved beach chair and umbrella, then join the Koopa Troopa for a 45-minute snorkel near shipwrecks, coral, fish, stingrays, and sea turtles. The crew helps with equipment and weaker swimmers. Choose 10:30, 11:30, or 12:30.

“Due to the weather we didn’t get to see any sea turtles! But RASHEED made our day so amazing it wasn’t that big of a deal! I mean he’s the true definition of a complete package! As far as anything we needed he was on top of it! His personality and softness makes us wanna keep coming back! Thank you Rasheed for your amazing customer service! Beautiful beach beautiful wata! 😊 literally our best day in Barbados was spent at harbor lights!”

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11.Carlisle Bay Beach Day and Turtle Swim Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 169 reviews · 6 hours · from $50

You’ll spend the day at Savvy on The Bay, then join Tranquility Cruises for a warm-water snorkel with sea turtles, stingrays, tropical fish, and shipwrecks. Guides such as Ron, Mr T, and The G Man have helped nervous swimmers feel safe, while the beach offers loungers, umbrellas, showers, food, and drinks. Hotel pickup is included within 10 kilometers.

“When snorkeling The G Man was really amazing with helping my daughter and I who aren't great swimmers.”

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12.Barbados Catamaran Turtle Snorkel with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $85

Board the Stiletto with Captain Graham and crew for a three-hour Barbados sail, turtle snorkel, and shipwreck stop. Hotel transfers, gear, banana bread, and an open bar with rum punch are included. The crew stays in the water to help less-confident swimmers and point out turtles, fish, rays, and wrecks.

“What a brilliant day from Start to finish. Captain Graham, Andrew & Dylan were the perfect crew. As it was my first time snorkelling Graham took the time & patience to make me feel comfortable so that I could enjoy the experience of seeing the most amazing turtles and fish. The food was delicious along with the rum punches banana, Coconut bread and fresh mangoes. You won’t be disappointed with this trip the service & experience was excellent.”

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13.Barbados Shore Excursion: Carlisle Bay Turtle & Shipwreck

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 66 reviews · from $48

Cruise from Bridgetown to Carlisle Bay for two 25-minute water stops: one over a shipwreck and one at a turtle-feeding area. Snorkeling gear, a drink, washrooms, a shower, glass-bottom viewing, and a waterslide are included. Cruise passengers can add port transfers.

“We did enjoy this, but didn’t realize we would be hiking up to waterfalls and a sulfur spring as well. Enjoyable and pretty, but boat flip flops weren’t great for that! Oh, and there is no boat. You just get in the water and swim quite a ways out to see the bubbles coming up out of the rocks - not a tasty drink afterwards! Sadly, there were high surf waves that made getting in and especially getting out very difficult. There were a few fish to see as well. Excursion helpers were wonderful”

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14.Shasa private catamran sailing cruise, Snorkel with turtles.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews

Join Shasa Catamaran Cruises for a private three-hour sail from The Sandpiper in Holetown. Captain Jason and his crew keep the group small, provide snorkel and safety gear, and guide you toward green-back turtles and reef fish near Cobblers Cove. Pickup may be available, and the cruise returns to its starting point.

“A fabulous day with my teenage children. This is the second time we have sailed with Jason but used Shasa 2 this time. Jason is professional, knowledgeable and a great sailor. We definitely did not feel like tourists. Highly recommended and will do it again. A big thanks to Jacob as crew too. A gray team.”

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15.Barbados Catamaran Snorkeling Turtle and Shipwrecks tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $110

Set out from Bridgetown with Dreams Catamaran Cruises for a five-hour sail along Barbados’ west coast. You’ll snorkel with turtles and around shipwrecks in Carlisle Bay, enjoy a Bajan buffet, and use the open bar while the crew handles equipment and water activities. Pickup is offered, and the tour returns to the dock.

“Awesome experience, snorkeling and seeing the wrecks. Great food at lunch. Couldn’t even make a dent in their fully stocked bar. Tour ended around 3:30 and still plenty of time to spend the rest of the day hanging out.”

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