Snorkeling in Barbados, Fish, swimming with the Turtles and Fun

Snorkeling in Barbados is a fun and relaxing Activity.  My favourite location to snorkel is Payne's Bay and most weekends I am out on the reef swimming among the fish. On a few occasions I have caught sight of a turtle on the reef but that is rare. The turtles are usually further out. I have swum out to the turtles before but to be honest I do not recommend it for everyone. Firstly you need to be a good swimmer and secondly it is in open water where jet skis and speed boats zoom by. For this reason it is better to have a boat take you a to swim with the turtles then you can swim around the boat where you will be safe from this activity.

Many of the Catamarans and Glass Bottom Boats take you to swim with the turtles in Payne's bay and snorkel at a sunken barge in Holetown but personally I prefer the reef to the Barge because you see so much more there. Many of the fish especially the colourful ones swim close to the corals and being that the barge is so far down unless you dive you wont get to see all of them. I prefer a more up close and personal experience. Having said that it is also very important to respect both the turtles, the fish and their habitat. The Hawksbill and Green Turtles are critically endangered and only 1 in 1000 of young hatching's live to reach adulthood. The reefs are also in danger from many things including pollution and algae. Touching any coral harms it and touching some of them can harm you. One such coral is the fire coral. Touching it will cause your skin to burn you like crazy.

No two days are the same and there is always a wonderful adventure to be had. I will never forget the day I dove up my Conch shell or the day I found where the giant sea fan is.There are so many types of fish and coral and they come in many colours and sizes. Many of our Tours and Excursions at Glory Tours include snorkeling time and swimming with the turtles in Barbados.

For a list of our tours that do include snorkeling you can visit our website at
http://www.glorytours.org/beachsh.html

Best of Barbados and Explore and Discover Barbados visit Payne's Bay while the Carlisle Bay Boat Cruise and Beach day visit Carlisle bay.