Turtles at Carlisle Bay

[turtle1947]

Anyone have experience swimming out to where the turtles are from shore? Is it that  far out that taking a boat ride is absolutely necessary?

[piggiepuff]

I've done it 3x.... it looks fairly close to the beach, but I feel like it might be farther than it looks.  The Boatyard has a free turtle snorkel boat, it's included in your entrance fee (which is cheap).  

[JohninDC]

It's a long swim and the catamaran and other tours attracting turtles for their customers do not want you mixed in with their crowds.  Best bet is the Boatyard or paying $20 for a tour from the guys trolling for customers on the beach.

[carolslc]

I've done it before. I didn't think it was that far. I snorkel a lot though.

[OCruisers]

Best not to try to do it on your own unless you are a VERY strong swimmer.  

A tour offered at Boatyard is OK ... but taking a four or five hour catamaran to swim with the turtles that includes a beach stop is great.  

[OCruisers]

On 10/31/2019 at 1:31 PM, piggiepuff said:

I've done it 3x.... it looks fairly close to the beach, but I feel like it might be farther than it looks.  The Boatyard has a free turtle snorkel boat, it's included in your entrance fee (which is cheap).  

Are you sure it's free/ included with your enterance fee?????

 

[piggiepuff]

1 hour ago, OCruisers said:

Are you sure it's free/ included with your enterance fee?????

 

The boatyard is $25 for entrance and it includes one drink, a shuttle back to port, and the turtle/shipwreck snorkel.  

[JohninDC]

21 hours ago, OCruisers said:

Are you sure it's free/ included with your enterance fee?????

 

Did you check their web site? 

[hal2008]

Boatyard website is pretty informative but what they dont tell you is that

- they take money upfront and will not refund if you cant find umbrella/chair (or force your party to split into two corners of the beach)

When there are more ships, even their turtle tour gets full. Still, no refund.

 

There are plenty of places adjoining them where you pay similar amount (if use all amenities) but on per use basis. So, if there are no chairs/umbrella then you dont pay for them.

 

Check out Harbor lights. 

 

[ParrotheadG]

Does Harbor Lights have snorkeling equipment available or do you have to have your own?  Will it be crazy busy if there are 5 ships in port? TIA!

[hal2008]

On 1/4/2020 at 6:48 PM, ParrotheadG said:

Does Harbor Lights have snorkeling equipment available or do you have to have your own?  Will it be crazy busy if there are 5 ships in port? TIA!

 

Yes, equipment is included.

Incidently they do not advertise it as snorkling tour. They call it turtle tour.

Since distance is small, you do not waste time in going and coming.

 

We also had 5+ ship and load of 16000 people.

Boatyard was full. Even snorkling trips.

They refused to refund money.

 

So, that made us reaching Harbor Light pretty late.

But we stil lmanaged to get one chair/umbrella, had snorling tours for those who wanted and had amazingly nice time. Bathrooms were clean. Shower was handy and convenient.

No one pushed any food/drinks/services on us.

They even had nice shaded picnic areas to use free of charge.

 

If you go there directly from the ship, you will have even better time than us.