Cobbler’s Cove, Barbados

(Tiami 5 Star Catamaran and Turtles)

Ship’s Excursion out of Bridgetown, Barbados

Ship: Norwegian Spirit (NCL)

Sailing Date: December 21, 2006

Date of Snorkel: December 26, 2006

Equipment Availability: We have our own which we take with us, but all equipment is available for loan on board the Catamaran, including solid black vests—a most unusual color for snorkeling vests! All equipment to borrow appeared to be clean and well maintained, although we heard any number of people grumble that their masks were too small to fit their noses.

Water Access: Catamaran and Beach

This was a 5 hour trip and expensive for a shore excursion ($85 per person), but it was well worth the price. Buses from the Bridgetown Pier take passengers to the Tiami head office, about a 10 minute ride away.  One is greeted by an exceptionally friendly staff offering either Orange Juice and/or Champagne.  Shoes must be removed before boarding the Catamaran, the Tiami 2, under the command of Captain Chris in our case. We were surprised that the bar (all drinks included) was open for business for the entire length of our trip—snorkeling trip vendors will usually not allow you to have alcoholic beverages until after your have had your swim.

Our first stop was about 400 yards off the beach at Cobbler’s Cove to see the turtles.  Guides from the Catamaran provision the turtles with bits of herring, and we were thrilled to see about 20 different animals. A large porcupine puffer fish (gray and white with gorgeous black lips) put in an appearance, along with any number of Terepin fish, who were hitching a ride on the under side of virtually all of the turtles. Peg also got some good shots of a flounder as well. BE WARNED:  the appearance of the turtles makes for a lot of excited passengers all pushing and shoving to get a better look—or touch of one—which is technically not allowed, although the crew members in the water with us made no effort to stop people from trying to touch the animals or hitch a ride on one.  No fins are allowed at the site; they might hit the turtles.  We were also annoyed that any number of fellow passengers seemed to take great pleasure in sticking their hands right in front of our camera lenses! One passenger even slapped the snorkel right out of Derek’s mouth. Makes you wonder why people can be so vicious, especially on the day after Christmas! 

The second stop entailed driving the catamaran into the Cobbler’s Cove beach, about a 5 minute ride in to the beach from the anchorage where we had seen the turtles.  One of the guides took a small group of snorkelers (anyone who wanted to snorkel again) out to the reef—about a 100 yard swim away from the beach.  The reef was exceptionally well developed with an incredible variety of corals, including some of the largest Brain Corals we have ever seen.  Visibility was only good, but fortunately the site is quite shallow, which helped with photography. This area must be a damselfish breeding ground; we saw literally hundreds of animals, and in many varieties including Dusky, Olive, and Yellow-Tail. Baby Sergeant Majors were also very much in evidence.  Other species included Tang, Spanish Hogfish, Princess Parrot, Grunts and a few Squirrel Fish.  En route back into the beach Peg encountered our first Spiked Porcupine Puffer Fish—an amazing sight, and it lay still for quite some time while she shot photographs.

Lunch back on board the Tiami 2 Catamaran featured absolutely delicious Fish, Grilled Chicken, Rice, Mac&Cheese, and several salads with more free drinks.  Our sail back to the Tiami pier in Bridgetown was spoiled by a sudden rain storm, but most passengers thought it was fun to wash off the salt water by simply standing outside of the covered areas of the vessel.

Snorkeling Grade:

Turtles A

Reef Swim B