PegNDerek's Snorkeling
Where intelligent life returns to the Sea
Norman
Island Sail and Snorkel
Ship’s Excursion out of Roadtown, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Ship: Norwegian Dawn (NCL)
Sailing Date: December 19th, 2004
Date of Snorkel: December 27th, 2004
Equipment Availability: we have our own which we take with us, but snorkeling equipment is available from the catamaran’s operator, Captain Dibbs, and his talented assistant Dupee. Vests are strictly optional. All equipment appeared to be clean and well maintained.
Water Access: Ladder off the back of the catamaran.
Our group assembled on the pier in Roadtown for a rather lengthy, but mostly evenly paved, walk to Captain Dibbs’ catamaran, aptly named The Splendour, registered in Capetown, South Africa. The boat was clean and comfortable; no shoes are allowed on board—they collect them in a bin and return them to you at the end of the trip. Captain Dibbs is native to the BVI and presents an informative narration about the various islands during your sail if you ask him questions—there is no pre-set tour. The sail over to Norman Island took approximately 45 minutes under motor power since the winds were very light on this day. Snorkeling instructions for the dim-witted were not given unless you were new to snorkeling, and needed to hear them!
The site we were taken to is called the Norman Island Caves. It is a shear rock face extending approximately 150 yards along the shore of the island. The boat anchored approximately 30 yards from the site, and Dupee jumped in and guided us to the snorkeling area, staying in the vicinity of the snorkelers in case anyone needed assistance or had a question. The visibility was superb despite quite a few other snorkelers from 3 or 4 other boats also anchored nearby. Marine Life Quantity and Variety were both excellent. We saw and photographed our first Rock Beauty (gorgeous!), Spanish Hogfish, Damselfish of all shapes and sizes, numerous Parrot fish of various varieties, Wrasse, Grunts, Angelfish, Butterflies, etc… The site is shallow in many spots, but the shear drop of the rock cliffs above continues into the water, so there are drop offs extending 20 feet down in some places. Visibility is excellent throughout regardless of the water’s depth! We have rarely ever seen such a crystal clear site! Even photographs taken at greater depths came out beautifully. Peg’s Aunt, a non-snorkeler, had a wonderful time just swimming with a life ring off the back of the catamaran, and chose this opportunity to discuss booking this cruise and excursion again (“this was fun—let’s do this again next year”!!!)
Following about an hour of snorkeling, Captain Dibbs took us on to the Pirate’s Cove resort further up the coast of Norman Island for a free drink, shopping and the beach. Given more time, we might even have eaten lunch here, which seemed very appealing from the full lobster traps floating right off the boat pier!
This was one of the best snorkeling excursions we have ever taken! Highly recommended!
Snorkeling Grade: A+
