Outer Reef, Bermuda

“Open Water Snorkeling” Excursion out of Hamilton

Operated by Fantasea Cruises/Excursions

Ship: Zenith (Celebrity Cruises)

Sailing Date: August 11, 2001

Date of Snorkel: August 14, 2001

Equipment Availability: we have our own which we take with us, but snorkels, masks, fins and vests are provided on board, well rinsed in cleaning solution.

Water Access: From the Boat only

Fantasea Cruises/Excursions is one of the major tour operators for any water- related excursions offered off of cruise ships visiting Bermuda, especially Hamilton.  The company is obviously very successful since they have been offering excursions for the past 8 years.  The boat handlers and guides they employ are all young college students, most of them Bermuda born and raised—always very interesting for a chat to get the local perspective!  We have done two snorkeling excursions with them, as well as several of their night-time “Champagne and Lights” catamaran tours of the islands, very relaxing and yet informative—with decent champagne and plenty of it too!!

However, as good as the company and tour operators are, and the other tours that they offer, we would not recommend this particular trip.  They take you out to the outer reef off Bermuda (a very pleasant 45 minute ride on a catamaran out of Hamilton), pointing out local points of interest around the city and its surroundings.  Once out to the reef, equipment is supplied for those who need it and lessons, also for those who need it.  All of these things were fine, but the problems begin as soon as you enter the water!! Be warned that the water out here is rough, even in the most calm weather conditions, such as they were on our snorkeling date. One has to constantly clear one’s snorkel as every wave washes over your head! There are several points at which the reef approaches and/or breaks the surface, but the water is too rough to even try to get close—one could very easily and quickly find oneself smashed into the corals and rocks! The coral gardens to be seen, without a doubt, are magnificent, but the sea fauna is very poor.  The main fauna to be seen and photographed are jelly fish, locally known as “muck jellys” or “moon jellys”—no sting, and the operators told us they are lots of fun to wear on your head and then smash into blobs to scare all your friends when you are back on shore.  Other fauna was poor at best, and we both found that we spent more time with our heads out of the water clearing our snorkels and watching for larger waves. 

Snorkeling Grade: C-/D