Sea Excursions in Barbados

Minisubmarine voyages are enormously popular with families and those who enjoy watching fish but who don't wish to snorkel or dive. Party boats depart from Bridgetown's Deep Water Harbour for sightseeing and snorkeling, turtle watching, or romantic sunset cruises. Prices are $55 to $85 per person for daytime cruises and $35 to $80 for three-hour sunset cruises, depending on the type of refreshments and entertainment included; transportation to and from the dock is provided. For an excursion that may be less splashy in terms of the party atmosphere but definitely more splashy in terms of the actual experience, turtle tours allow participants to feed and swim with a resident pod of hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles.

The 48-passenger Atlantis III (Shallow Draught, Bridgetown, St. Michael. 246/436-8929. www.atlantisadventures.com) turns the Caribbean into a giant aquarium. The 45-minute underwater voyage aboard the 50-foot submarine ($100 per person, including transportation) takes you to wrecks and reefs as deep as 150 feet.

Five-hour daytime cruises along the west coast on the 100-foot MV Harbour Master (246/430-0900. www.tallshipscruises.com) stop in Holetown and land at beaches along the way; evening cruises are shorter but add a buffet dinner and entertainment. Day or night you can view the briny deep from the ship's onboard 34-seat semisubmersible. A daytime cruise on the 57-foot catamaran Heatwave (246/429-9283) includes stops along the coast for swimming and snorkeling and a barbecue lunch. The sunset cruise includes dinner.

The 44-foot CSY sailing yacht Limbo Lady (246/420-5418) sails along the captivating west coast, stopping for a swim, snorkeling, and a Bajan buffet lunch on board. Sunset cruises are another option. The 53-foot catamaran Tiami (246/430-0900. www.tallshipscruises.com) offers a luncheon cruise to a secluded bay or a romantic sunset and moonlight cruise with special catering and live music.

Outdoors Barbados (www.outdoorsbarbados.com), based in Holetown, has a 32-foot glass-bottom boat from which guests view, snorkel among, and swim with the turtles. Two trips depart daily, at 10 AM and 2 PM. They cover about 6 mi (10 km) of coastline along the west coast, cost $47 per adult, and last two hours each. Hotel transportation, cool drinks, snorkels, and masks are included.