Aquatic Adventures

Aquatic Adventures

Whether it's renting a glass-bottomed kayak for a gentle paddle over the reefs, taking a motorboat for a spin around hidden coves and inlets, or spending an adrenaline-filled afternoon wakeboarding, getting out on the water is an essential part of the Bermuda experience.

Bermuda Waterski Centre. Operated by international competitor Kent Richardson, this business, as the name suggests, is all about the waterskiing. Kent has represented Bermuda at nine World Championships and has also been in the PanAm games. He took a trick skiing bronze medal at the Latin American games, but don't be intimidated—he's also a patient teacher. He's got a ski-nautique-style boat with a full range of gear for wakeboarding, kneeboarding, and tubing. His business operates at the same location as Somerset Bridge Watersports on Robinson's marina from mid-April to October. It's $150 for the hour, $80 per half hour. That price is for the time, which is split among however many people are on the boat. He can take up to seven at a time, but three or four is usually a good number to allow a decent amount of time on the skis. Somerset Bridge, Sandys Parish. 441/234-3354.

Blue Hole Water Sports. Blue Hole, based out of the beautiful Grotto Bay hotel, has you covered in the East End of the island. For the ultimate in relaxation you can cruise the blue-green waters and soak up some rays in a SunKat, a low-powered floating deck chair. You can rent a kayak or double-kayak for $20 per hour or join one of the center's nature tours ($35 per hour). Blue Hole also offers windsurfing and sunfish sailboat rentals for around $30 per hour. There's a gorgeous sheltered beach with a small wreck sunk just off-shore for snorkelers. Grotto Bay Beach Hotel & Tennis Club, 11 Blue Hole Hill, Hamilton Parish. 441/293-2915 or 441/293-8333 Ext. 37. www.blueholewater.bm.

Fantasea. As the name suggests, this Bermudian company offers a comprehensive range of aquatic adventures. The whale-watching tours in March and April are immensely popular, and with Captain Mike Moby Dick at the helm you get close to the majestic humpbacks as they migrate north. There are various Jet Ski packages, and you can take your pick of a cruise-and-kayak or boat-and-bike ecotour for a closer look at some of the prettiest spots on the island. The three-hour Catamaran Coral Reef Snorkel aboard the luxury Aristocat costs $60, while a 90-minute sunset sail with complimentary Dark n Stormy and live music costs $50. Inshore and offshore fishing trips are also offered at $80 per person. Albuoy's Point, Hamilton. 441/236-1300. www.fantasea.bm.

Fantasea Watersports @ 9 Beaches. Based out of the beautiful 9 Beaches resort on Daniel's Head peninsula in Somerset, this is one of the best places to go in the West End to hire kayaks, sail boats, and water scooters. Formerly known as SurfShack, the rental business was taken over by Fantasea, which also runs charters from its Hamilton office.

You can rent HobieCats ($40 to $60 per hour), kayaks ($15 for an hour), or go for a more leisurely ride in a Boston whaler, with the nearby Vixen wreck—a major snorkeling attraction. You can also learn to Scuba Dive during a three day course costing $450, or a one-day Discover Scuba certification costing $115. All dives are from the beach. Glass-bottomed kayaks and under-water propulsion machines are also available for hire. 9 Beaches Resort, Daniel's Head, Somerset. 441/236-1300. www.fantasea.bm.

Pompano Beach Club. For a more relaxed aquatic experience, check out Pompano Beach Club. Several low-powered vessels are available including a Sun Kat cruiser ($35 per hour), E-Schooter boats ($30 per hour), sunfish sailboats ($20 per hour), and paddleboats ($15 per hour). Pompano also rents rafts and rubber tubes. 36 Pompano Beach Rd., Southampton Parish. 441/234-0222.

Somerset Bridge Watersports. This West End outfitter rents 13- and 15-foot Boston Whalers and is right next to Somerset Bridge. Rates are $75 for two hours, $120 for four hours, $165 for six hours, or $200 for eight hours, plus the cost of gas. For the six- and eight-hour tours you'll need to schedule a morning departure. You can also take a speed tour of the western end of the island on a Jet Ski. The tour takes you through Ely's Harbour, Mangrove Bay, and above the Sea Gardens coral formations. Groups are kept small—no more than six Jet Skiers per guide. Somerset Bridge, Sandys Parish. 441/234-0914 or 441/234-3145.

Windjammer Watersports. Based in Dockyard, Windjammer offers just about everything there is to do on the water. Windsurfing, sailing, boat rentals, Jet Ski tours, kayaking, as well as instruction from experienced mariners. You're looking at around $60 per hour for a windsurfing lesson, or if you already know what you're doing and just need to rent a board, it's $35 for the first hour and $10 an hour after that. Dockyard is a good spot to rent a motorboat, and it's easy to get to, with a fast ferry running from Hamilton every half hour during peak times. Windjammer rents 17-foot-long motorboats for $40 for the first hour, plus $20 for each additional hour. Mariners can take out a 17-foot sailboat at $65 for two hours, $90 for four, or $135 for eight. Fishing and snorkeling gear are also available. You can rent kayaks from Windjammer's Cambridge Beaches location. Dockyard Marina. 441/234-3082.