Port Excursion: Snorkeling the Shipwrecks (Carlisle Bay, Barbados)

QUESTION: What's your favorite port excursion in Barbado?

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We're in Barbados for the second time. The first time we conveniently located Barry's Surf to rent surfboards and check out their beginner break. This time, we were aboard the Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas 11-night Southern Caribbean cruise. We wanted to surf in Barbados again but windy weather got in the way. So Plan B and according 9 Best Things to Do in Barbados (by US News & World Report) Carlisle Bay offers "...six shipwrecks also make this area a great spot for snorkeling... can rent water sports equipment like kayaks and jet skis from local vendors, or arrange for beachside horseback riding. Umbrellas, lounge chairs and towels are available for a fee as well." We're in!

Photo-Ops at Barbados Cruise Terminal

Carlisle Bay - The Boatyard - Brownes Beach

Best News: Carlisle Bay's beaches sit about 2 miles southwest of downtown Bridgetown.

Simply, exit the cruise port area then, hop on a shared taxi/shuttle van for $5/per person for a short 10 minute ride to be dropped off at The Boatyard (the 1st stop). It's the northern end of the bay and more specifically Brownes Beach. Take note of this because our taxi driver was most unpleasant. In my mind I was thinking - Yuh gawh be kiddin. Originally, all we knew to tell the taxi service is that we wanted to go to Carlisle Beach. We got to the 2nd stop and needed to confirm and another passenger who sounded very familiar with the area said we should've gotten off at the previous stop and that the taxi driver should've communicated that. She also missed the same stop. We opted to get off, pay him and get started on our beach day before arguing with the grumpy driver.

It was so hassle-free once we arrived. For $20/person we got:

FREE transportation back to the ship
FREE Wifi
A welcome drink
Our beach chairs & umbrella
There were freshwater showers & restrooms
and BEST OF ALL a shipwreck snorkel tour!

The beach is gorgeous and somehow - uncrowded!

~10°F cooler under the umbrella... Blissful.

Which welcome drink would you order?

VIDEO: Summary of our Snorkel in Aquamarine Waters

I believe we were visiting - The Wreck of the Berwyn because it was in shallow depths (~20 to 25ft to the ocean floor). "Deliberately sunk in 1919 by a mutinous crew rebelling against their captain’s decision to leave Barbados, the vessel is now completely enveloped by almost 100 years of growth and has become a heaven for marine life." –Wanderlusters

First Time: Spotted a Cuttlefish while Snorkeling in St Lucia

A Gradual, Sloping and Uncrowded Descent Dive in Curacao (Willemstad, Curaçao)