Barbados - Catamaran Trip

Hi, I wonder if anybody can offer a good recommendation.
Last year on our Hols in Barbados we booked the Virgin catamaran cruise. What a mistake! It was with Tiami and there were between 60 and 70 people crammed on the cat like sardines. Nowhere to sit and with 60+ people in the water, no chance of even a glimpse of a turtle. The whole trip was a real let down.
We'd really like to swim with turtles and with so many people rating these trips highly, I was interested in any alternative recommendations to the Virgin trip that maybe use smaller boats and limit the no of passengers?

Regards,

D.

We have been on Calabaza in the last couple of years. Max 12 passengers and great food & drink. Highly recommended

We have been on Calabaza in the last couple of years. Max 12 passengers and great food & drink. Highly recommended

Many thanks, looked them up and they sound ideal.

D.

If you want to swim with turtles one of the small operators from the beach is a fantastic alternative to the circus trips.

For $40 we got a 2 hour trip, swimming with the fish over a wreck and then on to the turtles where we had 20 minutes or so with just us and this wonderful creatures. There were 20 or 30 turtles of all ages.
No snacks I'm afraid but under these circumstances it made no difference.

There's only one company that I use in Barbados - Silver Moon .

DL

Thanks all.
We prefer a full day trip and Calabaza and Silver Moon both look to have good reviews and look to be what we are after.

D.

I am a regular visitor to Barbados and can thoroughly recommend Calabaza for an afternoon cruise. Gina and her crew are top class. She makes all the excellent food herself and it is way beyond what you would expect.
They will collect you from your hotel or house/apartment early in the morning at about 8.30am and transport you to the boat. The Calabaza is a top quality boat and the maximum amount of guests is 12. You will be guaranteed to see and swim with the turtles away from the other crowded catamarans. The guys on board will help anyone who is a little nervous too.
There is also a stop for swimming and snorkelling over a reef.
You will cruise up the West coast in style and return back to Bridgetown about 2pm. They also transport you directly back to your accomodation. I have been on a few of these cats over the years and the Calabaza is the best. Book early!!

Calabaza booked up for August.

Many thanks all.

D.