Expert: Nan - 4/10/2007

Question
Hi Nan,
I am on a Costa cruise April 22-29, arriving in Bermuda on April 25th and be there for 3 days.  I have children aged 12 and 7.  My son likes to snorkel and I'd like to get my daughter in the water as well...any suggestions?  

Answer
Hi Dee,

Well, you're certainly going to the right place!  Snorkeling is great in Bermuda.  Several places come to mind that are well-suited for children-in-the-water-fun.  And several alternatives that you might not have considered also come to mind.  

If I had only three days, here's what I'd do:

--Snorkel at Tobacco Bay (at the St. George end of Bermuda) near the St. George's Golf Course.  This may be an excursion offered by your cruise.  Check it out.  Tobacco Bay offers sheltered snorkeling, concessions, rentals, changing areas, etc.  A nice, small location for families.  Local children dive from the rocks, but I certainly don't recommend it!

--Swim at Horseshoe Bay on the South Shore.  This world-famous pink beach is large and offers concessions, etc.  A beautiful setting for boogy-boarding (sp?), swimming, etc.  And, if you're feeling adventurous and you've brought along your reef-runner type footwear to protect your feet on the rocks you'll have to climb, you can walk from Horseshoe Bay to Chaplin Bay, to Stonehole Bay, to Jobson Cove and Warwick Long Bay when the tide is right. If the tide isn't right (low), you can still walk along the trails and enjoy these less populated little coves. A note about Warwick Long Bay.  Huge parrot fish feed along the water's edge in the late afternoon.  You can see them from the beach.  Wonderful!

--Try Helmet Diving.  What a hoot for the children!  No swimming ability required.  Walk along coral reefs up to 10 feet deep.

For complete information about these ideas and more, download the diving PDF file from the Bermuda Tourism website before you go at www.bermudatourism.com.  Click on "activities" from the menu bar at the top, the choose "underwater sports."  Print the diving brochure and take it with you.  You'll find phone numbers, web addresses and more.  A great resource.

Check out the weather too.  Today (4/10) it's 70 degrees Fahrenheit.  It might be chilly, but if you're game for the water, go for it.

One other thing. If the weather doesn't cooperate for watersports or if you think it's too chilly, please do take your children to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo in Flatts Village and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.  Lots of fun.

All of these recommendations are easily accessible by taxi or bus.  If I only had 3 days, I'd take a taxi.  More expensive, but it's like having your own friendly tour guide.

Remember: safety first!  Have a wonderful trip!

Nan