Good Times Too Premium Catamaran Lunch Cruise

Sea turtles are only part of the story. The Good Times Too offers a relaxed way to spend five hours off Barbados, pairing a limited-size catamaran cruise with turtle snorkeling, reef fish, a buffet lunch, and an open bar. I like the small maximum of 20 people, which can make the boat feel more personal than a large party cruise, and I like that snorkeling gear, food, and drinks are included. The main caution is simple: one serious service failure has been reported, involving a missed pickup and no prompt response, so confirm your pickup details carefully.

You meet at Surfside Restaurant & Bar behind the Holetown Post Office at 9:30 a.m., unless your hotel qualifies for pickup. The outing ends back at the same meeting point. At $154 per person, this is not a budget boat trip, but the package covers a lot: transport in selected cases, a five-hour cruise, equipment, lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and guided time in the water.

Key points at a glance

• Turtle snorkeling before the crowds: The cruise aims to reach a sea turtle site early, with a guide in the water.
• A maximum of 20 people: This keeps the outing more intimate than many large catamaran sails.
• Three chances to get in the water: Several accounts describe multiple swim or snorkeling stops, though the exact route can vary.
• Fresh Caribbean buffet lunch: Expect fish, baked chicken, sides, salads, and vegetarian or vegan choices.
• Open bar for the full cruise: Premium alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are included, with rum punch receiving special praise.
• Professional, attentive crew: Captains and crew members such as Gavin, Lester, Aiden, Jabari, Mikaela, Jamie, and others have been singled out for friendly service.

Why this cruise works well for a Barbados day

I see the Good Times Too as a middle ground between a basic shared boat trip and an expensive private charter. You get a polished catamaran, a smaller group, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and help in the water without having to organize each part yourself.

The west coast of Barbados is a good setting for this kind of outing. You spend the day looking back at the island from the sea, with Caribbean music, warm water, and steady breezes. The trip is not only about ticking off a turtle sighting. It also gives you several hours to swim, float, eat, talk, and enjoy the boat.

The limited capacity matters. A boat carrying no more than 20 people still gives you a social experience, but it is less likely to feel like a floating crowd. Some outings have had around 15 people, and the small group helped the catamaran feel close to a private charter.

That said, the experience depends heavily on the crew and sea conditions. Most of the feedback is extremely positive, with a 4.9 rating and 99 percent recommendation rate, but one account describes a missed pickup, a long wait, and difficulty reaching the operator. That is a serious exception, yet it is worth taking seriously. Keep your booking confirmation handy and make sure you know exactly where pickup will occur.

Arriving at Holetown and getting aboard

The standard meeting point is Surfside Restaurant & Bar, behind the Holetown Post Office in Saint James. The stated start time is 9:30 a.m. Select hotel pickup is offered, and the included transport is described as an air-conditioned vehicle.

The boarding process may involve a short transfer from the beach to the catamaran by small motorboat. One account describes six people at a time being taken from shore to the main boat. That detail matters if you dislike getting wet before the cruise begins or need extra help moving between boats.

Once aboard, you can settle into the catamaran and take in the coast from the water. The vessel has been described as clean, comfortable, and in excellent shape, with plenty of seating for a small group. You should still bring a towel and sun lotion, since those are not included.

The boat is presented as a luxury catamaran, but this is not a private yacht charter. You share the space, the bar, the lunch service, and the swimming areas with the other people booked that day. The tradeoff is good value and a friendly atmosphere.

The first sail along west Barbados

The opening sail is the calmest part of the day. You move along the west coast with music playing, drinks available, and the island slipping by from a different angle. The five-hour schedule leaves room for both activity and downtime, which is important on a hot Caribbean day.

You do not have to snorkel every time the boat stops. People who prefer to swim, float, or stay aboard can still enjoy the cruise. This makes the outing more flexible than a trip built only around underwater activity.

The crew’s attentiveness is a major part of the appeal. Several accounts describe staff offering drinks regularly, checking on people, helping nervous swimmers, and keeping the mood light. Names connected with different outings include Captain Gavin, Captain Lester, Captain Chad, Aiden, Jabari, Jamie, Mikaela, Lulu, Andre, Shaq, and O. Crew assignments can change, but the repeated praise suggests that service is central to the Good Times Too experience.

Music and conversation add to the atmosphere. This is a social cruise, not a silent nature outing. If you want a quiet, private sail, a charter would suit you better. If you enjoy meeting people and having a crew that keeps the day moving, the shared format is a strength.

Meeting the turtles in the water

The main event is snorkeling with sea turtles off west Barbados. The cruise is timed to reach a turtle site before the busiest period when possible, though wildlife and sea conditions can never be guaranteed.

A guide enters the water with the group. That is especially useful if you are new to snorkeling or feel unsure in open water. One account describes a crew member staying close to a first-time snorkeler, while another describes staff helping a person who could not swim feel comfortable enough to participate.

Some outings include feeding the turtles, and people have also seen stingrays and large numbers of colorful fish. You should remember that these are wildlife encounters, not a private aquarium visit. The animals may move, the water may be less clear on a particular day, and the number of turtles can vary.

You may get more than one chance to snorkel. One account describes three opportunities, including a turtle stop and a reef area. The extra water time is valuable because it reduces the pressure to get everything right on the first attempt.

The snorkeling suits mixed groups well. Strong swimmers can explore near the guide, while less confident swimmers can stay close to the crew or simply float. Non-swimmers are not automatically left out, but you should tell the crew about your comfort level before entering the water.

The main drawback is that the water portion is not designed as a technical reef expedition. The focus is easygoing wildlife viewing, swimming, and fun rather than advanced marine instruction. If your priority is a long, serious reef session, check the exact route before booking.

Lunch with a view of the Caribbean

Lunch is served onboard as a Caribbean buffet. The stated menu includes fresh fish, baked chicken, sides, and salads, with vegetarian and vegan options available.

The food receives some of the strongest praise. It is described as fresh, plentiful, and delicious, with food brought aboard from land. That makes a real difference after swimming. You are not trying to stretch a small snack until the boat returns.

A buffet also works well for a mixed group. You can choose a full plate, take lighter portions, or return for more. If you have dietary needs, the vegetarian and vegan choices are useful, but I would still tell the operator in advance rather than relying on the buffet to solve every requirement.

Lunch is part of the value calculation. At $154, you are not paying only for the boat and turtle stop. You are also covering a proper meal, an open bar, equipment, and several hours of crew service. If you would otherwise pay separately for a meal, drinks, transportation, and a snorkeling trip, the price becomes easier to justify.

The open bar and the relaxed afternoon pace

Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are included throughout the five-hour outing. The bar is described as premium, and specific praise has gone to rum punch, passion fruit with Malibu, strong mixed drinks, sodas, and other soft drinks.

The open bar adds to the holiday mood, but pace yourself. Swimming in the sun and drinking freely can catch up with you quickly. I would have water and nonalcoholic drinks between cocktails, especially before and after snorkeling.

You do not need to drink alcohol to enjoy the trip. Soft drinks and other nonalcoholic choices are included, so the cruise can work for families and mixed groups. The atmosphere is fun rather than formal, with the crew often joking, chatting, and encouraging people to enjoy the day.

This is also where the cruise can feel more like a social celebration than a nature trip. Birthday groups, couples, families, and adult friends have all found room for their own style of day. A 50th birthday outing, in particular, was praised for the crew’s effort and warm treatment.

How the $154 price compares with the experience

The price is high enough that you should compare it with what is actually included. For $154 per person, you receive approximately five hours on the water, snorkeling gear, a guide in the water, a buffet lunch, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and selected hotel pickup.

The limited group size is another part of the value. A private charter would give you more control, but it would normally cost far more for a group. Here, you share the boat while still getting a more personal feel than a large cruise.

The price is less convincing if you do not plan to swim, eat much, or drink. You can still enjoy the scenery and music, but much of the package is built around water time, lunch, and bar service. For a person who wants only a short scenic sail, a simpler harbor cruise may be a better fit.

For a full half-day on the sea, though, the package is strong. The combination of turtle snorkeling, several water stops, a real lunch, and attentive service explains why many people consider it worth booking again on a return visit to Barbados.

Who should book this catamaran cruise

I would recommend Good Times Too to couples, families, and small groups who want one easy day covering several Barbados highlights. It is especially suitable if you want sea turtles but do not want to arrange a separate boat, equipment rental, guide, meal, and drinks.

You should also consider it if you are a nervous snorkeler. The guide-in-the-water setup and repeated offers of help can make the difference between staying aboard and enjoying the water. Non-swimmers can participate in the swimming stops with crew assistance, though you should be open about your ability before entering the sea.

This is less suitable if you want solitude, a strict timetable, or a serious underwater expedition. The music, social setting, and open bar create a lively holiday atmosphere. The exact number of stops and wildlife sightings can change with weather and sea conditions.

Bring a towel, sun lotion, and a mobile ticket. Wear something comfortable for boarding from the beach, and keep your expectations flexible. The sea decides some of the schedule.

Booking, weather, and the one important caution

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The cruise requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you should be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of bookings is not reached, the same choice applies.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since one reported outing involved a missed pickup and failed contact, I would check the confirmation, meeting point, and pickup arrangement before the morning of the cruise. That small bit of preparation can prevent a very frustrating start.

Should you book Good Times Too?

Book it if you want a polished, social half-day with turtles, reef fish, lunch, and an open bar in one package. The best reasons to choose it are the small group limit, repeated water stops, strong food, and a crew that makes a clear effort to help beginners and keep the day enjoyable.

I would skip it only if you want a private boat, a quiet sail, or a low-cost excursion. For everyone else, $154 is a fair price for a five-hour outing that handles the details for you. Confirm your pickup carefully, bring sun protection, and let the crew guide you toward the turtles.

FAQ

Where does the Good Times Too cruise start?

The standard meeting point is Surfside Restaurant & Bar behind the Holetown Post Office in Holetown, Saint James, Barbados.

What time does the cruise begin?

The stated start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Select hotel pickup is offered. The included transport is described as an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a Caribbean buffet with fresh fish, baked chicken, sides, and salads. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The package includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks through a premium bar.

What should you bring?

Bring a towel and sun lotion. These are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.