REVIEW · BERMUDA

Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping

★ 5.0 · 98 reviews Operated by New Wave Bermuda · Bookable on Viator
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Three hours can change your Bermuda day. This private catamaran trip gives you a small, flexible way to see Bermuda from the water, with time for snorkeling, shipwrecks, caves, paddleboarding, swimming, and cliff jumping. I especially like the private boat and the chance to shape the outing around your group, rather than follow a fixed crowd schedule.

I also like that captain Bryan and captain Jonas have been praised for calm instruction, local knowledge, and close attention to families. The main drawback is the short three-hour window. With several activities competing for your time, you may wish you had booked a longer outing, especially if your group includes both eager swimmers and people who simply want to relax onboard.

Key things to know before booking

Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping - Key things to know before booking

  • Private catamaran for up to 12 people: Your group has the boat to itself, which makes the trip more personal and easier to tailor.
  • Snorkel gear and paddleboard included: You do not need to arrange separate equipment rentals.
  • Shipwrecks, caves, and cliff jumps: The route can combine active water time with sightseeing along Bermuda’s coast.
  • Strong family appeal: Groups ranging from children as young as four to adults in their seventies have enjoyed the outing.
  • Local captains matter: Bryan and Jonas have earned praise for safety guidance, island knowledge, and good communication.
  • Weather can change the plan: Rough seas may require a different route, a new date, or a full refund.

Why a private catamaran works so well in Bermuda

Bermuda is best appreciated from the water. From a catamaran, you can see the coast from a fresh angle, reach swimming areas that are awkward to visit by land, and move between activities without repacking beach gear every hour.

The private setup is the main advantage. You are not sharing the boat with a busload of strangers, so your group can tell the captain what matters most. If your children want paddleboards, your teenagers want cliff jumps, and your parents want a quiet ride and a swim, the captain can help find a workable balance.

That flexibility has real value for families and mixed-age groups. One group included people from age seven to eighty, while another included children as young as four. The captains also helped nervous passengers feel more comfortable getting onboard and entering the water.

The catamaran itself has been described as clean, well maintained, and comfortable, with room to sit in sun or shade. A bathroom onboard is another useful feature, especially for families and larger groups. You also get bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and a paddleboard as part of the outing.

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Setting out with Bryan or Jonas

Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping - Setting out with Bryan or Jonas

Captain Bryan is the name most closely associated with this experience, and his role goes beyond steering the boat. He has been praised for quick communication before the trip, early arrival, local stories, and an easy manner with children.

Captain Jonas has also received strong praise for patience, safety, and showing groups around the island. If you are assigned one of these captains, expect a personal briefing about your options before the boat moves into the day’s activities.

That early conversation matters. You can explain if your group prefers more snorkeling, more beach time, paddleboarding, cliff jumping, or a slower cruise. The route is not described as one rigid sequence, so conditions and group interest can shape the day.

Some groups have been picked up close to their cruise ship, while the experience also offers select hotel pickup. Confirm your meeting point carefully before the day, particularly if you are visiting Bermuda during a cruise stop. A clear pickup plan helps you protect every minute of the three-hour outing.

Snorkeling over reefs and shipwrecks

Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping - Snorkeling over reefs and shipwrecks

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to book this trip. Bermuda’s clear water allows you to see fish and coral without needing a full-day expedition, and the included equipment removes one more planning chore.

Groups have reported seeing many kinds of fish, colorful reef areas, and, in at least one outing, a sea turtle. Those sightings are never guaranteed, but the captain’s choice of location can make a major difference. Bryan has been praised for taking groups to more than one snorkeling area, which gives you a better chance of finding good conditions.

The shipwreck portion adds a sense of discovery. You are not only swimming over a reef. You may also visit wreck sites and learn about the area as you move through Bermuda’s waters. The exact wrecks and route can change, particularly when seas are rough, so think of this as a flexible shipwreck and reef outing rather than a guaranteed visit to one named vessel.

That flexibility proved useful for one group that faced rough seas on the planned shipwreck route. Bryan offered the choice of cancelling with full credit or moving to calmer parts of the trip. That is the sort of practical judgment you want on a boat excursion.

If you are new to snorkeling, tell the captain. Several families appreciated the reassurance and guidance given to children. You can enjoy the water at your own pace, but you should still be comfortable following basic safety instructions and swimming conditions.

Caves, cliffs, and Bermuda’s clear water

Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping - Caves, cliffs, and Bermuda’s clear water

The cave stops give the trip a change of pace. Instead of spending the entire outing floating in open water, you may move close to rocky coastal areas and hear about the caves and the island around them.

The exact cave route is not fixed in the supplied details, so do not expect a formal underground tour. Think of it as a boat-based look at Bermuda’s coastal formations, with the captain explaining what you are seeing. Several groups singled out the cave exploration as one of the most memorable parts of the outing.

Cliff jumping is the biggest thrill on the menu. The captains direct groups toward suitable jumping points and explain how to approach them safely. That guidance is important because the activity is optional, and the right spot depends on water conditions and your comfort level.

You do not have to jump to enjoy the boat. You can swim, use a noodle, paddleboard, or remain onboard while others take the plunge. This makes the outing more practical for mixed groups than a trip built around one single activity.

I would treat cliff jumping as a bonus, not the main promise. Conditions may affect the available location, and not every member of your group will want to participate. The captains’ safety focus is reassuring, but you still need to make your own judgment about your ability and comfort.

Paddleboarding and unhurried swimming

Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping - Paddleboarding and unhurried swimming

The paddleboard adds a quieter kind of fun. After snorkeling or a cliff jump, you can stand up, balance, and explore the water near the boat. Children and adults have both enjoyed this part, and it gives non-jumpers something active to do.

Swimming is equally important. The experience is not a race from one attraction to another. The captain can stop at attractive water areas for a swim, and several groups enjoyed simply being in the turquoise water and using noodles.

This is where the private format earns its keep. A public boat trip may need to follow a tight timetable. Here, your captain can listen to your group and adjust the balance between action and rest, within the limits of three hours.

Still, three hours passes quickly. A realistic group may fit in several activities, but you should not expect long sessions at every stop. If snorkeling is your top priority, say so at the start. If your family wants to try everything, begin promptly and avoid spending too much time deciding once you are underway.

What the $1,098 group price really means

Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping - What the $1,098 group price really means

The price is $1,098 per group of up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to $91.50 per person. For six people, the effective cost is $183 per person, and smaller groups pay more per head.

That makes the trip most attractive for a larger family, two families traveling together, or a group of friends. You are paying for a private boat, a captain, included snorkel equipment, a paddleboard, bottled water, and the freedom to set priorities as a group.

For a couple or a small party, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is especially important. A shared boat may cost less, but it will not offer the same control over the route or the same ease for a group with different ages and abilities.

Lunch is not included, although onboard lunch can be arranged as an option. Alcoholic drinks are also not included. Ask about food and drink arrangements before departure so you know exactly what is covered and what will cost extra.

The strongest value comes from using the boat well. With 10 to 12 people, the group rate becomes much more reasonable. You also avoid separate charges for snorkeling gear and a paddleboard, though the real saving is time and convenience.

Who will enjoy this most

Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping - Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this outing to families, cruise passengers, and groups of friends who want more than a simple sightseeing cruise. It is especially well suited to groups with mixed interests because one person can swim while another paddleboards, snorkels, jumps, or rests in the shade.

Children can enjoy the water with close supervision, and older adults can take part without needing to jump or snorkel. The captains’ patient approach has helped nervous passengers, but you should still tell the crew about anyone who is uneasy around boats or open water.

It also suits people who want local context along with recreation. Bryan has shared information about Bermuda’s coastline, buildings, caves, and waterways while cruising. You get a sense of place rather than only a series of swimming stops.

This is less suitable if you want a full-day sailing trip, a formal scuba excursion, or a guaranteed route to one specific shipwreck. It is also not ideal for someone who dislikes changing plans based on wind and sea conditions.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping - Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The experience lasts about three hours, so plan carefully if you are visiting from a cruise ship. Allow enough time to find the meeting point and return to the ship after the outing, even if pickup is arranged close by.

Confirmation normally arrives at booking. If you book within four hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted and the amount paid is not refunded.

The weather rule is not a minor technicality. Rough seas can affect shipwreck access and the comfort of the ride. A captain may offer calmer locations instead, as happened for one group, but you should be prepared for the route to change.

Should you book New Wave Bermuda?

Book this private catamaran if you want a flexible water day with snorkeling, caves, shipwrecks, paddleboarding, and optional cliff jumping. The high satisfaction comes from the captains, the clean boat, the private setting, and the way the outing works for several generations at once.

I would book it for a full group, especially if you are sharing the $1,098 cost among eight or more people. I would also tell the captain your top two priorities before departure, since three hours is not enough for endless time at every stop.

Skip it if your budget is tight for a small party, if you need a fixed itinerary, or if you want a longer sailing day. For the right group, though, this is one of Bermuda’s more useful ways to combine scenery, local insight, and real time in the water.

FAQ

How long is the private catamaran experience?

The outing lasts approximately three hours.

How much does the catamaran cost?

The price is $1,098 per group, with up to 12 people included.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, so only your group participates.

What activities are available?

The experience can include snorkeling, shipwreck visits, cave exploration, paddleboarding, swimming, and optional cliff jumping.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included, along with bottled water.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but an onboard lunch option may be available.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and rough seas may lead to a different route or a cancellation.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

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