Swimming with the Turtles

So we got to finally swim with the turtles!  Jessica and Megan's squeals were priceless and they loved every minute of it!

We had been debating for a while should we choose the "glass bottom" boat option or the more sleek and sexy "catamarang" option?  The cats cruise through the bays like a smooth modern sexy beast and we were really drawn to hopping on one, music blaring, drinks flowing and jumping in the water to experience one of Barbados' biggest attractions... sea turtles!  However as this was a family outing we decided on the more family friendly (in our opinion) options of the glass bottom boat! 

The day was overcast but this at least made it a bit cooler and we parked down at Holetown beach and waited to be picked up.  The boat arrived and pulled up onto the shore and we all clambered aboard.  There was a couple on the boat who had just been swimming with the turtles but as snorkeling over a reef was also part of the deal were coming with us to do that as their last part of the trip and our first part of the trip. 

We arrived at the spot and the girls were given life jackets and they donned on their masks and snorkels.  Once in the water the giggles and high pitched squeals filled the water as they were inundated with fish!  Floating over a scuttled barge (not very exciting) the fish are fed bits of bread to attract them to the snorkellers.  I am not one for feeding wild animals etc as I don't agree with them becoming dependent on humans but in this case it is far too late for that and seeing our girls excitement and big smiles I'll forget about it on this occasion!

The team from Sea Spray looked after the girls so well, especially our youngest who when she got tired sat with La Ron and rested.

After we had swum to our hearts content amongst the fish and had seen the finger corals and fire coral, scorpion fish and others we boarded our boat again and dropped the couple off back on the beach before heading out to one of the family of turtles!

This was really special for the kids as none of the big "cats" had arrived and so between ourselves and one other glass bottom boat (who were not swimming) we had the turtles to ourselves!  Soon we had 2 turtles swimming about and were happy to be touched and stared at.  The kids stayed on the surface snorkeling while hubby and I dived down happy to at one with these amazing animals. 

A great day was had by all and whilst the kids enjoyed some Sprite and Cola we enjoyed the famous Rum Punch!  So if you ever find yourself in Barbados this is definitely #1 on the list of things to do!