Bermuda Private Catamaran:Snorkeling, Shipwrecks & Cliff Jumping

Bermuda looks best from the water. This private catamaran trip gives your group three hours to explore the island’s turquoise bays, shipwreck sites, caves, beaches, and swimming spots without sharing the boat with strangers. I like the private format, which lets your captain shape the outing around your group, and I like that snorkel gear and a paddle board are already onboard. The main drawback is simple: three hours goes quickly when you want to snorkel, paddle, swim, see caves, and try a cliff jump.

The experience costs $1,098 per group of up to 12 people. That can be good value for a larger family or group, but less so for only two or three people. Weather also matters. Rough seas may force a change of plan, and lunch and alcoholic drinks cost extra.

The quick take

• Private boat for up to 12: Your group has the catamaran and captain to itself, with no fixed crowd or shared schedule.
• Several water activities in one outing: You can combine snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, cave viewing, shipwreck exploration, and cliff jumping.
• Bryan is a local captain: His clear communication, local knowledge, and calm approach with children and nervous swimmers receive especially strong praise.
• Good for mixed-age groups: Families ranging from young children to older adults have enjoyed the relaxed pace and choice of activities.
• Equipment is included: Bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and a paddle board are provided. Lunch and alcohol are not.
• Weather can change the plan: If seas are rough, the captain may steer you toward calmer areas or offer a new date or full refund if the trip cannot run.

Why this private Bermuda boat trip works

The strongest feature is control. Instead of joining a large boat with a set route, you tell the captain what your group wants to do. You might spend more time in the water, skip cliff jumping, focus on caves and scenery, or mix a little of everything.

That flexibility matters in Bermuda. A group with children, grandparents, confident swimmers, and cautious beginners rarely wants the same outing. Captain Bryan has been praised for helping families with children as young as four, as well as groups with members up to 80 years old. He also reassured nervous passengers who were not sure about getting on the boat.

The trip is run by New Wave Bermuda. Most praise centers on Bryan, though Captain Jonas is also named in the feedback as an excellent captain. Both are described as friendly, safety-minded, and familiar with Bermuda’s coastline and waterways.

You should think of this as a private water day rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. The focus is not on a long, narrated island tour. It is on getting you to attractive places, helping you use the equipment, and making the most of the conditions on the day.

Leaving the shore and choosing your route

The start is kept fairly easy. Select hotel pickup is available, and several groups describe meeting the catamaran close to their cruise ship. Your exact meeting point should be confirmed before departure, especially if you are visiting Bermuda on a cruise and have a tight return schedule.

Once onboard, the captain asks what your group wants from the three hours. That first conversation is important. If cliff jumping is your priority, say so early. If your group includes hesitant swimmers, young children, or older adults, explain that too.

The catamaran itself is one of the better parts of the experience. It is described as clean, well maintained, comfortable, and spacious enough for people to spread out in sun or shade. A bathroom is available onboard, a useful touch for families and anyone who prefers not to spend several hours away from shore without one.

The boat gives you a pleasant way to see Bermuda’s coast even between stops. You can listen to local stories, look toward the island, and enjoy the ride without the rush of moving from one scheduled attraction to another.

Snorkeling around shipwrecks and reefs

Snorkeling is a major reason to book this trip. The equipment is included, so you do not need to hire masks, fins, or related gear separately. Bottled water is also provided.

The water around Bermuda is known for clear visibility, and the trip visits different areas for snorkeling. The feedback describes healthy coral, many kinds of fish, and strong colors below the surface. One group also saw a sea turtle, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Shipwreck sites add a sense of purpose to the snorkeling. Rather than simply stopping at a generic swimming area, you may see remains beneath the water and hear about the surrounding coast from the captain. The exact site depends on weather and sea conditions, so you should not treat any particular wreck as guaranteed.

The captain’s role matters here. Bryan has been praised for watching swimmers closely, giving safety instructions, and helping children feel comfortable in the water. That is particularly useful if your group has mixed swimming ability. You can enjoy the reef more when you know someone is keeping track of the group.

A practical point: three hours is not long enough for unlimited time at every stop. If snorkeling is your top interest, ask the captain to give it priority before the boat leaves. You can still add a swim or paddle board session, but trying to fit every activity into one short outing may leave each stop feeling brief.

Caves, beaches, and the changing coastline

The cave stops offer a different side of Bermuda. From the water, you can look into coastal formations and hear about the island’s natural and cultural background. The cave visits are not presented as a long land excursion, so expect a boat-based look rather than a full underground tour.

The route also includes beautiful beaches and quieter coastal areas. Several outings have been tailored toward secluded spots away from heavier crowds. That is one of the quiet advantages of a private boat: you are not simply following a large group from one obvious stop to the next.

As you cruise, the captain may point out structures and places along the shore. Bryan is a Bermuda native, and his local perspective adds more than a standard list of place names. You get context while moving through the water, with the freedom to ask questions as they come up.

Conditions can alter this part of the trip. One group had rough seas during its planned shipwreck outing, so Bryan offered either a full credit to cancel or a route through calmer water. That is a good example of what you are paying for with a private captain: not a promise that every site will be reached, but a practical response when the sea does not cooperate.

Paddleboarding and swimming in clear water

The paddle board is included, and it gives you a calmer way to enjoy the stops. You can stand, kneel, or simply use it as another platform for relaxing on the water. It is a useful option for people who want activity but are not interested in jumping from rocks.

Swimming is also built into the experience. You can float, use water noodles, paddle around the boat, or stay close to the captain and your family. The mix works well for groups where one person wants a little adventure and another would rather have an easy swim.

This is one of the best reasons to book privately. Your group does not have to remain in the water for a fixed amount of time. The captain can help you decide when to move along, based on your energy, the children’s comfort, and the conditions.

Do keep your expectations sensible. The listing confirms a paddle board, not one board per person. If everyone wants to paddle at once, that may not be possible. Ask about the setup when you confirm your booking if this matters to your group.

Cliff jumping with safety first

Cliff jumping is the most exciting part of the trip for many groups, but it is also the activity that deserves the most caution. The captain takes you to locations considered safe for jumping and provides instructions before anyone goes in.

The experience is optional. You can watch, swim, snorkel, or remain on the boat while others jump. That makes the trip more flexible than an outing built only around adrenaline.

Several groups have enjoyed the jumps, including families with older children and adult children. The captain’s guidance is especially valuable because the safest place to jump depends on the site, water depth, entry point, and current conditions. Never assume that a spot is suitable simply because someone else has jumped there.

If you are bringing children, decide in advance what they are comfortable doing. The captain can help, but each person needs to make an honest choice about swimming ability and confidence. The trip works well when cliff jumping is treated as an option, not an obligation.

What the three-hour schedule really means

Three hours sounds generous until you list the possible activities. A realistic outing might include:

• A short cruise along Bermuda’s coast
• One or more snorkeling stops
• Time around a shipwreck or reef
• A cave visit from the water
• Paddleboarding and swimming
• A cliff-jumping stop
• Local commentary from the captain

You may fit in all of these, but you probably will not spend a long time at each one. If your group wants a leisurely snorkel, a full paddleboarding session, and several cliff jumps, consider asking whether a longer charter is available.

For a cruise passenger, the shorter length can be a benefit. You get a strong sample of Bermuda from the water without using the whole day. You also leave time for a meal, a walk, or another activity on shore. For a group staying several days, a longer boat booking may offer better value if your schedule allows it.

Price and group size: when the math works

The price is $1,098 for up to 12 people. That means the value improves as your group grows:

• At 12 people, the cost works out to about $91.50 per person.
• At 9 people, it is about $122 per person.
• At 6 people, it is about $183 per person.
• At 4 people, it is about $274.50 per person.

Those figures do not include lunch or alcoholic drinks. Snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, and bottled water are included, which saves you the trouble of arranging water gear separately.

For a large family, two families traveling together, or a cruise group of friends, the price can make sense. You are paying for privacy, a captain, a clean catamaran, flexible stops, and room for everyone to enjoy the day together. For a small party, a shared boat may be cheaper, though it would not offer the same control over the route or pace.

You can also request lunch onboard, but it is not part of the base price. Ask what catering options are available before the day of the trip if you want a meal included. Alcoholic beverages are also separate.

Communication, pickup, and weather planning

Communication before the trip has been a repeated strength. Bryan has been praised for answering questions promptly, explaining where to meet, and offering pickup options based on where people are staying and how their day is arranged.

That matters in Bermuda, especially for cruise passengers. Confirm the meeting point, departure time, and return plan. If your ship is in port for only one day, leave a generous buffer after the three-hour outing rather than planning to return at the last possible minute.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Service animals are allowed, the experience is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The boat includes a bathroom, but anyone with mobility concerns should confirm the boarding arrangements directly before booking, since the supplied information does not describe the boarding setup in detail.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this outing for:

• Families with different ages and swimming abilities
• Cruise passengers wanting a memorable half-day on the water
• Groups that want privacy rather than a shared excursion
• People who want several activities in one booking
• Visitors who value local conversation and flexible planning
• Confident swimmers interested in cliff jumping

It may be less suitable if you want a quiet sailing trip with no water activities. It may also disappoint you if you expect a full-day charter or guaranteed access to a specific shipwreck. The route depends on conditions, and three hours requires some choices.

Children can enjoy the trip, but parents should be realistic about water comfort and supervision. The captain helps monitor people in the water, but adults remain responsible for their children.

Should you book it?

Book this private Bermuda catamaran if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want an active, flexible outing. The best parts are the clean boat, private setting, included equipment, local captain, and ability to combine snorkeling, caves, swimming, paddleboarding, and cliff jumping in one trip.

I would be especially keen to book it for a family group or cruise party that wants a personal day rather than a standard shore excursion. Before paying, decide which activity matters most, ask about pickup, and confirm whether lunch is available. If you have only three or four people, compare the per-person cost with shared tours. If the weather looks uncertain, keep your schedule flexible.

For a large group seeking Bermuda’s best views from the sea, this is a strong choice. Just remember that the sea gets the final say, and three hours disappears fast.

FAQ

How much does the private catamaran experience cost?

The experience costs $1,098 per group, with up to 12 people included.

How long is the catamaran trip?

The trip lasts approximately three hours.

What activities are available?

You can take part in snorkeling, swimming, paddleboarding, shipwreck exploration, cave viewing, and cliff jumping, depending on conditions and your group’s preferences.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, and bottled water are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though lunch can be provided onboard as an option. Alcoholic beverages are also not included.

Can the trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.