Scenic Speed-Boat Snorkel Tour

I booked this excursion back in Oct. 2022 for a cruise we were going on in May 2023. The night before the trip, I received an email that we were to meet in a different location. Not being familiar at all, this was concerning because we already had minimal time from when we docked to get to the location for the boat ride to the snorkel. St. Kitts Water Sports offered a $25 discount for our trouble. We had to get a taxi which was super stressful at the port (very disorganized). Anyway, we made it to the correct beach. Checked in and paid (I don't think I got the discount). Went to the boat (no shade) and got to the snorkeling area. There was a shipwreck so there were lots of fish to see and the water was pretty calm. My only complaint was that the entire group was so far ahead of my husband and I that we missed out on any information about the area, then the group left without any warning and were already back on the boat. I was getting tired so it took me longer to swim back. I didn't like the fact that they just left us. I probably wouldn't go again.

The tour was not as advertised! We arrived at the beach club on our own as instructed only to find there wasnt a high speed boat anywhere to be seen. We inquired inside the beach club and was told that there was an area at the end of the beach with jet Skiies, called St. Kitts water sports and they would direct us from there. We have used Viatour several times before and it was usually someone with a Viatour sign who would meet us, so without inquiring we would have no way of knowing who the operator was. When we approached St.Kitts water sports we were informed that the high speed boat was in for maintenence and we would be going out on jet skiis, that we had to operate. My husband had driven one twice on a lake and I had never been on one. We had nowhere to leave our bags with towels, money, etc. because we couldnt take anyrhing on a jet ski including our prescription sunglasses which we both need to see. Sandy asked my husband if he had received a memo regarding the change in transportation. We hadnt nor did we ever. When I expressed displeasure and dissapointment with a lot of hesitation, Sandy informed us that jet skiies is a more expensive excursion than a boat tour. We were stuck because we had no time to book anything else and had been looking forward to snorkelling at Shittens Bay. The other surprise was that it was only my husband and I who were taking this tour. We were expecting a group tour. But since our options were limited, with no other means to get to Shiitens Bay, we decided to try to go with the flow,with an open mind. We were given a briefing on how to operate the jet ski, with a warning that we would have to pay $200.00 if we tipped it. We were also told if we feel like we're tipping jump off and on one occasion during this excursion, we did. So my husband was given a jet ski, " Just out of service", to try out. Within minutes the check engine light with a warning came on and my husband returned it to shore. Eventually it was swapped out for another jet ski that had also " Just come out of service". We climbed on, and proceeded to follow our guide who was on his own jet ski ahead of us. Needless to say operating one in a lake, at a cottage, which are typically on very small smooth lakes, is nothing like taking one out on the open ocean. Going at a high speed, with two foot swells, and trying not to tip over, was not a relaxing or pleasurable experience. The snorkelling part of this tour was okay, but more problems arose on the way back. After mounting the jet ski, lifting yourself up on the slippery back, I'm 67 years old, luckily in pretty good shape, but still no spring chicken, our jet ski started to sputter and lost power. We restarted and the same thing happened several times. Our guide realized we weren't behind him and came back for us. We swithched jet skiis and the same happened to him. Now there were three of us, miles away from shore with only one working jet ski. Our guide decided to try to tow the disabled jet ski with my husband on it. Our tow rope was not a rope but a string that broke after about two minutes. Luckily our guide then spotted an operator from his company testing a jet ski "Just out of service", and flagged him down. We were saved or so we thought. My husband climbed onto the back of the " rescue" jet ski, I climbed on with our guide and they proceeded to return to shore. ( All this climbing off and on, was giving me bruises) I stayed behind with our guide in order to tie up the disabled jet ski. A few minutes later my husband and " rescue" jet ski returned because that jet ski had also broken down. As the employees were deliberating what to do with two broken jet skiis, my husband reminded them that we were still there, and were very interested in returning to shore. My husband instructed them to take me back first on the one working jet ski, and then return for him. We were coming from a cruise ship and we were keeping in mind that we eventually would like to return to it, preferably in one piece. My experience on the back of the jet ski going back was as terrifying as on the way out. In order to control the jet ski, speed was imperative, but hanging onto someone from the back, your body bouncing up and down, with sea water hitting you in the face, would never be our choice of transportation, and the REASON, we booked a boat. Viatour or St. Kitts water sports, please resend the memo about about the change of transportation, we would really like to see it. By the way when we returned to shore we spotted the St. Kitts speed boat, getting prepared for either para sailing or some other type of excursion. In my opinion the cost incurred by taking only two people out on a speed boat from a finanicial stand point did not make sense for the company. Much cheaper for them to run us out on the jet skiis. The following day we had a snorkelling tour through our ship on a lovely boat, where we could relax with refreshments. Quite the change and although we have booked through Viatour before without any hitches, this experience has given us a reason to pause before we make a booking like this in the future. Holiday excursions should not incurr this kind of stress. I believe our guide apologized once, however once we returned to shore nothing was said to us and we were left to ourselves to collect our belonging that we left behind.

Otto was excellent and a lot of fun. We chose this tour as it focused only on snorkeling and it did NOT disappoint. We had plenty of water time and saw a wide range of fish. We definitely recommend taking this tour.

We used St. Kitts Water Sports for the boat snorkel tour and the nighttime kayaking. We had the same tour guide, Alex, for both and he was really amazing. He made the experience so easy and shared so much history of St. Kitts with us. We had such a blast with both activities. Highly recommend!

My wife and I did the Jet Ski Snorkel adventure and it was great. It was a small group (just four of us). Our two guides made sue that we were safe at all times, while also ensuring we had fun. During the snorkel, Shane, one of the guides helped us to find and identify various marine life in the area (most tours just drop you in the water and go). He even grabbed and cleaned an empty conch shell for us to bring home as a souvenir. And when the tour was done, the beach upon which they are located was a wonderful lace to round out the day. Definitely worth the visit if you are in the area. I highly recommend them.