Rising Son Catamaran: Sail, Snorkel & Kayak in Bermuda

Choose your own water: sail, snorkel the reef or paddle the bay

Spend an afternoon sailing the Great Sound from King's Wharf on the Rising Son II catamaran, with snorkel gear, kayaks and paddleboards available at a secluded anchorage. The crew provides a safety briefing and snorkeling instruction, then you have 1.5 hours to explore the reef, paddle the bay or swim near the sandbar. One rum swizzle cocktail is included after you return to the boat; the whole outing runs three hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bermuda catamaran and snorkeling cruise

• Board catamaran at King’s Wharf
• Sail into the Great Sound
• Relax on trampoline, deck, or cockpit
• Anchor at secluded swimming spot
• Receive safety briefing and snorkeling instructions
• Snorkel above reef or kayak and paddleboard
• Enjoy 1.5 hours of water activities
• Return to catamaran for rum swizzle cocktail
• Cruise back to wharf with tropical music

The Experience

The Rising Son II leaves King's Wharf in Sandys on Bermuda's northwest tip and sails into the Great Sound for about an hour. You can lounge on the trampoline nets, stretch out on the upper deck or sit in the shade of the cockpit while the crew handles the sails. When the boat reaches the swimming site, the anchor drops and the crew walks you through a safety briefing and snorkeling basics before you gear up.

Once in the water, you decide what to do with 1.5 hours. Snorkel above the nearby reef to watch the local marine life, or skip the snorkel and grab a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore the bay, the beach and the sandbar on your own terms. The gear is all there—mask, fins, snorkel, paddles—and the crew stays on hand. If you want to float and do nothing, that works too.

The sail back to the wharf includes a complimentary rum swizzle cocktail to mark the end of the afternoon. Tropical music plays on board, and the bar sells additional drinks if you want them. The whole experience runs three hours from departure to return.

What’s included

• Use of snorkel gear, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
• one complimentary rum swizzle cocktail after the swim.
• safety briefing and snorkeling instruction from the crew.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Island Tour Centre

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants to stay in one spot where everyone can do different things at the same time—some snorkel the reef, others paddle or swim, all without splitting up.

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Top questions

What's the water like at the snorkeling site in the Great Sound?

The reef near the anchorage holds local marine life visible from the surface; the crew provides snorkel instruction before you enter the water, and you have the option to kayak or paddleboard instead if you prefer not to snorkel.

How much time do I actually spend in the water?

You have 1.5 hours at the anchorage to swim, snorkel, kayak or paddleboard; the crew gives a safety briefing first, then you're free to choose how to spend the time.

What equipment is included?

Snorkel gear (mask, fins and snorkel), kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are all provided; one rum swizzle cocktail is included after the swim, and additional drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar.

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The Rising Son II leaves from King's Wharf in Sandys parish on Bermuda's northwest tip; public transportation options are available nearby.

Is there a guide on board?

Yes, a live English-speaking guide leads the outing and provides snorkeling instruction at the anchorage.

What if I don't want to snorkel?

Snorkeling is optional; you can kayak, paddleboard, swim near the sandbar or simply relax on the boat during your 1.5 hours at the anchorage.