Norman Island Snorkeling

[amy2313]

Has anyone taken the excursion to Norman Island to snorkel?? This will be our first time in Tortola and we are worried that if we book this excursion our entire day will be shot. We are only in Tortola from 7am - 2:00pm. We would like to see the island but we are also big snorkelers and are not sure if it would be that much more beneficial for us to take a boat tour out to Norman to snorkel vs. finding a snorkel spot from one of Tortola's beaches as not everyone in my group snorkels.

I guess what we really would love to do is take a boat out to the reef, snorkel for an hour or so and then have enough time to check out one of the beaches on Tortola as well will a little time to walk through Road Town.

 

Also, are there any private tour companies that will take you to Normal Island to snorkel or do you need to book this through the cruise line?

[Pyrate13]

Since you have a mixed group you would probably be better off staying on Tortola and snorkeling at Brewer's Bay. The snorkeling attraction at Norman is the Caves, not really a reef.

 

There are several companies that do trips but they would be at least half days so would use up most of your time in port.

[amy2313]

Since you have a mixed group you would probably be better off staying on Tortola and snorkeling at Brewer's Bay. The snorkeling attraction at Norman is the Caves, not really a reef.

 

There are several companies that do trips but they would be at least half days so would use up most of your time in port.

 

If we split up our group and some went on the boat excursion to Norman and others to Brewer's and we met up there following the excursion at 10am, do you think we would have enough time to do both?? For example, if a couple of us did the snorkel to Norman Island (scheduled for 7:30am - 10:00am), then went directly to Brewer's following the excursion and met the rest of our group would we be able to spend a little time there too before heading back to the ship? We have no idea how long it takes to get around the island if this would even be doable.

 

Thanks!!

[Pyrate13]

If your excursion returns on time then yes, you can do that and get a little time at Brewer's, but just a little. Make sure you have a set return pick-up time with your driver. Although it's not far from the pier to Brewer's, maybe 20-25 minutes or so, I would not ask for a pick up later than 1 PM and even that might be a bit much if the driver is late or doesn't show (doesn't usually happen) and you need to call for another taxi.

 

Tortola is a great place but you don't want to miss your ship.