★★★☆☆
The boat and crew were great and did their best, but our early-September trip carried more passengers than the boat and its crew could comfortably handle. It needed extra hands.
B A. · Traveller · September 2026
Turks and Caicos Snorkeling Sail on a Luxury Catamaran: The Barrier Reef and Lunch
Barrier reef + island beachRitz-Carlton or Grace Bay ClubLunch + open barMax 50
You check in at the Ritz-Carlton or Grace Bay Club and step aboard a luxury sailing catamaran from the beach. It sails out to the barrier reef, where you snorkel among parrotfish and coral with the gear provided, then serves a picnic lunch and an open bar, and gives you time on an island beach before the sail home.
What your four and a half hours include
Board from the resort beach
Check in at the activities desk and walk down to the boat on the sand.
The barrier reef
The catamaran sails offshore to the reef, not a patch close to the beach.
Parrotfish and coral
Parrotfish, Caribbean reef sharks and hard and soft coral live on the reef.
A picnic lunch
Lunch is served on board after the snorkel, when appetites are up.
An open bar
Alcoholic drinks are in the fare, poured once everyone is out of the water.
An island beach
Time ashore on a white-sand beach before the catamaran sails home.
A Turks and Caicos snorkeling sail from the resort beach
This is the grown-up version of a snorkel day. You board a sailing catamaran from the beach of one of Grace Bay's best-known resorts, sail out to the barrier reef, and spend the afternoon between the water, the deck and an island beach, with lunch and drinks looked after.
The barrier reef is the difference. It lies offshore along the north coast, in clearer and deeper water than the reefs near the beach, and the catamaran takes you straight to it.
Short on time? The two-and-a-half-hour reef sail from the same beach keeps the snorkel and the bar and drops the beach stop. Want the iguanas too? The Turks and Caicos snorkel combo tours pair a reef with Little Water Cay.
Checking in at the Ritz-Carlton or Grace Bay Club
You choose your departure beach when you book: the Ritz-Carlton or Grace Bay Club. At the Ritz-Carlton, walk through the hotel lobby and check in at the activities desk on the left as you approach the pool; the catamaran waits on the beach just past the pool area.
Bring the credit card you booked with, because it is checked at check-in. You do not need to be a guest at either resort to sail from it.
The sail, in order
- Check in at the Ritz-Carlton or Grace Bay Club
- Board the catamaran from the beach
- Sail out to the barrier reef
- Snorkel with the gear provided
- Picnic lunch and open bar aboard
- Time ashore on an island beach
- Back after four and a half hours
The steps above come from what the fare includes and where the boat goes. The crew chooses the reef spot and the beach on the day by the wind, and lunch follows the snorkel.
What the $199 fare covers
In the fare
- The sail and the barrier-reef snorkel
- Snorkel gear
- A picnic lunch
- Alcoholic drinks from the open bar
Not in the fare
- Gratuities for the crew
- Hotel transport to the resort beach
Bring cash for tips. If you are not staying at the Ritz-Carlton or Grace Bay Club, arrange your own ride to the resort and allow time to walk through to the beach.
Who this suits, and who should book something else
Book this if
- You want a relaxed, grown-up sail with lunch and a bar.
- You want to snorkel the barrier reef, not only a shore patch.
- You are staying on Grace Bay near either resort.
- You like a stable boat with shade and space.
Book something else if
- You want the iguanas: the Bight Park half day stops about an hour at Little Water Cay.
- You want your own boat: the private outer-islands boat carries only your group.
- You are short on time: the two-and-a-half-hour reef sail keeps the reef and the bar.
- You have back or heart problems: the tour asks for moderate fitness; see the planning page for gentler options.
Still weighing it up? Compare the sail with every snorkel tour Turks and Caicos operators run before you choose a date.
Know before you go
- Bring the credit card you booked with; it is checked at check-in.
- Choose your beach, the Ritz-Carlton or Grace Bay Club, when you book.
- Wear your swimsuit and bring reef-safe sunscreen and a hat.
- Sit by the bar tables when lunch comes; the front nets fill up first.
- Infants ride on a lap, and strollers can come aboard.
- The tour asks for moderate fitness; it is not wheelchair accessible.
What travellers said about the deluxe sail
★★★☆☆
A lovely boat and staff. Our children aged 12 to 16 do not drink but paid the adult price, and poor weather meant we saw little on the snorkel or at Iguana Island.
Tatiana G. · Family · September 2026
★★★★★
A gorgeous catamaran and an eager, friendly crew. The drinks flowed after the snorkel, though it was never a booze cruise. Iguana Island was my favourite stop, with the most electric blue water.
Jessica V. · Traveller · March 2026
★★★★★
Our second time on this cruise, and this time we brought the kids, who loved it. The food and drinks were excellent.
J G. · Repeat visitor with family · July 2026
★★★★★
Snorkel gear, towels, a shower, food and drinks were all provided. A tip: skip the busy trampoline at the bow, because the tables beside the bar are better once the food comes out.
Tolga G. · Traveller · July 2026
★★★★★
I went with a friend and the snorkeling was top tier, with colourful fish, coral and a shark the moment we got in. At Iguana Island we saw iguanas, and an eagle ray swam near the catamaran.
Lauren M. · Friends · June 2026
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to stay at the Ritz-Carlton or Grace Bay Club?
No. Anyone can book, and you simply check in at the resort's beach. Allow time to walk through to the activities desk.
How long is the snorkel?
The sail runs four and a half hours in all, with the barrier-reef snorkel first and the island beach later. The crew sets the time in the water by the conditions.
Is it a party boat?
No. The bar opens after the snorkel, and the day is relaxed rather than loud. It suits couples and families who want an easy afternoon.
Are children allowed?
Yes, from age 3, and infants ride on a lap. Children's fares cover ages 3 to 10, and older children pay the adult fare.
Is there a shorter version?
Yes: the two-and-a-half-hour reef sail from the same beach keeps the snorkel and the drinks. For iguanas as well, the Bight Park half day stops at Little Water Cay.
Other ways to spend the day on the water
Book the deluxe catamaran sail
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your start time.
Check Availability