Got packed up for our snorkel trip and headed down to meet the shuttle.
Arrived at the marina with plenty of time to spare.
We chose this particular snorkel trip since neither of us had been on a sailboat before. Well, this is a catamaran with sails – but similar concept.
On the ride out of the marina, you pass a private island.
Those always intrigue me.
This boat has seen better days.
Once in open water, the sails went up.
The water was so pretty.
On the ride out we talked a lot with the captain. We talked about the rough Florida winter, lack of tourism and lack of money.
We were the only ones on board that had brought our own snorkel gear. We also brought skins since the water was only in the high 70s.
When we stopped at the site, we noticed that the guides didn’t get in the water with us. That is rare. Usually a couple of them get in the water to help the newbies and often times sit in kayaks to keep the snorkelers corralled together.
We assumed it was because the water was too cold for them!
The reef was quite a ways out and the water was rough. But mom and I jumped in and started to swim. I was determined for something on this trip to work out!
In reality, I am terrified of snorkeling. I don’t swim all that well, hate salt water and am afraid of just about everything in the water. Ocean = sharks. But today, I was being a “big girl”.
We quickly found that you could see NOTHING! Not even the ocean floor. Between horrible ‘viz’ (visibility), strong currents and deep water, there was nothing to see. We swam and swam. Nothing.
Mom wanted to give up a few times, but I made us keep trying. Eventually, out of frustration we went back to the boat.
When the guides helped us out of the water and asked how it was, I was honest.
“It sucked! I have seen more in the Gulf of Mexico”
We were so angry with this boat company. How dare they accept thousands of dollars from these tourists to go out on this trip where you couldn’t see anything! For many, this was their first snorkel trip – what a disappointment! Plus, if this was their first impression, how likely would they be to go again?
We decided to go ahead and start drinking the cheap wine and beer and enjoy the sites outside the water. It’s a little gimmick all the snorkel boats have – once you are done snorkeling – free alcohol. But it’s always the cheapest crap.
Once back on shore, we ate an early dinner at the Conch Republic Seafood Company.
We spent the evening lounging in our room reading.
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