Shipwreck Snorkel Trip

Bermuda sits in the middle of a graveyard of ships. Its ring of reefs has snagged vessels for five hundred years, and the shallow wrecks are home to fish, sea fans and coral, which makes them a highlight for snorkellers. This two-stop trip leaves from the Island Tour Centre at the Dockyard Watersports Centre, 4 North Arm Drive, and takes about two and a half hours. A small boat, with a maximum of ten travellers, carries you to two sites chosen by the crew for the conditions on the day, and you swim over reef and wreck with equipment provided, including flotation noodles or snorkel vests for less confident swimmers. The small group makes the experience personal, and the crew can adapt when swells or wind change the plan. The minimum age is seven, and snorkellers should be competent swimmers who can swim in water too deep to stand. You sign a liability waiver on the day. The Viator listing carries a 4.6 rating from 45 reviews, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start. Because this is an open-water activity, it depends heavily on weather and a minimum number of passengers.

November conditions: the water has cooled from its summer peak, and while many visitors still snorkel in early November on a calm day, you should expect it to feel brisk. A rash guard or a thin wetsuit top helps, and a towel and a warm layer for the ride back are worth packing. Reviewers mention rough, windy or cold conditions on some days and one trip where swells forced a change of sites, so be flexible and book early in your stay in case a day is cancelled for weather. The product publishes no operating season, so check available dates when you book and expect fewer departures than in summer.

What you will see: Bermuda's reef fish are plentiful, with parrotfish, angelfish, grunts and wrasse in the shallows, and the wrecks give the fish something to shelter around, which concentrates the life. Visibility around the island is usually very good. The crew can tell you about the ships and the reefs that sank them, which adds a layer of history to the swim. Photography with a waterproof phone case or an action camera is rewarded here, although keep a hand on the boat ladder when the sea is lively.

Who it suits: confident swimmers and older children, couples, and friends travelling together. It is not suitable for non-swimmers or very young children, and there is a weight limit stated on the listing, so read the booking page before you commit. For a gentler water day, the glass-bottom cruise from the same departure point lets everyone see the reef dry, and the catamaran sail adds a swim stop with more social atmosphere.