Rising Son Catamaran Adventure in Bermuda

The best part of this Bermuda outing is the freedom to spend your swim stop your way. You can snorkel above a reef, paddle toward a beach, float beside the catamaran, or stay dry on the deck with a rum cocktail and music. I especially like the easygoing crew atmosphere and the mix of water activities, which lets an active family and a sun-loving lounger enjoy the same trip.

I also like that the boat offers plenty of room, with a shaded cockpit, cabin, upper deck, and trampoline nets between the hulls. The main thing to consider is equipment demand: several accounts note that there may be only one kayak and one paddleboard, so you could wait your turn. Snorkeling conditions and fish sightings can also vary.

Key points to know before you book

• Sail from King’s Wharf: The Rising Son II leaves from the Island Tour Centre at Dockyard and heads into Bermuda’s Great Sound.
• Choose your own water time: Snorkel, swim, use a kayak or paddleboard, explore a beach or sandbar, or simply relax aboard.
• A social crew-led trip: Crew members such as Steve, Captain Sam, Wesley, Jermaine, Abby, Matty, and Zeeks have been singled out for warmth, humor, and helpful instruction.
• About 1.5 hours at the swimming site: The boat anchors after the sail, then the crew explains the gear and water safety.
• Rum swizzle included after swimming: Soft drinks are included, and adults 18 and older may enjoy the complimentary rum swizzle.
• Plan for steps and a swim ladder: You need to board via steps and use a ladder to enter the water, with a moderate level of fitness.

Setting out from King’s Wharf

Your outing begins at the Island Tour Centre, also identified as the Dockyard Watersports Centre, at 4 North Arm Drive in Sandys. This is a useful departure point if you are staying near Royal Naval Dockyard or arriving by cruise ship at King’s Wharf.

The boat is the Rising Son II, a sleek catamaran with two hulls and several ways to settle in. You can sit in the shade of the cockpit, find a place on the upper deck, retreat into the cabin, or stretch out on the netting between the hulls. That range matters in Bermuda, where one person may want full sun while another wants a cool place to watch the coast pass by.

The trip lasts about three hours, with the outbound sail described as roughly an hour. One account described a shorter ride to the swimming site, so the exact sailing time can vary with the route and conditions. Either way, the passage across the Great Sound is part of the attraction, not just transport to the water activities.

I would use this first stretch to get comfortable, apply sunscreen, and decide how active you want to be. The crew shares information about the island and boating, and the boat’s music adds a relaxed holiday feel without, according to the strongest feedback, overwhelming conversation.

A comfortable catamaran for sun, shade, and views

The Rising Son II is not a tiny sailing boat where everyone must sit in one spot. Its multiple decks and open areas give you room to move around, take photographs, or settle in for the ride.

The trampoline nets are the classic catamaran perch. They bring you close to the water and offer a more open view than the cockpit. They are less suitable if you dislike motion or want a completely dry seat, so the shaded areas and cabin provide useful alternatives.

The crew has received especially strong praise for keeping the mood friendly and making people feel at ease. Names that come up in connection with this experience include Steve, Captain Sam, Wesley, Jermaine, Abby, Matty, Zeeks, J, and Brandon. The team on your departure may be different, but the pattern is clear: expect an active crew that mixes island information, safety guidance, humor, and help with the equipment.

This is a social excursion rather than a quiet private charter. The maximum group size is 75 people, although the actual feel depends on the departure. Some accounts describe the boat as spacious and comfortable, while others point out that a popular sailing can make the limited paddle equipment harder to access.

The Great Sound and the quiet swimming stop

After sailing away from King’s Wharf, the catamaran heads toward a calmer spot in Bermuda’s Great Sound. The appeal is the change of pace. The boat stops, the crew gives a short safety briefing, and you are free to decide how to use the next part of the trip.

The planned water time is about 1.5 hours. That is enough for more than one activity if you move efficiently. You might snorkel first, then take a turn on the paddleboard, or swim for a while before returning to the deck for a drink.

The crew supplies masks, snorkels, fins, and other water equipment. A safety and snorkeling lesson is provided before you enter the water, which helps if you have not snorkeled recently. You can also ask for a life vest, and the gear is described as being kept in a sanitized solution before use.

Conditions at the stop are not guaranteed to be identical on every sailing. One departure shifted locations because of jellyfish, and that change led to a better stop. Other accounts found the reef life modest, with some fish but fewer coral formations than expected. This is a good excursion for casual snorkeling, not a promise of a major reef expedition.

Snorkeling above coral and tropical fish

The snorkeling portion takes place above a nearby reef. In good conditions, you can expect living coral and schools of tropical fish in the clear water around the boat. The water is the star here, with Bermuda’s pale sand and strong blue-green color making even a short swim memorable.

I would keep expectations sensible. Bermuda’s reefs are real and attractive, but this particular stop may not deliver a huge range of fish or broad coral fields every time. Several accounts describe seeing fish but wanting more reef life. Jellyfish can also affect the choice of swimming site.

The crew’s instruction is valuable because the water access is by a swim ladder, and you need to be comfortable moving from the boat into open water. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask about a life vest and stay close to the boat. The activity is best for people with moderate fitness who can climb steps and use the ladder without assistance.

Strong swimmers can make the most of the stop. Families with older children may enjoy snorkeling and jumping from the boat, but minors must remain with a parent or guardian. Alcohol is restricted to people at least 18 years old.

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and beach exploring

If snorkeling is not your main interest, the stop offers other ways to enjoy the bay. You can take a kayak or stand-up paddleboard toward a nearby beach or sandbar, paddle around the bay, or simply float and swim.

These options are particularly useful for people who want to be on the water without wearing a mask and fins. A paddleboard gives you a higher view of the bay, while a kayak offers a steadier, lower ride. The nearby shore adds a small sense of exploration without turning the trip into a long land excursion.

Here is the practical catch: equipment numbers appear limited. Multiple accounts refer to one kayak and one paddleboard, sometimes for a group of around 40 people. That means you may need to wait, especially if the boat is full and everyone wants a turn.

If kayaking or paddleboarding is your main reason for booking, this limitation matters. If you are happy to snorkel, swim, sunbathe, and share equipment, it is less serious. I would treat these craft as a bonus rather than the core promise of the trip.

Some departures also offer cliff jumping or jumping from the boat’s roof area, where the crew permits it and conditions allow. That activity is not the central advertised feature, so do not book solely for a jump. Ask the crew and follow their instructions on the day.

Rum swizzles, music, and the ride back

The included drink is a rum swizzle after the swim, with soft drinks also available. Additional drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar. The rum swizzle is a classic Bermuda touch, and it gives the return sail a more festive feel.

You need to be at least 18 to drink alcohol. If you are traveling with children or do not drink, the included soft drinks mean you are not left out of the refreshment service.

The return ride is a chance to dry off, take in the shoreline, and trade the energy of the swimming stop for a slower end to the afternoon. Music plays onboard, but the strongest feedback describes it as lively without being painfully loud. That balance is important on a three-hour boat trip. You want some atmosphere, not a floating nightclub.

Food is not included, so eat before boarding or bring a plan for after the cruise. Towels are also not provided. Pack one, along with sunscreen, a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and a waterproof way to carry your phone.

Is the $111.12 price good value?

At $111.12 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Bermuda’s water, but it combines several separate pleasures in one outing. You get the catamaran sail, snorkeling gear, kayak and paddleboard access, soft drinks, and a rum swizzle after swimming.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the water stop actively. A person who snorkels, swims, and takes a turn on a board receives more from the fare than someone who remains seated for most of the excursion. The large boat, crew service, music, and included gear also reduce the need to arrange several smaller activities on your own.

The value is weaker if you are seeking serious reef snorkeling or guaranteed access to a kayak. Fish sightings vary, and limited paddle equipment can mean waiting. The cruise remains attractive as a social catamaran outing, but it should not be sold to yourself as a specialist marine expedition.

The high rating of 4.9 from 694 ratings, along with a 96 percent recommendation rate, fits the experience’s main strength: people tend to value the crew, the relaxed atmosphere, and the number of ways to enjoy the water. I would still weigh those equipment and reef limitations before paying.

Who will enjoy the Rising Son II most?

This outing suits you if you want a flexible half-day on the water rather than a tightly scheduled tour. You can be active for the full swimming stop or spend much of it reclining with a drink.

It works well for:

• Families with older children who can swim and follow water-safety instructions
• Couples who want scenery, snorkeling, and a casual drink
• Groups celebrating a birthday or another special occasion
• Cruise visitors looking for a Dockyard departure
• People who enjoy a friendly crew and onboard music
• Strong swimmers interested in snorkeling, swimming, and possible jumping

It is less suitable if you need step-free access, cannot use a swim ladder, dislike group outings, or want a guaranteed supply of kayaks and paddleboards. It may also disappoint serious snorkelers who expect a large reef and dense marine life.

The boat is near public transportation, and the activity returns to the same meeting point. Confirmation is issued within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. All departures depend on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants.

Practical details for a smoother day

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel, since towels are not included. You will want sun protection, but the boat also gives you shaded places when the sun becomes too strong.

Arrive ready to board from the Dockyard meeting point. You need to walk on and off the boat using steps, and water access is by a swim ladder. Moderate physical fitness is required, even if you plan to spend most of the trip relaxing.

Keep your expectations open about the exact swim location. The crew may move to another site if conditions such as jellyfish make the first choice unsuitable. That flexibility is a good safety measure, but it can change the reef, beach, or fish experience you had pictured.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. If weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Bermuda catamaran trip?

Book it if you want an upbeat, flexible boat outing with a good crew, attractive scenery, a proper swimming stop, and several ways to use your time. The Rising Son II gives you more than a simple sightseeing cruise, while still leaving room to relax.

I would choose it for a family group with mixed interests or for friends who want music, swimming, snorkeling, and rum swizzles in one package. I would hesitate only if your priority is extensive coral, abundant fish, or guaranteed solo time on a kayak or paddleboard. For most people seeking a sociable three-hour taste of Bermuda by water, the price is fair and the format is easy to enjoy.

FAQ

Where does the Rising Son Catamaran Adventure depart?

It departs from the Island Tour Centre, also called the Dockyard Watersports Centre, at 4 North Arm Drive in Sandys, near King’s Wharf.

How long does the experience last?

The excursion lasts approximately three hours. The sailing portion is described as about an hour, followed by around 1.5 hours at the swimming stop and a return sail.

What activities are included?

You can use the provided snorkeling equipment, kayak, and paddleboard. The stop also allows time for swimming, relaxing, and possible beach or sandbar exploration.

Are drinks included?

Soft drinks and a complimentary rum swizzle after the swim are included. Additional drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar. Alcohol is available only to people age 18 and older.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, and towels are not provided.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You need moderate physical fitness and must be able to board using steps and enter the water by a swim ladder. The crew provides a safety briefing and snorkeling instructions, and life vests are available as part of the water gear.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.