Snorkeling and Kayak Eco-Experience

Since we ordered tickets for Sunday Morning, most of the community was at church or still staying home it almost felt like we had the beach in the morning for ourselves! Plus just two people for a tour that is welcome to 6-10 people is a luxury! We started with Kayaking and Jose our tour guide was incredibly knowledgable about the history of Puerto Rico, the different Mangroves, he walked us near the lagoon and shared so many wonderful environmental tips/information as well! After kayaking and walking, we went snorkeling and it was my Fiancé's first time, so Jose gave great tips to help someone snorkel for the first time. We saw many fish, a sea cucumber and even an arrow crab!

The tour took us from Seven Seas Beach over to the beach where we could enter the nature reserve and view the Laguna Grande. Our guide, Jose, was very nice and gave us a lot of information about the laguna, the lighthouse, and the history of the area. He also gave us a lot of time to explore on the snorkeling portion of the trip.

Upon first arriving at the site, which is a little hidden and we needed to ask to find it, my skepticism radar was on alert. There were two people sitting at a table with a pop up tent and a trailer. We soon met Jose our guide and within a few minutes, my skepticism went away. He was extremely friendly and professional and answered all of our questions about the area and the environment. The location was absolutely stunning and the waters were as calm as a bath tub. And warm like it too! We paddled out to a secluded beach and were able to hang out in the water without being rushed. He showed us the bioilluminescent bay and explained all of the science behind it and the nature preserve surrounding it. Fascinating. We paddled back and were soon at the water’s edge for snorkeling. If you are looking for a pleasure cruise and just want to sit back and relax, this is not for you. Kayaking is a skill and takes a little practice. It is a physical activity! Anyone can do it but be prepared to work a little. Unfortunately there is a little walk from the kayak launch point to the snorkeling beach. Shoes definitely required for the walk. Once in the water, Jose showed those brave enough the coral reefs and the life beneath the surface. Although there are some nice reefs, it isn’t that exciting. If you’re looking for world class reefs with amazing wildlife and bright colors, this is not the tour. That was just our experience and not indicative of the norm. It is a rather long swim from the beach to the reef sites so being comfortable in the water is a must. You can wear a life jacket but it definitely interferes with comfort. Overall we were snorkeling for just under an hour so be sure you are comfortable in the water for that long. I loved it and my daughters loved it but some in our group only lasted a little bit or were too scared to go out that far. Overall, it was a great experience and the highlight was definitely Jose. He was informative and a calming presence. Only suggestion would be to give a short lesson on snorkeling with some coaching tips before heading out.