Thanks for replying so quickly Lori - Good to know I will be able to get on/off without too much trouble.

Was there any shade?-I get a terrible sun reaction rash, but guess I can always put on long sleeves.

There is shade and seats in the back of the boat near Capt Anthony.

We loved the Tranquilo! The current just takes you on the drift snorkel so you really don't have to do anything but float. Anthony will be ahead of you in the dinghy while you do the drift snorkle. Getting into the dinghy is a bit tricky/awkward. Just make sure you're the first one back in so you can chuckle at everyone else. LOL!

Thank you! - sorry I missed the first sentence where you said there was shade!

Much appreciation to you both!

The drift snorkel was fun and a unique experience. My question to you would be how confident would you feel in a more open water setting? The water can be a bit deeper than maybe you are used to and can be somewhat intimidating. Three people in our group of nine didn't/couldn't complete the drift snorkel because they were too nervous. Just remember to keep popping your head out of the water every now and then so you can keep track of the dinghy that's ahead of you. I caught a nice glimpse of a decent sized barracuda, but I didn't hang around long enough to become friendly. To Amy's point, getting into the dinghy is hilarious Also don't be the last one in line either since there is no one behind you, just the open water and barracudas.

From my last trip report ...

"The procedure for getting back into the dinghy is thoroughly explained. You snorkel and drift more or less follow the direction of Captain Anthony's dinghy. When time is up the Captain, with your help by kicking with your fins, literally hauls you back on to the dinghy. The idea is to kick with your fins in order to get you high enough out of the water to allow the Captain to pluck you up in order for you to be able to swing one leg over the side.

Dh was the first to get back on and kicked his fins so hard that the Captain could haul him up, but dh nearly went flying clear over the other side of the dinghy. I, on the other hand, ended up on the side as I was supposed to, but went I went to pull my second leg over as instructed I ended up on the floor of the dinghy. It is more than likely going to be one of the least graceful things you are going to do in life but it is better than being stranded out in the ocean. I was happy to be back aboard and it was only the Captain, dh and dd already on board, so no audience.

We especially did not feel bad when we saw the men coming back aboard as gracefully as I. <<NOT>> I felt terrific after watching a svelte young 20 something on her honeymoon land back in the dinghy EXACTLY the same way I did!"

as much as I love my shore snorkeling up at Boca Catalinne(will be there Tuesday woo hoo), my favorite snorkel "trip" has been with Captain Anthony and the Tranquilo. The drift snorkel was amazing. The water is not rough at all. It does however get rather deep. It was kind of surreal. I felt like a very small fish in a big aquarium with all of the big fan corals and such... definitiely worth a try for you!

Hope to be able to go this trip. They are dry docked for sprucing up for the next week and a half or so.

The shade at the back of boat can only sit maybe like 4-5 peoples. If you definitely need a seat there, better be at dock early to be the first one in line.

Wow thanks to OP for asking this question. I am going jan 25 and have booked a trip on Tranquillo and had the same questions. The replies gave me the answers I needed. Thank you guys!

We're booked on the 30th. Thanks for all of the information. We are really looking forward to it!