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Barbados Shore Excursions

The Best Day Off the Ship

Swim with turtles, feast on deck, and sail with just about twelve guests. A short shuttle from the cruise port.

See Available Cruises Why Book Direct

Shore Excursions

A Better Way to See Barbados

If your cruise ship is calling at Bridgetown, you have a choice: join a crowded excursion with forty strangers, or step aboard Silver Moon and sail with just about twelve guests and escape the madding crowd.

We depart from the Shallow Draught in Bridgetown — under five minutes by shuttle from the cruise terminal. A shuttle transfer is just $10 per person and can be added when you book. No long transfers, no wasted time, and no worrying, because we have your round-trip ground transport taken care of. Within minutes of leaving port you'll be swimming with turtles, drink in hand. We have earned over 6,500 five-star reviews across more than twenty years, and we've never returned a guest late for their boarding.

When you book direct with us, there is no middleman. You get a better price, a smaller group, and a more personal experience than any cruise line excursion can offer.

20+ Years
6,500+ 5-Star Reviews
#1 Rated

Our Cruises

Which Cruise Fits Your Schedule

Departs 9:00 AM · Returns ~2:00 PM

The Lunch Cruise

Five hours of coastline sailing, turtle snorkelling, open bar, and a family-style Bajan lunch on deck. Our original and most popular cruise.

Ideal for ships with an all-aboard time of 3 PM or later.

$165 and up
View details

Departs 2:45 PM · Returns ~6:45 PM

The Afternoon Cruise

Four hours of turtle encounters, open bar, a Bajan dinner, and a Caribbean sunset. The perfect way to end your day in port.

Ideal for ships with an all-aboard time of 7:30 PM or later.

$155 and up
View details

Not sure which cruise fits your schedule? Send us your ship name and schedule — we'll advise.

Book Direct

Why Savvy Cruisers Book Direct

Better Value

When you book through a cruise line, you pay a middleman markup for a larger, less personal experience. Book direct with us and you get more for less — no commission, no inflated prices.

Smaller Groups

Cruise line excursions typically pack 40 to 60 passengers onto a catamaran. We sail with about twelve. That means more space, more attention from the crew, and a genuinely intimate experience.

The Real Thing

Over 6,500 five-star reviews, twenty-plus years of operation, and multiple Travellers' Choice awards. We're not a faceless excursion provider — we're the original.

Advice

How to Plan the Perfect Shore Excursion

1

Know Your Port Times

Check your ship's all-aboard time — not the departure time — and work backwards. Allow a reasonable buffer; we recommend at least 45 minutes to be comfortable. If you're considering Silver Moon, reach out with your cruise ship and date and we'll advise you on the best fit.

2

Do Your Research

Independent excursions almost always offer better value than the cruise line's own options — but they don't always offer smaller groups. Read the reviews thoroughly, not just a handful but the pattern over many years. Then check the most recent ones — they'll tell you whether the experience today is still what you'd expect. You can check our own awards for service excellence here.

3

Ask How Many Guests

This is the single biggest difference between a good day and a great one. Some independent operators carry just as many passengers as the cruise line excursions. Fewer guests means more space, more attention from the crew, and less time waiting around. We aim to take an intimate group — usually just about twelve.

4

Confirm What's Included

The best excursions are fully inclusive — food, drinks, equipment, and transfers with no surprise costs on the day. If the price looks low, check what's been left out. Every Silver Moon cruise includes an open bar, a full Bajan meal, all snorkelling equipment, and shuttle transfers. See The Lunch Cruise and The Afternoon Cruise for the full details.

5

Save Everything to Your Phone

Connectivity can always be spotty when travelling. If you choose Silver Moon, you'll get a boarding pass to download, and our taxi will meet you right at the gate to pick you up — and return you afterwards.

Guest Reviews

What Our Guests Say

“
We had an AMAZING time and now completely understand why those we were with were all repeat visitors. I can't fathom going back to Barbados and not spending another day with the Silver Moon. The absolute highlight of our trip; I can't recommend them highly enough.
Carrie W. TripAdvisor Review
“
This was the best catamaran experience my husband and I have ever had and we've been on dozens over the years. The staff was incredible. When the tuna for lunch was grilled on-board I was blown away! We literally want to plan a trip to Barbados just to take this catamaran trip again!!
Deb D. November, 2025
“
Silvermoon is our go-to excursion when visiting Barbados. Captain Richard and his crew do an amazing job. The service, food and drinks are wonderful. Having only 12 people on such a large catamaran makes for a great experience. It's like being on a private yacht.
Kathleen N. Georgia, USA
Read all 6,500+ reviews on TripAdvisor

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Almost certainly. Hawksbill turtles are resident in Barbados year-round and our crew know exactly where to find them. While wildlife can never be guaranteed, it's rare for us to miss them — and when you do find them, you'll be swimming alongside them in calm, clear water rather than watching from a crowded boat.
Wear comfortable beachwear. Bring towels, a hat, and sunglasses. We provide snorkelling equipment, and everything else you need on board.
We depart from the Shallow Draught in Bridgetown. A $10 per person transport fee is added to your booking by default. Our shuttle will pick you up and drop you back at your hotel or villa. Private transport can be arranged for a fee. If you are making your own way, you can Find us on Google Maps.
We recommend booking as early as possible. Our peak season (December to April) often sells out up to 2 months in advance. That said, we'll always do our best to accommodate all requests.
No. We do not recommend it. While it is nearby, there are often delays clearing security and you do not want to miss your cruise. We offer a shuttle transfer from the cruise terminal for $10 per person — it takes under five minutes. See our shore excursions guide for full details on timing and transfers.
We welcome everyone as they are. If you are a wheelchair user or have other mobility needs, please let us know when you book — or reach out after booking — so we can plan to accommodate you.
Brief tropical showers pass quickly and rarely affect the cruise. In the unlikely event of severe weather, we'll contact you to reschedule at no extra cost.
A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking. If you cancel for any reason more than 48 hours before your tour, you'll receive a full refund. If we have to cancel for any reason, you'll also receive a full refund. If your cruise ship itinerary changes and your ship no longer docks in Barbados, we will refund you in full. More on booking as a cruise ship visitor.
Our premium cruises add Prosecco, Scotch, Tequila, and other premium spirits to the open bar — these aren't available on our standard cruises. You'll also enjoy a trio of desserts after lunch rather than one. The sailing, the snorkelling, the Bajan buffet, and everything else about your day is exactly the same — the premium is simply a little more indulgence.
We depart from the Shallow Draught in Bridgetown, which is under five minutes by shuttle from the cruise terminal. A shuttle transfer costs $10 per person and can be added when you book. We do not recommend walking from the cruise terminal — clearing port security can take time and you don't want to risk being late.
It depends on your ship's schedule. Our Lunch Cruise departs at 9 AM and returns around 2 PM — ideal if your ship is in port until at least 3 PM. Our Afternoon Cruise departs at 2:45 PM and returns around 6:45 PM — only suitable if your ship departs after 7 PM. If you're unsure, send us your ship name and schedule and we'll advise.
It happens occasionally. If your ship is delayed and you can no longer make your cruise, contact us as soon as possible. We'll do our best to rearrange your booking or offer a full refund. We've been welcoming cruise ship passengers for over twenty years and understand that port schedules can change.
No. Silver Moon is an independent, locally owned company operating since 2002. We are not affiliated with any cruise line. You book directly with us, which means smaller groups (about twelve guests), better value, and a more personal experience than a typical ship-organised excursion.
Cruise line excursions typically carry 40 to 60 passengers on large catamarans and include a middleman markup. When you book direct with Silver Moon, you sail with about twelve guests, enjoy a more intimate experience, and pay less. We also have over 6,500 five-star reviews — something no cruise line excursion in Barbados can match.
Yes. We've been running cruises for ship visitors for over twenty years and have never caused a guest to miss their ship. Our Lunch Cruise returns to the Shallow Draught around 2 PM, and the shuttle back to the cruise terminal takes under five minutes. We always allow a comfortable buffer. If you have any concerns about timing, get in touch and we'll help you plan.

Get in Touch

We'd Love to Hear From You

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