Home / Barbados / Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) · Updated November 2, 2026

Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) from Barbados: ship excursion or on your own?

Quick answer

Booking Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) independently from Barbados saves about $70 per person compared with NCL's excursion (Carnival $105, NCL $128 vs $58 independent, November 2026). Safety for going on your own: 5/5. Be back at the pier 60 minutes before departure.

Carnival excursion
$105
3 options, $95–$140
NCL excursion
$128
€115 · 2 options, $99–$158
Independent
$58
median of 5 tours, from $40
Safe to go independent?
5/5
Very safe

What ships sell

Ship excursions that include Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) often bundle other stops or lunch, so compare what each tour includes. NCL prices were read from NCL's European website in euros on 2026-11-02 and converted at the ECB reference rate of 1 EUR = 1.1172 USD (2026-10-30). NCL's US site may show slightly different dollar prices.

Independent Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) tours we compared

See all Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) tours

Getting back to the ship

Ships here dock alongside. All-aboard is normally 30 minutes before departure on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL and MSC (check your daily planner). Plan to be back at the pier at least 60 minutes before the ship sails.

Questions

How much is the Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) excursion from Barbados on Carnival?

Carnival's Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) excursions start at a median of $105 per adult (3 options, $95 to $140).

How much is the Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) excursion from Barbados on NCL?

NCL's Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) excursions start at a median of $128 per adult (2 options, $99 to $158), converted from €115.

Can you visit Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) on your own from the Barbados cruise port?

Yes. Independent tours cost a median of $58 per person (5 tours compared, from $40). It is close to the pier, so even a taxi works if you keep an eye on the time.

Is it cheaper to book Swim with turtles (Carlisle Bay) independently?

Usually: the gap is about $70 per person, or $281 for a family of four, against NCL's price.

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