Morning or afternoon pirate sail?

What is the difference between the morning and afternoon sails?

The morning sail is four hours with lunch and three snorkel stops; the afternoon sail is three hours with two snorkel stops and no food.

Which has better snorkeling?

Usually the morning: it has one more stop, and the water is typically calmer before the trade winds build during the day.

Afternoon guests are more likely to mention rough water at the wreck. The morning sail's extra stop, Malmok reef, is shallow and close to shore, which is also the easiest warm-up for beginners.

Is lunch worth the extra cost?

For most people, yes: the price gap is about the cost of a lunch in Palm Beach, and the barbecue is one of the most praised parts of the trip.

Guests describe generous portions of ribs, chicken, rice and salads. If you have already eaten or plan a big lunch ashore, the afternoon sail saves money.

Which is better for families?

The morning: lunch is included, the water is usually calmer, and children are fresher.

Both sails sell child tickets on Viator (5 to 10) and both have the rope swing. The Jolly Pirates' adults-only trip is a separate evening party dinner sail. More in Jolly Pirates with kids.

Late risers? The afternoon sail keeps the snorkeling, the rope swing and the bar, for less.

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Which is better for cruise passengers?

Check your all-aboard time first: the morning sail is back around 1 PM and the afternoon sail around 5 PM, and neither includes transport from the port.

Both are non-refundable on Viator, and the operator will not wait for a late ship. If your port day is short or uncertain, a sail that cancels free, such as Red Sail's morning catamaran, is the safer booking.

What about the sunset sail?

It is a two-hour sail from 5:30 PM with the open bar and the rope swing, but no snorkeling and no food.

It suits non-snorkelers, or anyone who loved the ship and wants a second trip. From $70 on Viator. The Jolly Pirates also run an adults-only Pirate Party dinner sail, sold direct.

Can you do both the morning and afternoon sail?

Yes, some fans do, but on different days: the sails overlap in stops and the morning one already covers everything.

A more varied plan is the morning sail one day and a different boat or the sunset sail on another. Guests who return year after year often do exactly that.

So which should you book?

The morning sail, unless price or a late start matters more to you than lunch and the third stop.

• First time, want the full experience: morning.
• Tight budget, already fed: afternoon.
• Not a snorkeler: sunset.
• Plans might change: a refundable catamaran instead.

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