The swimming portion was nothing short of an extremely dangerous experience. Seriously considered the changing current was going to send me to Cuba and no one would notice, seriously. Left me with PTSD for weeks afterwards. FYI, I've lifeguarded, snorkeled for 20 years and dived. Plus, on that December day the boat was only about 2/3 full based on their capacity rating AND they had an extra staffer on board.
First red flag: No fins provided! Can't call it snorkeling unless fins are provided. You are not snorkeling; you are swimming. Very dangerous because of that.
Second red flag: Crewed by three people that day - first mate, captain and captain in training, (FYI, all female crew and took great pride in that until near disaster struck). While anchored, captain spent the entire time heavily engaged talking to one specific couple. Don't know what trainee was doing. First mate Hannah was left to 1) help people back onto the boat from the ladder, 2) immediately serve alcohol to everyone upon re-entry and 3) refill drinks. No time for safety checks because of other simultaneous duties that were apparently more pressing.
Third red flag: Conditions changed and no notice given. No one ever told the snorkelers a second boat had arrived on scene that had parked behind and parallel to our boat. Compounded by, and can excuse, that they weren't aware current had really picked up while we were anchored.
My experience: We were told to stay in front of our boat, where I thought I was based on the many times I turned my head to check. Over time, unbeknownst to me, I had swum in front of the second boat. Then I swam down toward the second boat's ladder to exit. I was feet from the second boat's ladder before I realized the situation. Worst part was that I was 3/4 down the length of the Fury boat to my right. Actually, the worst part was the intensified current.
It took every ounce of my strength to swim the length of our boat, in front of our anchor rope and safely clear our boat's bow before I could let that very strong current carry me down to the Fury boat ladder. (Reasoned I had to stay between the two boats for safety's sake instead of floating behind both of them and back up.) Incredibly, incredibly dangerous and exhausting! Again, NO ONE EVER CHECKED ON OR COMMUNICATED WITH ME while in the water.
Very disappointing snorkeling area too. Reef completely dead and gray. Only saw very small fish that I had literally seen at Ft Zachary Taylor while standing on the shore near the western point of beach. If you have ever snorkeled before, you are going to be disappointed. Walk along the seaside sidewalk in front of the airport and you'll see a better quantity and variety of fish.
It was an unforgivable and extremely dangerous experience that I will never forget. (Seeing some dolphins was nice though. ) They truly deserve a negative rating. Buyer beware!