A 'glass' act - Boating professionals give a deeper view of the West

Speedy captains the ‘Chelsea’, a single-engine glass bottom boat, almost everyday from the West End of Negril to the Booby Cay Island off the coast. The vibrant 63-year-old is assisted by Everton and another eager young man who goes by the name ‘Ankle Socks’, a name that has nothing to do with his preferred footwear.

As the boat pulls up to dock, the men signal to the passengers that it will only take a few minutes to acquire gas and other items needed to continue the trip. The route the glass bottom tour guides take vary from the north coast to the south coast, but Speedy says he is satisfied with the way ‘Chelsea’ travels.

There seems to a glass bottom boat anchored offshore every hundred yards, and they are always under the watch of a keeper.

The glass bottom boat ride is one of the many activities available to persons who visit the Negril area. Tourists have the option of hiring any of the glass bottom boat tour providers to take them from any of the resorts, guest homes, and attractions like the Rick’s Cafe, or other restaurants and private homes that face the beach.

Edutainment on-board

All the boats come with some form of 'edutainment', whether it is a speaker blaring conscious music or short skits acted out by the ship captains, giving details of the Jamaican culture and of course, stories of the West.

“The glass bottom tour is very popular in the west because of the clear waters. With the glass bottom persons can just enjoy the view of the many fish, coral and animal life without getting wet, but we also do snorkelling on the ‘Chelsea’,” said Speedy.

Arielle Wallace and Josh Rupert, who are visiting the island, THE STAR that "even if you are not visiting, the glass bottom boat tours are a must.”

It was already 3 p.m. when Speedy invited THE STAR to join the tour that would end two hours later. "There’s lots of food over Booby Cay, and the music is mostly reggae. You can come enjoy,” he said.