We went on the 5 Islands, Blue Cave and Blue Lagoon tour yesterday. I would recommend but not for anyone with back conditions.
Positives
Our host, Emma, was excellent—friendly, informative, and engaging throughout the trip. The company kept us well informed, including updating us when the tour had to be postponed due to the weather. The pick-up location was easy to find thanks to the clear instructions provided.
The locations we visited were all worth seeing, and Emma gave helpful information and recommendations on what to do, see, and eat at each stop.
I would recommend bringing your own snorkelling equipment if possible. Equipment is provided, but the quality isn't the best.
Negatives
There were strong northerly winds creating large waves. While I understand the weather is beyond anyone's control, the skipper (a young lad, around 20 years old) did not appear to have the experience or training to handle those conditions effectively. Instead of navigating the waves at an angle and adjusting speed, he repeatedly powered straight through them, causing the boat's hull to slam heavily into the troughs.
The impacts were extremely harsh. Two passengers were thrown from their seats on the outward journey, and on one of the return legs the skipper appeared to be racing another company boat, making the ride even more uncomfortable.
By the end of the trip, many of us felt sick, bruised, and sore. The weather was challenging, but a more experienced skipper would likely have been able to provide a much smoother and safer ride.
