You could also consider Paynes - 10 - 15 mins from cruise port ...it has the big advantage that you are almost guaranteed a swim with the turtles for free
The are easy to find ....just look out for the charter boats and cats ( which feed them) abut 75 -100 yds from the shore to wards the northern end
More than once I have picked up a lone turtle or two and swum with them without getting involved with the 'crowd'
I am assuming you are on a cruise so you could always pick a cheap set of fins at one of your stops but they are not (IMHO ) essential ...you already have the most important item (IMO ) the floatation vests which makes swimming and in particular treading water so much easier and less tiring
The wrecks at Carlisle are OK for fish but they are much further out than the turtles and at certain times the tides there can be fairly strong to swim against
Have a great time wherever you go
Edited: 12 years ago