Good Snorkeling Sight For A First Timer

DW is wanting to try snorkeling on our next cruise, going to Aruba/Curacao/Grand Turk. Does anyone have an opinion on where there might be a good beach to introduce her to snorkeling? I've heard that Baby Beach on Aruba is fairly shallow and mostly wave free, sounds like a good introductory location. Ideas/opinions? Thanks!

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Most ship tours handle beginners well, but this can be an expensive way to try. Beaches mean sand and sand generally means murky water and fewer fish.

The main beaches north of the port in Aruba are sandy and have little waves, but snorkeling isn't all that good. Some fish, just not as clear. Several points between beaches have rocky coves and better snorkeling there. Easy to get to, though - just cross the main street in town, diagonal right and pick up one of the number 10 buses. Around $2.40 US and they give change if they have it. Drop off anywhere (Eagle is first big beach, Marriott is end of the route). Buses run around every 20 minutes, plus the local vans will also run along the same route and are slightly cheaper. Baby Beach is south, but you would need to take a cab there. DePalm Island is also south, but snorkeling there depends on waves.

Best snorkeling we have ever seen was a beach snorkeling excursion off of Princess in less than 3' of water. They took us to the far end of the runway and water was absolutely clear and dead calm. Location was called Runway Beach.

She probably would NOT like the excursions that takes you to the sunken boat. Strong current and 90' of water. You can see lots of large fish and divers below but it is way too much work. Ours also had one stop near Eagle Beach but lots of algae that day. Good fish but green water didn't take good pictures.

Curacao has nothing near the port.

Grand Turk actually has some decent snorkeling to the right (east) beyond the salt pond, but this is the ocean side and can be rough. It is inside a reef, so not too bad. Had a local pet barracuda there a few years back.

Check the various port boards for other ideas. Get her a mask and snorkel so she can get used to it before the trip. And don't overtighten the strap!

Most ship tours handle beginners well, but this can be an expensive way to try. Beaches mean sand and sand generally means murky water and fewer fish.

 

The main beaches north of the port in Aruba are sandy and have little waves, but snorkeling isn't all that good. Some fish, just not as clear. Several points between beaches have rocky coves and better snorkeling there. Easy to get to, though - just cross the main street in town, diagonal right and pick up one of the number 10 buses. Around $2.40 US and they give change if they have it. Drop off anywhere (Eagle is first big beach, Marriott is end of the route). Buses run around every 20 minutes, plus the local vans will also run along the same route and are slightly cheaper. Baby Beach is south, but you would need to take a cab there. DePalm Island is also south, but snorkeling there depends on waves.

 

Best snorkeling we have ever seen was a beach snorkeling excursion off of Princess in less than 3' of water. They took us to the far end of the runway and water was absolutely clear and dead calm. Location was called Runway Beach.

 

She probably would NOT like the excursions that takes you to the sunken boat. Strong current and 90' of water. You can see lots of large fish and divers below but it is way too much work. Ours also had one stop near Eagle Beach but lots of algae that day. Good fish but green water didn't take good pictures.

 

 

Curacao has nothing near the port.

 

 

Grand Turk actually has some decent snorkeling to the right (east) beyond the salt pond, but this is the ocean side and can be rough. It is inside a reef, so not too bad. Had a local pet barracuda there a few years back.

 

Check the various port boards for other ideas. Get her a mask and snorkel so she can get used to it before the trip. And don't overtighten the strap!

Thanks for the info. We both purchased full face masks, she had a hard time using a standard mask and snorkel. Wish we could find something similar to Tabyana Beach on Roatan, reef only about 40 yards from the beach...

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We booked an excursion on Curacao through scubcao.com. They do mostly scuba but also do snorkeling. They pick you up and drop you off at the port. Excellent snorkeling. Did not snorkel in Aruba or been to Grand Turk.

DW is wanting to try snorkeling on our next cruise, going to Aruba/Curacao/Grand Turk. Does anyone have an opinion on where there might be a good beach to introduce her to snorkeling? I've heard that Baby Beach on Aruba is fairly shallow and mostly wave free, sounds like a good introductory location. Ideas/opinions? Thanks!

 

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Baby Beach is where the former Shell Oil wives would take their babies for a pleasant dip, it's THAT calm. Better snorkeling elsewhere, but..... TripAdvisor has all the info you need...not here. LocoLoco1

There's quite a few places to snorkel from Aruba's shore, and a rental car can take you to every one of them! Our favorite was Mangel Halto, near De Palm Island... but, like anywhere else, rough conditions will ruin the visibility and make reaching the reef difficult.