sherri.l Posted February 7, 2006 #1 Share Posted February 7, 2006 We are cruising next week on the Destiny and a large group of us are planning to go to DePalm Island. Has anyone been there recently? I've been reading some mixed reviews concerning the reef (one said it was dead, totally brown) and that it gets really crowded. just want to know if its worth going to . Appreciated any opinions sherri.l Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimcruiser Posted February 7, 2006 #2 Share Posted February 7, 2006 We were just there on January 20th. It was kind of crowded but not too bad. They had a storm come through I guess so the water was cloudy so no snorkeling for us. It was very beautiful though and I would love to go back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinJul Posted February 7, 2006 #3 Share Posted February 7, 2006 DH and I were at DePalm Island last year. The coral was brown, but there were a lot of very colorful fish and the water was very clear. It was not crowded at all the day we were there. The facilities were vey clean and we would go there again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lnew1gd1 Posted February 7, 2006 #4 Share Posted February 7, 2006 We were there in September and would go back. The coral was definitely brown but lots of beautiful fish. Beach nice, clean. Good facilities. Lunch available. Not crowded at all. Enjoy, Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoNoNanette Posted February 7, 2006 #5 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Hi guys! It's good to hear some positives about DePalm Island! Did you book it through DePalm Tours prior to your cruise? Did you do the all-inclusive? The place sounds heavenly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lnew1gd1 Posted February 8, 2006 #6 Share Posted February 8, 2006 We did the off road jeep adventure and part of that excursion at the end of the tour was a ferry to DePalm Island. Lunch was included in the excursion cost. So were non-alcoholic drinks during the off-road portion of the excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldercruser Posted February 8, 2006 #7 Share Posted February 8, 2006 When we went last year we did it as ship tour. The tour included DePalm Island only. We found it to be an enjoyable half day to enjoy the beach, a little snorkeling and some good food. Probably will not repeat, but glad we went once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkebrad Posted February 8, 2006 #8 Share Posted February 8, 2006 We stopped in Aruba last Thursday and did the DePalm excursion through Princess. $42. We had a very good time there and would recommend it. I thought the snorkeling was very good. Yes, the coral is brown, but lots of fish and other sea life. The coral starts immediately at the shore, no long swims or boat rides to get there. The food was only so-so, but everything else was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldogmom Posted February 9, 2006 #9 Share Posted February 9, 2006 We were in Aruba last April and we took a "snuba" tour to DePalm Island. The island was beautiful. Like I said we did "snuba" the coral isn't as pretty as some I've seen in the Caribbean but it was still pretty, it just didn't have as many bright colors as some. We still saw lots of fish though, one fish even came up and tried to "kiss" us, it had been trained to come up to your mask if it wanted a treat. The water was pretty cloudy but it was also very choppy that day and it was pretty crowded so that is probably why. We didn't have trouble seeing the coral or the fish though, it wasn't that cloudy. There were tons more people snorkeling than there were doing the "snuba" I'd highly recommend the snuba if you have the opportunity, it takes snorkeling to the next level. They also have a lunch area set up where you can eat (BBQ type lunch but also with hot dogs and hamburgers) and drink, all of it was included in our tour, I think it was included with everyone else's as well though because I didn't see anyone taking any money. I'd defianately go back, even if it was just for the snuba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tango9 Posted February 18, 2006 #10 Share Posted February 18, 2006 If one does not like to snorkel, is there a beach area with a gentle slope into the water? Also, Princess offers a moring and an afternoon tour, buti it seems that you would get a rather early lunch with the morning tour, or a late lunch with the afternoon tour. What have people done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdeane Posted February 20, 2006 #11 Share Posted February 20, 2006 We were there last week and loved it. There is a nice sandy area with chairs and huts for shade. If you keep walking past the first area where most of the snorkelers are, then you come to 2 nice coves with lovely water to swim if you want. The cove is protected and very calm. We enjoyed the food and the time at DePalm. I would certainly do it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taraandsean Posted February 23, 2006 #12 Share Posted February 23, 2006 mdeane, how was the weather? warm i hope . we are going on march 17th and have booked the helmet/ snorkling tour on the brillance and we are hooping for good tanning weather. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bennett'sCruise Posted March 21, 2006 #13 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Thinking of booking this on my own, not thru the ship. Can I get the ferry around mid-day and then take a ferry when I want back ... or is there just one back at the very end of the afternoon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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