Want gorgeous beaches and really good snorkeling , which itenary ?

[Cleous]

Hi, looking at symphony for end Jan 21, want to see as much sea life and wild animals as possible was looking at these 2 itenaries 

 

Eastern 

Labadee- excursion out to sand bar island 

San Juan - paddle boarding to see manatees

St Thomas- sapphire bay

Coco cay - stingray excursion

 

Western

Costa Maya - blue quay

 

Cozumel - chakanab or money bar

 

Roatan - little French quay and sloths or West bay and sloths, monkeys

 

Coco cay - stingray excursion

 

What do u all think is better for end Jan 

 

 

Edited April 14, 2020 by Cleous

[brillohead]

Western is my preference.  The water at Roatan was the clearest snorkeling water I've ever experienced.  (You can snorkel and see animals both at Daniel Johnson's.) 

[Sunshine3601]

I agree western caribbean itinerary will offer you some of the best snorkeling.

 

But our favorite is a southern caribbean to the ABC islands.  We absolutely love aruba and their beautiful blue waters.  Bonaire is awesome for snorkeling. 

Wherever you go I am sure you will enjoy!

[jsf]

Southern Carib. for sure

[Jimbo]

5 hours ago, brillohead said:

Western is my preference.  The water at Roatan was the clearest snorkeling water I've ever experienced.  (You can snorkel and see animals both at Daniel Johnson's.) 

Agree, best place for snorkeling.

[jp2746]

Roatan!  I have been dreaming about West Beach since leaving two years ago. You can snorkel right from the beach and it is beautiful.  

 

The only snorkeling that was close or even better was Curacao.  But I don't remember where we went and it was a long time ago. 

 

We are planning a trip this summer. 😕  The only itineraries that I will consider is one the includes Roatan.  I am cheap and I will pay more to go to West Beach.  I have even told our kids that we may have to move there one day.  lol  And I agree, Daniel Johnson sloth tour and West Beach is your best bet.

[Host Star]

10 hours ago, Cleous said:

Hi, looking at symphony for end Jan 21, want to see as much sea life and wild animals as possible was looking at these 2 itenaries 

 

Eastern 

Labadee- excursion out to sand bar island 

San Juan - paddle boarding to see manatees

St Thomas- sapphire bay

Coco cay - stingray excursion

 

Western

Costa Maya - blue quay

 

Cozumel - chakanab or money bar

 

Roatan - little French quay and sloths or West bay and sloths, monkeys

 

Coco cay - stingray excursion

 

What do u all think is better for end Jan 

 

 

Western is much better for snorkeling.  Roaran and Cozumel are excellent.  Just like swimming in an aquarium. 
nothing on the eastern is very good except st Thomas and I would do a snorkel tour not sapphire beach. 

You will love Roatan.  Water is clear and lots of beautiful fish.  

[BIG DADDY MEL]

I would choose Western.  We were on HOS this past January and water clarity was horrible along with rough seas in St. Maarten & CoCo Cay.

[The Fun Researcher]

Having done Eastern and Western multiple times, and finally the Southern ABC islands last year, I would recommend the true Southern itineraries.  All three islands (Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba) have amazing snorkeling, the best we've experienced.  Literally every beach we snorkeled from was fantastic.

 

Dan

[Cleous]

Thanks all for replies, western it is 

[jsf]

Many don't go to the Southern islands because of the extra cost of getting to San Juan to sail south so not nearly as many reviews.

[The Fun Researcher]

13 minutes ago, jsf said:

Many don't go to the Southern islands because of the extra cost of getting to San Juan to sail south so not nearly as many reviews.

 

There are many 8 or 9 night cruise options that go to the ABC’s from Florida.  Just did it last year on the Navigator.

 

Dan

[Sunshine3601]

Yes I too have done several true southern caribbean cruises to aruba bonaire curacao from florida.  Have never been to SJ yet.  Booked on a sailing this december that will stop in SJ.

To the Op you will love the western caribbean sailing!!

[Drock20J]

On 4/14/2020 at 5:26 AM, brillohead said:

You can snorkel and see animals both at Daniel Johnson's.) 

Daniel Johnson's is THE BEST! He personally took our boat out for snorkeling. He is a great guy!

 

The Barrier reef that runs down Central America is the 2nd largest in the world and Roatan is top-10 snorkeling in the world.

 

In Cozumel there is a Scuba/Snorkeling park where they have sunk stone statues to increase coral growth.