Snorkeling on St. Thomas & St. Martin?

[TigerBravo1977]

I have posted this before, but never got any really definitive answers, so I'll try again: If we want to do some non-RCI booked snorkeling where should we go? I want to go somewhere that is easy to get to but not the one beach where everybody will be. Also, it would be nice to go somewhere where we can see fish, etc. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[AnthonyD]

I have never been to St. Thomas but am going this summer and planning on catching the ferry at Red Hook to go over to St. John. St. John has cinnamon bay and trunk bay which are supposed to be good for snorkeling.

[Maineac]

TigerBravo1977,

Have you gone over to the ports of call boards?...

Do a search thread and you'll find an abundance of info.:)

Also check out www.***** it's a great site.

Hope that helps.

[cruisetwin]

We haven't been to St. Thomas since our last cruise, but we took an excursion to Trunk Bay on St. John - I can tell you that this is still one of the most beautiful places I"ve ever seen. And they are still showing it on the travel channel as one of the best beaches. They have an underwater snorkle trail that was pretty cool - that was the first time we ever snorkled.

[gavaman]

Just to let you know you can take a taxi to two excellent beachs that have very good snorkeling and they rent chairs and snorkeling equipment etc. Lot less money compared to booking with RCCL. St Maarten snorkeling is not as good at St Thomas.

[SAS21]

gavaman: What are the names of the two beaches you mentioned?

[DeckLounger]

You can take a cab ($6pp) to Orient beach in St Martin. Then, for $15pp, you can take a jet ski to a snorkel area. Lots to see (fish, eels, coral), plus Orient is a beautiful beach!

[gavaman]

The best one to go to is Coki Point/Coral World. Lots to do and great snorkeling. I can't think of the other one but when I get home tonight I will send it to you.

[emen822]

We went there last March. The snorkeling was great and the water was calm. Enjoy! :)

[golfer1966]

We did the St Johns tour and went to Trunk Bay. I am sooo glad we did. Its not as crowded as Magens Bay. At Trunk bay, they have signs in the water there that show what kind of fish and coral you see. The sand was soft and clean. We just went to Megans Bay ...becuase its in the top 10 beaches in the world. In my opinion, its over rated. Its beautiful from above looking down from the mountain, but its so crowded. We regret not returning to Trunk Bay on this past cruise on 3/4 on the Serenade. We are going back in March 07 and will return to Trunk Bay.

 

Have Fun

[gavaman]

I got the name of the other beach I told you about. It's Sapphire Beach. Good spot along with Coki.

[retiredldo]

Here are my recommendations and in fact we have done this many times matter of fact last week during our cruise on the Mariner 3/6 3/12

 

St Thomas cab fare to red hook 10.00 per person each way,

 

Ferry Ride to st john 5.00 per person each way Ferry Ride 15 minutes runs every hour on the hour

 

Taxi to cinammon or trunk 6.00 per person each way

 

Entrance to Trunk bay 4.00 per person

 

Having said all that, it is still cheaper to do this than to take a similiar tour with the ship

 

Now another option for st thomas (again we have done this) rent a car, budget and avis just off of where the ships dock, drive to meghans bay in the am , come back park the car, do lunch aboard the ship and get out of the sun and then head over to saphirre beach in the afternoon

 

Best snorkeling is at st johns, better crowd control and if you go on your own and get out there early you avoid the ships crowds

 

St marteen rent a car, they will haggle with you, we got an economy car for 35 plus taxes 40 drove to dawn beach very nice, weather was a bit snippy but good for snorkleing on a good day. We then drove out to orient beach, here is my take on this place is a dump beach is nice but not for snorkleing plenty of sights to see, but can get crowded but it is up to you and what you want to see, when I say it is a dump, roads in are a mess, garbage and stuff all out back of the buildings where you park oh well

 

Hope this helps

 

Pete

[hisfirstm8]

I second the vote for Sapphire Beach. WE have gone there 2 different cruises and had a great time.