Snorkelling Where?

[Norhtern Cruisers]

:) We are making cruise stops in Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Curacao and Aruba and would like suggestions where to dive and/or snorkel as well as shore snorkel. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

[10X]

Tortola: Go to the Baths on Virgin Gorda. Don't take a ship's excursion since you can do this cheaper on your own. Go to Speedy's ferry dock and catch the ferry. It's about a 10 minute walk toward town. They have a round trip package that includes taxi fare from the Virgin Gorda dock to/from the Baths.

http://www.speedysbvi.com/ferryservice/specials.html

 

St. Maarten: This island is not famous for its snorkeling or diving but the best snorkeling is reportedly at Pinel Island.

 

St. Lucia: You can dive and snorkel both at Ti Kaye Resort on Anse Cochon. Island Divers has a package price that includes round trip transportation from the ship's dock, lunch, and equipment.

http://www.islanddiversstlucia.com/schedule.htm

 

Barbados: Diving seems to be seasonal here, so I would opt for snorkeling. Take the Silvermoon catamaran for some snorkeling with turtles, then over a couple of small sunken ships. The tour includes lunch, snacks, drinks, and they have a great crew to boot. Very nice day.

http://oceanadventures.bb/sailing.htm

 

Grenada: I have not snorkeled or been diving here. I might do one or the other on our upcoming stop there in February.

 

Curacao: Reports seem to indicate that diving in Curacao is great, although I have not been diving here. I have twice snorkeled over a sunken tugboat in Caracas Bay. This is usually only available as a ship's excursion unless you happen to be in port on a day when the Bounty sails.

http://www.bountyadventures.com/

 

Aruba: I have twice been snorkeling in Aruba but never diving. I snorkeled over the Antilla, which was nice but way too crowded if more than one ship is in port. DePalm Island was much nicer for snorkeling. Ship's excursions usually offer a dive on the Antilla in addition to snorkeling.

 

Although I perfer diving, my wife only snorkels so sometimes I am relagated to snorkeling with her unless there is some with us who she can snorkel with.

 

If you go here you can see several underwater photos of some of these ports.

http://www.sunfield.smugmug.com/

 

Select Crusie 2006

Then select whichever port you are interested in. Underwater photos are separated by diving or snorkeling if we were able to do both.