Snorkleing Suggestions (for 8 locations!), please!

[lisa928]

My husband and I are in our early thirties and will be on our third (NCL) cruise, this time 14-days from NYC to Miami leaving on 10/28. Over the past two cruises we have learned that we really did not enjoy the organized excursions, but rather catching a cab to a beach for snorkeling. Last time we did it ‘his’ way (i.e. grabbing a cab and asking the cabbie where the best place to go was) and this time we are doing it ‘my’ way (i.e. doing a little homework before, which is the reason I am here!).

Anyway, our cruise has eight stops (see itinerary below) and what I am looking for are suggestions of a quiet beach that is great for snorkeling, noting we have our own equipment! We are really big in saltwater fish with a 220-gallon tank containing fish, live coral, inverts, etc. With that said, we are interesting in seeing more than purple tangs, parrot fish, or chromis fish. I am looking for sharks or turtles, but would love to see a more variety of fish and some corals. (I know, one of these days we will get out scuba licenses). Oh, by the way, when I say quiet beach I would prefer some place without water sports, not a lot of people, and I could care less about amenities, but at the same time I would prefer not to be an hour away from the port.

Okay, I know that is a lot of info, but I am hoping the more detailed the more likely the recommendations will fit what we are looking for.

• Aruba
  
• Barbados
  
• Cozumel
  
• Curacao
  
• Grand Cayman
  
• Jamaica (Ocho Rios)
  
• St. Thomas
  
• St. Kitts
  

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

Lisa

[cul8er]

I was on the Celebrity Millenium in 2005 and we stopped in St. Thomas, took a ferry to St. John and hiked on the different trails through the national park. One of the trails (somewhat difficult) led down to a series of empty coves where you could have your own small private beach to snorkel from. I, of course, didn't think to bring my snorkeling gear, but it would have been amazing. Due to the rocky and steep trail, not very many people made the trek, so you would be able to "get lost" there easily. Good luck!

 

Also, at Grand Cayman there is a bar/restaurant close to the port where you can walk down stairs from the bar deck right into the water to snorkel, but I forget the name of the bar. It has a statue of a pirate outside of the entrance.

 

You should not plan on snorkeling in Jamaica because the reef has been dead for a while and there are very few fish due to overfishing.

[cruiseequalsfun]

Please see some of my posts in the Cozumel Port of Call board of a great area to snorkel. The beach is not that great (rocky), but the snorkeling was amazing, very, very clear. Dzul Ha / Palmar Estates is the area.

 

 

Barbados we did an excursion on our own through SilverMoon and it was the best. A little expensive but it was all day, included lunch, drinks, and 2 snorkel stops - one with turtles.

 

You probably want to check out the boards in the Port of Call section for each island, as that will give you the most information as many have posted these questions there.

 

Have fun!!

[ncboatdrvr]

I will echo Cruiseequalsfun's comments on Cozumel. My wife and I spent the day at Palmar Estate two years ago. Great day...Great snorkelling. Very private, we had the place to ourselves, and easy to get to by cab.

 

In Barbados, we did a private excursion with Stephen Tryhane/ Thriller Tours. Great experience here as well. He makes a stop in a small bay to feed and snorkel with sea turtles.

 

I have posted on other threads about both these places with more info if you care.

 

In Curacao we did an island tour/snorkel with Curacao Actief, again you can find more info on the Curacao thread. We enjoyed the day here, very informative guide and saw some great sights. However, we did not get to snorkel as much as we wished. The place we went was excellant though and very private - 30 minutes off road by 4-wheel drive to get too.

 

In St. Thomas we took a cab to Sapphire Beach in the morning and it was relatively quiet and decent snorkelling. We then took a cab to Coki around lunch time, which was very busy and crowded. Didn't see much in the way of spectacular sea-life at either place, but large quantities of fish at both.

[sheephugs]

In Barbados I have heard wonderful things about Silvermoon however if you are watching your $, Thiller is fantastic. Also, Stephen makes the best rum punch ever!

 

In St. Thomas, we took a taxi to Coki Beach. We got there early (read on the boards it is a small beach with larger crowds as the day progresses). The sea life was great! Saw turtle, sting ray, & tons of colorful fish.

 

P.S. Frankos maps website sells great laminated "fish cards" for identification. Just got mine for my cruise next month so I can identify the colorful fish.