Thread: Kyaking at Labadee

Has anyone else done this? We did it in May and enjoyed it up to a point. We had a great guide and she gave us lot's of interesting information and I enjoyed the paddling around quite a bit. For those of you that know me, you know I was the one racing to the front and staying there. The thing I really didn't care for was the "village" we stopped at to buy souvenirs. OK, maybe I was expecting a real village so I'll take a little of the blame here. We paddled up to this beach and all these guys came running out to help pull the kyaks ashore, then they practically drag you to their "shop". They each have probably a 6'x6' area with a tarp over it with all their wares laying on little rugs on the beach. It was really hard to get away but we made it and went to hang out in the water. When it was time to leave, the guy that was trying to get us to buy something, actually came running after us as we were pushing the kyaks back into the water. He was angry and yelling at us. I understand they are poor and need the money but sheesh. For the most part it was fun, but I think RCI needs to do something about the "village", either quit stopping at it or talk to the vendors.

We did the Kayaking last year.... But we never made it to this "village" you speak of.

You see, I am a skinny little water person who threw herself into the task of propelling the little craft. My dear hubby, on the other hand, is an overly hefty land-lubber who was constantly barking directions on which way to go... leaning first left and then right as he deemed appropriate.

You guessed it. We ended up in the drink - - - upon which, land- lubber morphed into the very personification of panic.

I told him I would tow him to shore, but he refused to lift his feet from the bottom. Here he was, wearing an inflated safety vest in boyant salt water, holding onto an upturned plastic craft.... unconvinced that he could, indeed, lift his feet off the bottom without sinking.

It took some talking, but, I finally got him to simply lift those lead feet of his, whereupon, I swam the 100 or so yards to shore towing the kayak along behind... with land-lubber hanging on for dear life.

To this day, he insists I 'duked' him in the turquoise waters off the Bahamas on purpose... not so. But, let him believe it. At least he learned salt water isn't fatal.

OOOps!

I just realized your post was about Kayaking on Labadee, and I responded with a story about Kayaking on CocoCay!

Guess I'd better get with the program!

Sorry, Chud!

It was a great story so it was ok You paint a nice picture.

Chud thanks for the heads up and warning.............and Shelia it sounds like if you want to avoid the hassels of those selling their wares.......Coco Cay is the place to do this......

We are not going to do anything at Labadee...except do a little on our own snorkling...if there is a good place to do that...and rent a float and flowt around....

BUT...there is that word...BUT, we are looking at doing the Clear Kayak Adventure in Cozumel! Has anyone done this? It sounds like fun!


We still haven't made up our minds, what excursions we might do....the only one for sure is the Land and Sea in George Town, Grand Cayman....


I am all for just staying on the Mariner and reading and watching the sky behind my closed eyelids! But will entertain any suggestions.....

Our cruise is 10-9-05, on the Mariner!

Labadee is a nice place but there is too big a crowd when everyone arrives. The music had more of an African beat, not Caribbean Calypso. It was nice, but it would be better with a smaller ship.

was there more than one ship there or were you on one of the big ones? We were on the Navigator and there seemed to be plenty of room, but for part of it, we were out paddling around. Maybe is was crowded then.......

Chudley,

I guess I have been spoiled in the past. I noticed how cloudy the water was with this mass of people in the drink. I like clear water in the caribbean where you cast a shadow on the sandy bottom of the sea as clear as on the land. I did not see this in Labadee. Nice place, just too crowded, IMHO.

I see now what you meant, I didn't realize before. I do like the clear blue water also and you're right, I didn't think about it until now but it isn't that way there.