Thread: Best Snorkel places?

I think Bonaire has the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. The water is so clear and there are many places to snorkel. There are lots of fish and many different types of coral.

It has been a long time since I have been to St. John's but from what I recall the snorkeling was good. When we were there it was not crowded since we were in the water a little after 7:00 AM and there were no crowds.
(Crowds can ruin it)

The new snorkels that block the water from getting in are great.

Mustaches !! NOTHING fixes this problem except shaving it off. DH has one and uses vasoline. It helps but the water still gets in. A good fit of the mask also helps.

Terrilynn S,

I snorkeled in Martinque also. The catamaran was gorgeous, the snorkeling not so good, the bat cave interesting. On our excursion they took us into the bat cave in one of those blow up dingys.

Originally Posted by Big4Chaps

What is a resperator?

Respirators are used for SCUBA diving, not snorkeling...but the seal on the mask could be broken due to facial hair.

Originally Posted by JodiBB

..but the seal on the mask could be broken due to facial hair.

You experienced with this Jodi?

I DON'T have facial hair but I have a problem with masks fitting me properly..might be the square head....The better quality the mask, the better the fit. I've decided that before our next trip, I'm buying a mask and snorkel rather than risk the rentals. They are a drag to pack and carry but in the long run will work out better for me.

Really, we need to think Eastern, Western, and Southern!

To us the Western offers the BEST! Hard to beat snorkeling in the Western Caribbean without going to Australia! Especially, awesome snorkeling in Roatan!

For the Southern both Curacao and Aruba are good -- would imagine as noted by "Sea Otter" Bonaire would be much the same. (Very easy to see tons of all sorts of different colorful fish in these places.)

When doing an Eastern, our vote (like many others) goes to St.John. (We like Trunk Bay.)

We like them ALL! Go and enjoy!

LuLu

Are there any cons to a dry snorkel???

Where to snorkel in Barbados????

Originally Posted by becca23

Where to snorkel in Barbados????

For an all around enjoyable day of snorkeling and relaxing, our entire family, including my 90+ yo grandmother (no snorkeling for her tho') , loved the Silver Moon in Barbados.

The website shorediving.com does just a fantastic job of describing and mapping out the different spots you are able to snorkel from. Yes, I know the title says "diving" but if you read the reviews of each "dive" spot, though the website is for "shore dives" there are many many comments about snorkeling these sites as well.

Some of my personal favs:
Catalina Cove (just north of Boca Catalina)
Boca Catalina (shade palapas)
--Boca Catalina & Catalina Cove are next to one another

Malmok Beach (rocky)
--The little sand beach at Malmok is tiny, so not a lot of people. If my memory serves me correctly, this spot is also a little further away from where the sail/snorkel excursions anchor.

De Palm Slope (on De Palm Island, thus not free)
Mangel Halto Reef (aka Spanish Lagoon)
Baby Beach Reef (the furthest taxi ride, thus more expensive to get to...)

Please avoid any beaches on the east side of the island or #1 Shallow Reef. My husband and I are both divers and diving in NJ have seen some rough conditions, but these waters on that side of the island are just treacherous.

The fare from Oranjestad to Baby Beach is going to be somewhere in the area of $35 each way.
Oranjestad to Arashi is $18.00 each way.
Oranjestad to Malmok is $17 - $18 each way.
Oranjestad to Palm Beach is $10 each way.
http://www.taxiaruba.com/

Thanks good info