Post your Eastern Caribbean Excursions here!!!

[pjpoppins]

Where would one recommend the best place to snorkel between St. Thomas/St. John's, St. Maartin, and Castaway Cay? My DD8 (at time of sailing) has really mastered snorkeling and is a huge animal lover. She has just gotten into the stage where she's not afraid of "yucky" animals and likes to catch frogs, pet stingrays, etc. I'd really like to tour the islands some, maybe we could find a blend of both. But if CC has adequate snorkeling with plenty of fish to see then I would just do it there as I think we will just be relaxing at CC. Also, my DW and DM will be with us and would have no interest so I'd like to find something where they could lounge in the sun either on the beach or on a boat. Thanks!

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Didn't need the stroller on this cruise for my 3 year old! There wasn't much walking from the port to the beach excursion shuttles. We did French Riveria beach excursion but didn't like how many locals kept asking us to buy stuff. It was constant the whole time we were there. Next we did Magen's Bay beach excursion and the surf was so rough it kept knocking my kids (3 and 8 ) over and pulling them out. They were at the edge and it was that strong! These places are beautiful but as rough as the surf was with little to no beach at Magen's Bay I wouldn't recommend it with little ones. It was high tide so maybe it's not always like that all of the time.

So strange. That was not our experience at all. Megan Bay Beach on St. Thomas was our favorite beach (October 2013). The water was so warm and calm that even when I swam out to a point where I couldn't stand I could still see the bottom. My boys are 3 and 5. They swam without a problem. There were no waves whatsoever. There were infants wading in the water with their parents. I found a spot under a tree near the edge of the grass to put our towels and bag. I would say there was at least 25-30 feet of beach between me and the water. Oh, and this was the only beach we visited that had life guards. Loved this beach.

On a side note I would not book this excursion through Disney. We did it on our own for way less. It was $16 pp round trip for the taxi and $4 pp (over 13 only) to enter the beach. Super easy to get the taxi and it took about 20 minutes to get to the beach. We got there about 10 AM and stayed until about 2 PM.

 

[Silverfox97]

We went to Magens Bay in March and it was rough, but regardless, I was not a fan. Once you've gone to St John, other beaches don't compare IMHO.

No more St Thomas beaches for us. St Thomas is just a stop on the way to St John

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ilovepooh]

yep no beach to the point that the water came up to the chairs each time and there was a very rough surf November 2-9, 2013 cruise. I have some pics I will post as soon as I can get it together lol

So strange. That was not our experience at all. Megan Bay Beach on St. Thomas was our favorite beach (October 2013). The water was so warm and calm that even when I swam out to a point where I couldn't stand I could still see the bottom. My boys are 3 and 5. They swam without a problem. There were no waves whatsoever. There were infants wading in the water with their parents. I found a spot under a tree near the edge of the grass to put our towels and bag. I would say there was at least 25-30 feet of beach between me and the water. Oh, and this was the only beach we visited that had life guards. Loved this beach.

On a side note I would not book this excursion through Disney. We did it on our own for way less. It was $16 pp round trip for the taxi and $4 pp (over 13 only) to enter the beach. Super easy to get the taxi and it took about 20 minutes to get to the beach. We got there about 10 AM and stayed until about 2 PM.

 

[hgon76]

Where would one recommend the best place to snorkel between St. Thomas/St. John's, St. Maartin, and Castaway Cay? My DD8 (at time of sailing) has really mastered snorkeling and is a huge animal lover. She has just gotten into the stage where she's not afraid of "yucky" animals and likes to catch frogs, pet stingrays, etc. I'd really like to tour the islands some, maybe we could find a blend of both. But if CC has adequate snorkeling with plenty of fish to see then I would just do it there as I think we will just be relaxing at CC. Also, my DW and DM will be with us and would have no interest so I'd like to find something where they could lounge in the sun either on the beach or on a boat. Thanks!

St John is a slice of heaven on earth! Breathtakingly beautiful. We did the Trunk Bay Snorkel. I learned I'm not equipped for snorkeling (got a little claustrophobic) but DH, DS & rest of our traveling crew loved the snorkeling there. There's a great little snorkeling trail to follow. I would go back just for the beauty of St John.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

We went to Magens Bay in March and it was rough, but regardless, I was not a fan. Once you've gone to St John, other beaches don't compare IMHO. No more St Thomas beaches for us. St Thomas is just a stop on the way to St John Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

We had planned to do St John / Trunk Bay on our own but it just didn't work out due to the government shutdown and the transportation I tried to coordinate in advance fell through. I would have done the Disney excursion but my son is under 5.

 

[MeganH]

great thread!! subbing to keep up!

 

[breesf]

Has anyone done the Castaway Cat Sail & Snorkel To Shipwreck Cove in St. Thomas and can provide a review please?

 

[lauralynn0612]

Has anyone done the Castaway Cat Sail & Snorkel To Shipwreck Cove in St. Thomas and can provide a review please?

My husband and I went on this excursion last January through Carnival. I thought it was good for what we paid. The crew was great, and we had a good snorkeling experience. I had never been snorkeling before, and they gave thorough instructions. The shipwreck was neat. We didn't see a whole lot so I guess this could be something to keep in mind. They do bring up sea urchins to look at. But we were beginners so it was a nice starting point, and we really didn't have anything to compare to it. The guides pointed out what the fish were and talked about the reef. And the rum punch was tasty!

Edit: 7.5 out of 10

 

[lynnirene]

St John is a slice of heaven on earth! Breathtakingly beautiful. We did the Trunk Bay Snorkel. I learned I'm not equipped for snorkeling (got a little claustrophobic) but DH, DS & rest of our traveling crew loved the snorkeling there. There's a great little snorkeling trail to follow. I would go back just for the beauty of St John.

I agree, St John / Trunk Bay was just gorgeous. I chickened out on the snorkeling part of my excursion there (sea creatures scare me and DH isn't much of a swimmer), but I loved just wading/swimming in the crystal clear, calm water in the bay while DH sat on the beach. It was so relaxing!

 

[sejejoemmiev]

Torn between the St. John Trunk Bay Beach and Snorkel Tour Excursion and the Doubloon Turtle Cove Sail and Snorkel. Which has better snorkeling? I know the kids would love to see Turtles. I would love to see St. John. Tour time seems comparable. Would love time after the excursion to do the Sky-ride to Paradise point. Any advice?

 

[mommymoose]

Thinking of booking our first Dis cruise in sept....love this thread!!

 

[minniemouse1]

Just booked with Great Day Charters and am so excited I will be sure to post and let everyone know how it was. We are a group of 12 with ages ranging from 62 to 1 1/2 years. We are doing snorkeling and St. Johns.

 

[staley98]

We did the Doubloon in June and the crew was great. The weather was horrible, but they went out of their way to make it fun for everyone.

 

[Magic Fanatic]

We did the Doubloon in June and the crew was great. The weather was horrible, but they went out of their way to make it fun for everyone.

I have to ask. Is Billy Bones still working with Doubloon. He was great years ago.

 

[jlk51496]

subscribing

 

[mootmoot]

This looks like a great thread - subbing for later reading! I'm hoping to find family excursion ideas, things to do for free (some in our party may not wish to spend $$$ on the excursions), and finally, a comparison between snorkeling/beach/recreation found on an excursion vs. what we get at Castaway Cay...??

 

[bryresangel]

After reading this thread, I am HOOKED on getting to ST. John! Has anyone done both of these excursions and if so, which is better? Or if you just have any advice about either of these to help make it easier Thanks!

 

[Kaizen]

Just booked with Great Day Charters and am so excited I will be sure to post and let everyone know how it was. We are a group of 12 with ages ranging from 62 to 1 1/2 years. We are doing snorkeling and St. Johns.

How big are their boats (group size)? We have a potential for 17 people. Would they all fit?

 

[smitty11k]

Is the snorkeling better in St. Marteen or St. John? DD is skeptical of snorkeling (scared of sharks) so if I can talk her into it I only get one chance. TIA