Best Snorkeling on Eastern?

[DisneyMom&Fan]

We will be doing the 7 night Eastern next year and would like to try snorkeling at least once. Where is the best? I heard Trunk Bay is great, but I also heard that Castaway Cay is ok too. Anyone have a favorite?

 

[wendilyn]

Grand Cayman has much better snorkeling than Castway. Cozumel is great too, but the waves can be tough. Check out any grand cayman website and you'll find nice beach to go to and boat tours. I don't recommend snorkeling with the sting rays! Our kids were scared and my husband go bit.

 

[mickeyboat]

Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is ideal for a first time snorkeler. I did not snorkel at CC, so I can't speak to that.

Denae

 

[jrabbit]

Anywhere on St. John's (Trunk Bay is on St. John's). And there is NO comparison between there and Castaway Cay, or between any stop that DCL makes and CC. CC is at the bottom of the list for snorkeling.

That being said ...
Snorkeling on CC (family beach) is pretty lousy. DCL has made it a bit more interesting by placing artifacts and "fish houses" in the area. Also, with the breakwater it makes it MUCH easier for people that have not snorkeled before to give it a try (even children). And with the "safety net" that keeps larger critters out (ie sharks) will make people much more comfortable giving it a try. They are working with marine biologists from Sea World in creating a habitat for the sea critters. Even in a hundred years I don't believe that there will be much to see because LOTS of people stop and stand up and touch things that that is not condusive to a marine habitat.

Bottom line: snorkel elsewhere.

 

[JSCTRico4]

I totally agree with the last poster! We were so spoiled by Trunk Bay that we were excited to snorkel again at CC. What a MAJOR disappointment! At Trunk bay, the water was CLEAR! You were forbidden to touch anything out by the reef.... they were very serious about that..... CC was cloudy, rough water... I couldn't wait to get back to shore and go do other things. I think the only way I would try it again was if the water was very calm, and there weren't already a lot of people out there. DON'T wait to snorkel at CC!

 

[DisneyMom&Fan]

I'm glad you all told me about Castaway Cay -- I was going to wait and do the snorkeling there! I have also heard other great things about Trunk Bay on these boards, so I think I'll look into an easy excursion through DCL, or maybe even doing on our own.

Thanks for the info and have a great day! BTW, I LOVE THE DIS BOARDS!! -- and am totally addicted just like the rest of you...

 

[jrabbit]

BTW, I LOVE THE DIS BOARDS!! -- and am totally addicted just like the rest of you...

No you're not, you've been on for a whole week and only have 11 posts

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I used to consider snorkelling in Serenity Bay at CC to be some of the best snorkelling (when the waves were not too rough). But the THREE hurricans that have hit the island since DCL began opperations have taken their toll on the wildlife you're likely to see.

[Remaissing]
I can remember the first time I ever snorkelled in Serenity Bay. It was the 2nd year of DCL operations. The sea floor with litteres with whole sand dollars. Foot wide star fish were all over the place. Several live (and large)conchs were redilly found (you just has to run accross one of their trails and follow it to where the tail ended at a conch). Various fish could be spotted, and over the course of multiple snorkel trips, various sea life encountered (shark, 3-4' stingray, lobsters).

Allass, the last time i snorkelled in Serenity Bay (actually around the corner where the Kyayk adventure is done) we saw nothing but sea grass.

 

[DisneyMom&Fan]

jrabbit, I READ more than I POST -- I'm a bookworm and a little shy. I only discovered these boards about 2 months ago, but I can't help myself -- I read them EVERY DAY!

I'll try my hardest to post more...

 

[Popovich]

We were on the 11/27/04 Eastern and did the Doubloon Sail and Snorkel to Trunk Bay. It was beautiful. It was myself, DH, DD just turned 7, DS 5. We all loved it. The kids didn't snorkel the whole time. They were a little intimidated by the experience, but they crew gladly helped the kids board the ship and entertained them with games. They encouraged the parents to enjoy the rest of the snorkel time and we did.

The water was clear and the crew of the Doubloon were outstanding. They were the best part of the trip. Our kids said it was the best part of the whole cruise and DH and I have fond memories of the bannana benders (frozen cocktail served after snorkeling on the way back to the ship).

I would highly recommend the Doubloon trip to Trunk Bay. A very family friendly trip.