Best Snorkling???

[Celebrategoldens]

We are going on the Magic on 8/24/2002. I have a question. Where is the BEST snorkling on the Eastern Cruise? Is it on a Disney Excursion, somewhere you went "on your own" (please tell how you arranged the trip) or at Castaway Cay???
If you have more than one "NOT TO MISS" snorkling destination, please let us know!
Thanks!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

The snorkeling really isn't as exciting at St Maarten as it is at St Thomas/St John. At St Thomas, the best snorkeling is at Coki Beach. At St John, do it yourself and go to Cinnamon Bay. Most of the excursions go to Trunk Bay, but Trunk Bay is overused and pretty much ruined.

 

[tlt]

It sure is a lot cheaper, plus you get more time if you do your own snorkeling trip...tons of cabs available right outside the ship. For St. Thomas, we liked Coki Beach and for St. Martin, we liked Dawn Beach...we'd do them both again over booking an excursion with the cruise line. Our friends booked excursions with the cruise line and only ended up getting about 1 and1/2 to 2 hrs. of snorkeling time. We were off the ship as soon as they allowed us and got two full days of snorkeling, plus, some great beach time.

 

[MnParrothead]

Cinnamon Bay, St. John's.

 

[Celebrategoldens]

for the answers on good snorkling places. What is the best way to get to Cinnamon Beach on St. John, on your own?

 

[abitjaded]

We cruise in October. Before settling on this cruise we were going to go the the U.S.V.I. There is a good snorkeling trip to "Buck Island", not the one off St Croix (which is supposed to be incredible). Finally, after talking to our local dive shop I was able to pin down the location. (Even DCL could not do it.) The Island is in the Capella Islands slightly south and east of Charlotte Amalie. It is part of the Nat'l Park service preserve. Other folks have spoken highly of this trip. It is a half day which still leaves time to shop or see a bit of St Thomas.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by Celebrategoldens

What is the best way to get to Cinnamon Beach on St. John, on your own?

Take a taxi to the Red Hook ferry terminal on the east end of St Thomas. Take the ferry to St John. Take another taxi to Cinnamon Bay.

 

[tlt]

How long does it take to get to Cinnamon Bay? We went to a few years ago and it seems that it took a couple hours out of our day to catch the 2 cabs, plus it seems like the ferry ride was at least 45minutes one way...we both remember not having a lot of time to snorkel at Cinnamon Bay? Has it changed or are we just remembering wrong? That is why last time we went to Coki Beach on St. Thomas instead...to allow us much more time to snorkel and do the beach. Anyone know how much time it takes to get to Cinnamon Bay??

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

It does indeed take a while to get from the ship to a St John beach and vice versa. But most people who've done it say it's worth it. My personal preference is to save time and money and go to Coki Beach on St Thomas. I'm sure I will someday visit the USVI on a land-based vacation, and then I will give St John the attention it deserves.