Castaway Cay Snorkeling

[Meg_z10]

Hey Everyone
My family is going on our first Disney Cruise May 27th, for 5 night on the Dream. I'm soooo excited!

Anyway we're getting ready to book some excursions for Castaway Cay and I was hoping to get people's opinions on the different snorkeling options.
It looks like we can either choose...

Seahorse Catamaran Snorkel Adventure (2-2.5hrs 52$)

or

Snorkel Lagoon Equipment Rental (All day 25$)


Okay so has anyone does either/both of these excursions? I was leaning towards the seahorse adventure, just because it's in a "private area" which makes me think I might see more fish. But I'm not sure...what do you guys think? Is it worth the extra expense compared to just renting equipment?

Thanks,
Megan

 

[Meg_z10]

Oh follow up question...

Could we rent snorkel gear and use them where ever we want? For example could we go to the family beach and check out the snorkel trail and then head over to the adult beach and just snorkel on our own there?

Thanks again!

 

[kcashner]

You will not be allowed to snorkel in the swimming area of the family beach. In the family area, you will snorkel only in the snorkel lagoon. However you are welcome to snorkel off Serenity Bay if you are over 18. The two experiences are quite different.

The snorkel lagoon is certainly not as good as doing it off a ship (at least where I've done it off a ship). You have to go quite far out to get to anything good--the farther out you go, the better it gets. If you bring your own equipment, you can borrow a vest and snorkel free. The lagoon is a good first experience, and it is enjoyable...just not like the open ocean. And despite the fencing to keep out the big guys, you are still likely to meet Barry and his relatives--freaked me out big time the first time I saw "him." Unfortunately (per the lifeguards), Barry's family is very used to humans and sometimes gets a bit closer than a barracuda in the wild is likely to!

 

[ImDMous]

We went five years ago, so things may have changed. We didn't do the excursion, but we did rent snorkel equipment. We did the family beach area where the sunken 'treasure' is. As far as I know, you could take it everywhere but Serenity Bay is not very deep. We walked out pretty far and it was still not even waist high. The water is really clear there, but I'm not sure how much there is to see.

 

[kcashner]

We went five years ago, so things may have changed. We didn't do the excursion, but we did rent snorkel equipment. We did the family beach area where the sunken 'treasure' is. As far as I know, you could take it everywhere but Serenity Bay is not very deep. We walked out pretty far and it was still not even waist high. The water is really clear there, but I'm not sure how much there is to see.

The "sunken treasure" is in the snorkel lagoon. It is next to the swimming area on the family beach, but is separate from it. They don't allow swimmers (without snorkel vest/equipment) in the snorkel area and don't allow snorkelers (those with equipment) in the swimming area. The two areas are divided by a rope and some orange floats that you can see on the water surface. Below the surface there is a netting fence.

 

[jjgarv]

There are some sunken airplane parts (I believe that's what they are...) off of Serenity Bay. The water isn't deep, but there were a lot of fish around this equipment. And I did see the barracuda out there. I actually saw a bigger variety of colorful fish at this spot than I did in the snorkel lagoon. However, in the snorkel lagoon the whole way out around Mickey and past, there were many fish and a stingray.

 

[Grandma4ever]

Hey Everyone
My family is going on our first Disney Cruise May 27th, for 5 night on the Dream. I'm soooo excited!

Anyway we're getting ready to book some excursions for Castaway Cay and I was hoping to get people's opinions on the different snorkeling options.
It looks like we can either choose...

Seahorse Catamaran Snorkel Adventure (2-2.5hrs 52$)

or

Snorkel Lagoon Equipment Rental (All day 25$)


Okay so has anyone does either/both of these excursions? I was leaning towards the seahorse adventure, just because it's in a "private area" which makes me think I might see more fish. But I'm not sure...what do you guys think? Is it worth the extra expense compared to just renting equipment?

Thanks,
Megan

I have done both. The seahorse is good and you go out away from the island. The lagoon is not as good but it is less costly. I love to snorkel off of the adult beach there is an old engiene out there and the beginings of a coral reef. Lots of fish so if the kids will go to the club (if you have kids) that would be my vote!.

 

[gigi1313]

For a family of five, could we rent two sets of equipment and share? I don't see us all snorkeling at once...

 

[kcashner]

For a family of five, could we rent two sets of equipment and share? I don't see us all snorkeling at once...

Yes...and whether they are supposed to or not, they let you exchange fin sizes. Just take them the old size and tell them what you need. There is a lot of swimming--I can't do it without the fins.

 

[Abowers]

We have done the snorkel rental (all day) and just did it as we felt like it throughout the day. We also snorkeled with the sting rays... That was fun and good for smaller kids.

 

[Abowers]

As long as your family doesn't mind sharing and you are sure that you will not all be snorkeling at the same time, I would definitely only rent a couple to save money. Great idea!!

 

[gigi1313]

Yes...and whether they are supposed to or not, they let you exchange fin sizes. Just take them the old size and tell them what you need. There is a lot of swimming--I can't do it without the fins.

DH and DS15 have the same shoe size and dd17 and I have the same shoe size... and I don't expect ds4 to snorkel so we should be good! Thanks!

 

[bbagnall]

You didn't mention if you had snorkeled before. We did the Stingray Adventure at Castaway Cay where you snorkeled in the roped off area, it was my first time snorkeling. I loved it! I think if I was a person who had snorkeled before it would be okay or not worth it, but for a first timer like me it was a great introduction. I now want to snorkel the world! Keep in mind the area isn't very deep and you won't see very many fish just stingrays.

 

[Meg_z10]

I've snorkeled a few times on a trip in Mexico but I'm definetly still a beginner. I'm really just hoping to find a place with some colorful fishys I'm planning on buying a nice waterproof camera so I would be a little sad if I had nothing to take pictures of.

 

[truck1]

I've snorkeled a few times on a trip in Mexico but I'm definetly still a beginner. I'm really just hoping to find a place with some colorful fishys I'm planning on buying a nice waterproof camera so I would be a little sad if I had nothing to take pictures of.

If you snorkel in the laggon at CC, look at the items on the bottom, specifically the statues and the subs. The last time we were there, there was a lot of smaller aquarium sized fish, all over them. If you come up on them, look quick and keep going, youll never see them. You have to stop and look carefully.

 

[DizneyNutz]

I've snorkeled a few times on a trip in Mexico but I'm definetly still a beginner. I'm really just hoping to find a place with some colorful fishys I'm planning on buying a nice waterproof camera so I would be a little sad if I had nothing to take pictures of.

We were there in early December. I snorkeled at Serenity Bay for a couple of hours while DW took in some sunshine. I saw some colorful fish and some will gather around you if you stay still. I also found a 10" Bright Orange Starfish and a large stingray buried in the sand. All you could see was it's outline, the eyes, tips of it's wings and the tail was laid up on top of the sand. Something to remember if you plan to go wading there. I warned several people swimming nearby of it's presence. I have found the large orange starfish on several different trips. I found one last May so my sister could get her photo holding it. I always get a photo and put it back where I found it. One time it must have been conch breeding season because there were about fifty conchs gathered off the sandbar in an area about the size of a typical living room. There is plenty to see at Serenity beach if you take the time to cover some water.