Castaway Sandbar Beach Adventure C55..vs..Abaco Rigid Hull Snorkling Adventure-Adult Only C54

[luvtotraveldcl]

Was wanting to get some comparisons on these two excursions. Specifically wanting to know if anyone who has done the sandbar excursion was able to go out a little ways from the sandbar and do some snorkeling on your own if you bring your own equipment? Really like the looks of the sandbar excursion but would also love to do a little snorkeling around there if there is deep enough water. What "if" has anyone seen of wildlife out there? I know there is maybe some conch but would we be able to see any different fish, turtles...stuff like that or is the excursion just something that we could only walk around on? I've heard mixed reviews on some people saying it was boring just walking around on a sandbar and others really enjoying it.

The other option is the Abaco Rigid Hull Snorkeling....is the sandbar part on this the same one or a different location and how is it as well? Kind of wavering on the snorkel part because people have said that it's hard to get in and out of he boat for it which I could see. We have no mobility problems but I'm assuming you have to jump into water to get in and then climbing back in is where people have said it's more difficult. I'm also assuming we would see way more wildlife on a reef but is it really worth it to book this one just for the reef snorkeling or would it be better to just do snorkeling on Serenity Bay? We have snorkeled there before and did see quite a bit but just trying to see if the price justifies this experience and which one of the two would be better. Thanks for any of your help!!

 

[ladyofthetramp]

We did the sandbar excursion this past July. You can snorkel close to the sandbar, it is quite shallow and I am not sure, what, if anything you would see. I suppose you could swim further out. No one on our excursion did, so I am not sure what, if anything the crew of the excursion would or would not say about it or what their rules are. They were pretty laid back.

As far as the boat- it is one of those rigid-hull Zodiac style boats- you slide right off or use the stairs to get on the sandbar. The crew does give you a "hand up" to use the stairs to get back on. I did not have any issues and I do not have mobility issues. Just as a sidebar- you do need to use a wooden ladder to climb down to the dock to get on the boat and they ask you to leave your shoes on the pier, so just a note if you are uncomfortable with that.

We enjoyed the sandbar excursion. I have snorkeled at the family beach many times. I feel like I would see more there and have seen more there vs. the sandbar. Always wondered about the Rigid Hull Snorkeling excursion myself. Would like to try it, if it is good, so following along with this thread as well. Good luck with your decision and have a great cruise!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I was debating this snorkeling Excursion for next year. Would love to hear from anyone that has snorkeled off the boat at CC. Wondering how the live reef is.

 

[luvtotraveldcl]

Thank you ladyofthetramp! Appreciate your opinion on the sandbar. So did you see anything besides conch on the sandbar? I'm assuming you just walk around and enjoy the view? Anyone else done either of these two lately? Would love to hear your experience. Thanks!

 

[luvtotraveldcl]

Bumping.....anyone else do either of these??

 

[Marc D]

We did the snorkeling excursion last March. It was a rough sea day, and most sea based excursions on CC were cancelled but ours was able to depart before they called everything off. We had a shortened snorkeling stop but what you see is more interesting than what you get to see at the family beach. The water is deeper and there are corals and fish schools. Getting in and out of the zodiac was not problematic, even for our 6yo son. Of course, since it’s deep-water snorkeling, it’s not for the mobility-impaired.

The sandbar is the same one you visit in the other port adventures. We saw a few guests snorkel around the sandbar but I don’t know what they saw or how it compared to the designated snorkeling spot.

A nice part of the excursion is the boat ride itself. You get to see the ship from an interesting perspective, plus you circumvent the entire island so you see SB and the family beach from the sea.

We grabbed lunch just after coming back then we snorkeled at the family beach in the afternoon.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Thank you ladyofthetramp! Appreciate your opinion on the sandbar. So did you see anything besides conch on the sandbar? I'm assuming you just walk around and enjoy the view? Anyone else done either of these two lately? Would love to hear your experience. Thanks!

No, just the conch. And a cooler to make rum drinks! LOL It was very peaceful there. I just sat and was amazed by the beautiful color of the water and the ocean around me. And you can walk it. The crew near the end shares stories and info about the Abacos. You play a few fun games. It was a fun way to spend a few hours.