Snorkel at Castaway Cay or Nassau

[lookinforthesun]

I am trying to decide which shore excursion to do. Do you think I should snorkel at Castaway cay or Nassau. Which is better scenic wise. I was planning of getting married and then go snorkeling immediatly after the reception but I dont want to do this if the snorkeling will be better in Nassau. What is your favorite shore exscurions? Is there any I must do?

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

We did the Blue Lagoon trip in April and I snokeled there and at Castaway Cay.

Blue Lagoon - saw 2 fish, some snails, and a few rocks in the small lagoon area. We weren't allowed to snorkel in any of the places marked on the map where the good snorkeling is. Read my thread on "Blue Lagoon turned into Boring Lagoon".

Castaway Cay - saw 2000 fish, underwater Mickey, buried treasure, coral, anchors, chains, and more. Would have sent the whole day snorkeling if I could swim better.

You'll have to get opinions from others who went to the Nassau snorkeling boat trip, but I think Castaway Cay is 100x better than Blue Lagoon.

 

[frakers]

It's been a few years since we did, but last time we snorkled at CC I was told I couldn't go under water in several areas. I like diving to the bottom but was told twice to not do that again (I guess I didn't listen the first time). This was by 2 different cast members. It made no sense at all.
The snorkeling at the adult beach was not good. Much too shallow. I guess they figure everyone stays on the beach.
I have been in Nassau several times and have always enjoyed it.
Maybe this changed over the years or maybe we happened to be in CC on a day the CMs decided to be "funny". There were areas we could dive, but there were a lot where we weren't allowed to go under.

 

[CaliCruiser]

Is it better to buy gear or rent it at Castaway Cay?

I'm wondering if luggage space is worth it over rental price.

 

[epjenk]

I was singularly unimpressed with snorkling at Castaway Key in May 03. I saw about 50 of the same yellow fish and that was it. I swam WAY out trying to see something interesting but there was nothing there. I actually got scared that I wouldn't be able to get all the way back when I realized how far I was from shore. I haven't snorkled in Nassau on the disney excursion, but I have snorkled off Lyford Cay with Stuarts Coves snorkling co. That was great snorkling and I got to see an incredible number of fish.

 

[CaliCruiser]

I want to find Mickey's Head, checkout the sunken treasures and ships, any hints on where they are?

I'll probably buy some snorkel gear for my family and just bring a larger suitcase.

June 24

 

[epjenk]

There are CMs in the lifeguard stands in the snorkling area of Castaway Cay that will tell you where to look if you ask them. There are numbered buoys they can point you to.

 

[CaliCruiser]

cool, thanks!

Now, where do you think the best place to plant ourselves at Castaway cay? We are probably going to have the Grandparents in hammocks and we will set up camp for them. I want to be able to be close enough to the bbq, but on the beach too.

Any recommendations?

I tried to use the search today, but it's disabled.

 

[1stNoel]

The lifeguards don't let you dive underwater? When we were there in 1999 it was like swimming in a huge sandy bottom pool. There wasn't a reef and there were very few fish because of that. I saw a total of four fish. Have they built a reef underwater to attract fish and they don't want you diving down to touch it?

 

[prymsu]

have you snorkeled before? If not then you might be ok with Castaway Cay, but personally i think the excursions you can book at Nassau has way better snorkeling. Just my thoughts.

 

[CaliCruiser]

My brother's family have never snorkeled. I want something safe for his kids (13,12,7). We are going to Atlantis pretty much all day and then getting some straw hats in Nassau.

I hope Disney has improved their snorkeling because I don't want to be disappointed at the end of our cruise.

Any recommendations on where to set up base camp for our family?