Snorkeling at Castaway Cay -- Fish?

[DizneyNutz]

We snorkeled at Serenity Bay-Adults only (not protected) and always see a ton of fish about 50 or so feet out by the 'wreckage' More colorful fish. We have seen many starfish, one octopus, a couple barracudas (one was about 4-5 feet long that followed us), tons of sand dollars, tangs, angels, butterfly fish, gobies, lionfish (some were really big), damsels, urchins, etc. We have only gone on cruises from Oct-December so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with what fish are there or not. When we snorkeled at the family beach we never saw anything worth snorkeling for.

Where is the wreckage you mentioned located? We are planning to carry our own fins and snorkel gear and would rather go in the unprotected area you describe if possible. Thanks

 

[justmestace]

The type of fish most people think of when they think about snorkeling in the Caribbean will not be found on the Family Beach snorkel area.

You will find a few if you snorkel off the adult beach.

But the only way you'll really see a lot of colorful, beautiful fish is to take the Seahorse Snorkel excursion.

 

[justmestace]

The lion fish was huge!

Lion fish are not native to the Caribbean, and they're not only getting huge, they're becoming OBESE because they eat all the other fish. They're terribly detrimental to the ocean envinronment and every time I see one, I seriously want to kill it.
They're one of the biggest reasons you won't see a lot of other pretty fish.

 

[kjackson83]

Where is the wreckage you mentioned located? We are planning to carry our own fins and snorkel gear and would rather go in the unprotected area you describe if possible. Thanks

We also brought our own snorkel gear The wreckage is a small little area about 50-75 or so feet out. When you enter Serenity Bay you take an immediate right and walk about 20-25 feet then the wreckage should be straight out about 50-75 feet out. It is not very big but a lot of fish tend to gather there. It's old boat parts-engine and a few other pieces. The water is probably 5-6 feet deep depending on the time of the day. When the tide goes out I can usually stand on my own otherwise I have to stand on my flippers Every time we have snorkeled there we have seen a couple barracudas but they never bother us. They swim near us, check us out, then move on. I usually place myself on the other side of my husband just in case, hahahaha!

 

[JnDRader]

We swam all around the place last summer. Saw plenty of tangs, damsel fish, goby's, and dragonets that I can remember. 1 ray. None in huge quantities like a natural reef though. I'm sure they're trying to grow it. I think it's worth doing.

 

[ptcbass]

Bump. Any updates on if it is worth renting or buying equipment for the family beach area?

 

[WaltDisney2014]

20,000 Leagues under the sea!? AWESOME!

 

[Bonniec]

What are the white, silvery fish near the shore line on the family beach?

 

[cmurray234]

We were just there on Friday. We saw many cool fish and sea turtles (my personal favorite). I also saw a barracuda, but he didn't bother us. Still ever-so-slightly startling.

 

[plannermom]

The type of fish most people think of when they think about snorkeling in the Caribbean will not be found on the Family Beach snorkel area.

You will find a few if you snorkel off the adult beach.

But the only way you'll really see a lot of colorful, beautiful fish is to take the Seahorse Snorkel excursion.

Sounds like you enjoyed it! Mind sharing any details? Do you think DS13 and DS11 would enjoy? And would it be worth the 150 cost for the 3 of us? thanks!

 

[FabFivePA]

But the only way you'll really see a lot of colorful, beautiful fish is to take the Seahorse Snorkel excursion.

Has anyone taken this excursion? I keep thinking about it, as it will be easier than the kids swimming that far out and back, but it will have to be really great to take that amount of time off the island.
Thanks!

 

[tatortot]

The key to successful snorkeling at Castaway Cay is to go early! We saw lots of great fish two weeks ago. The lion fish was huge!

Someone should have killed the lion fish. VERY bad for the reef and other fish.

 

[tatortot]

We were just there on Friday. We saw many cool fish and sea turtles (my personal favorite). I also saw a barracuda, but he didn't bother us. Still ever-so-slightly startling.

Sea turtles in the enclosed family beach area? That had to be a first.

 

[justmestace]

Sounds like you enjoyed it! Mind sharing any details? Do you think DS13 and DS11 would enjoy? And would it be worth the 150 cost for the 3 of us? thanks!

Our family has done this excursion multiple times. We went the first time when our daughter and son were 8 and 11, and our son was probably 16 or 17 the last time he went with us.
So yes....it's usually really, really good. They've had the same crew on the boat that takes you out for as long as I've been going, and they're great.

There are two different reefs that they would go to. The first one is the BEST....very shallow and very colorful. But...because it's so shallow, they don't go to it if the waves are high. Too much danger of having people get pushed by the waves onto the coral and getting cut.

The second spot is good, also...but the number of fish you'd see at the second spot is usually lower. But both spots are far better than anything you'd see at the family beach, because it's enclosed, and there isn't any real reef to attract the fish.

As far as the money goes....I can't say that for you. We just aren't happy sitting on the beach...and after multiple times at CC, all the little activities just don't thrill us. But what we do, is book the first Seahorse Snorkel in the morning, and then we are back by lunch time and still have several hours to mosey around.

 

[justmestace]

Has anyone taken this excursion? I keep thinking about it, as it will be easier than the kids swimming that far out and back, but it will have to be really great to take that amount of time off the island.
Thanks!

See my post number 34 below.

 

[KathleenlovesMickey]

Has Disney ever improved there snorkel vests? Lat time I used them the air went out on mine I almost had to signal the lifeguard to come and get me. I was so far out and i had been swimming all around to see Mickey I was exhausted. Why have them if they don't really work?

 

[FabFivePA]

See my post number 34 below.

Awesome, thanks! That's a big help!

 

[tigger2002]

Video I took a couple of years ago at Castaway Cay.

>-> Fish Video

<

 

[amie416]

If we're bringing our own equipment and snorkling only in Serenity Bay (all-adult party), will they still require us to wear life vests?

 

[com_op_2000]

Checkout this thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2371788
It is originally from 2010 but has pictures of sharks and other sea life taken at CC. It also has my encounter with a Black Tip Shark at the CC-SB beach.