Snorkeling at Castaway Cay

[whithouston]

For anyone who has snorkeled at Castaway Cay, did you enjoy it and would you recommend/suggest it? Hopefully, we will be able to stop. We are seriously considering doing this on our stop at Castaway Cay. Thanks for the input.

 

[zeldacruiser]

We snorkeled at Castaway Cay on our first cruise, and it was good for us because we had never snorkeled before. Nice calm waters, plus a net so we didn't have to voice our secret fears about sharks. However, there aren't many different fish to see, and the waters get kind of murky after lots of people get out there. If you're an experienced snorkeler, you'd probably prefer doing an excursion at one of your ports, where you're likely to see more interesting fish, turtles, etc.

 

[qofhearts]

Yes, we snorkeled back on the Nov 27th cruise. Due to the hurricanes, there was a lot of damaged coral. The sea scape is pretty bare, not a lot of beautiful plant life, anemones or coral but We saw a lot of fish, big fish but you need to know where to look- mostly out where the life guards are- they have set up environments for the fish, pretty cool. Mickey statue was out for repair on the sunken ship which was a bummer, I wanted an underwater picture next to it. We have done a lot of snorkeling and this wasn't the most beautiful but there was a large variety of fish and lots of them.

 

[abitjaded]

Looks like you are doing the four day cruise? If you have snorkeled before and love it, this is fun to do. It is also good even if you are not experienced. We take every opportunity we can to snorkel. There is always something new to see! The bay at CC has no established coral reef, expect only to see fish, not colorful coral or slugs or urchins, etc. The bay has been created by man. There are "trails" marked by bouys above water that you can follow. The below water sites are all created, there are "gold" bricks and treasure. There are large pots that schools of medium sized fish school around, none of the fish are particularly rare, mostly Grouper and Yellow Jack, but beautiful, nonetheless. There are a few non-schooling varieties. A few Butterflies and Tang and Wrasse. We watched an Eel get badgered from his cove by a a few aggressive Tang, once. We have seen a few more unusual species. Hover over the the pots a bit and watch the fish bug each other. Keep an eye out for really tiny fish. The best areas are somewhat far out, easy enough for our younger kids to get to. But, you may have a long, cold, haul to get the kids back in if you follow the whole trail out in the winter months, but you can do it with decent gear and good fins to haul the little guys back in. My 10-12 yo kid did it easily, but I usually ended up towing my little guy (6-8 yo) back in. Wear the vests, then inflate them to let younger kids rest in the water if they run out of steam. Do not touch the bouys! They harbor stinging nematocysts!

Carla

 

[joanb]

There are several kinds of fish in the lagoon..go out to the far trail later in the day when most have been in and are gone. I got a photo of a baracuda and saw a huge grouper along with serval other fish..once saw a string ray colse to shore..take your time and you will see lots.

 

[Corryn]

Do not touch the bouys! They harbor stinging nematocysts!

Carla

I'm guessing nematocysts are some sort of very small organisms?
You only have to tell me once!

Also, I've been snorkeling before and I love it.
Last year we went out to our friends house in Jensen Beach and took a trip over to Hutchinson Island where there is a beautiful place called Bathtub Reef Beach. There's a small coral reef about 100 yards from the beach.(It was awesome - my husband's 37 birthday and he was surprised to see all these beautiful fish you would see in the pet store!)
We didn't have life preservers, but we did have a boogy board and it was excellent for hanging out on top of the water without touching the reef. I've heard on these boards that the lifejackets do not stay inflated long enough or whatever, but would it be a better idea to take a big round tube and lay on top of that and float above the water, or do the life jackets to a good enough job of holding you up there?

 

[joanb]

The lifejacket is required at CC lagoon. And you may not take a float into the snorkling lagoon.

 

[HookedonDCL]

If you bring your own snorkeling equipement what is the cost to rent the life vest? Any one know? TIA

 

[QuiltTeddy]

We did, but found it very boring. Nothing to see except a few little fish here and there.

We brought our own snorkels and masks, but rented the fins and the life vest was free.

 

[UGAFan0829]

The DH and I snorkelled on our cruise at CC. It wasn't what I expected, but I think it was mainly because of the weather. The water was a little cool, so that made it hard. Not only that, but the water wasn't very clear, so it made it hard to see. There were also a lot of other people who were snorkelling, so you have to be careful. We didn't get to make it out too far because I came face to face with a jellyfish and decided that was enough for me!

 

[lilo62]

I can't snorkle due to medical issues, but my DH wanted to give it a try since he's not one to just lay in the sun. Well, he discovered a new love! He really enjoyed it, had an underwater digital camera he brought along and got some really nice shots.

I know he'll snorkel in the Caymans this time while I'll be in the sun or shopping somewhere!

 

[Susie51]

We like to snorkle with noodles. Is a noodle considered a float?

We have are own snorkle equipment. How much do the vests cost to rent?

Thanks, Sue

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Vests are free. They won't let you swim with noodles or pasta of any kind for that matter. The vests do a great job of holding you afloat as long as you get one with a leaky valve.

 

[Susie51]

Thank you wdw gas grill club member. My husband and I can't stop laughing. I'll be sure to ask for a vest with a "leaky" valve.

 

[auntrenae]

Susie,

If you want the best snorkeling, go to the adult beach (aka Serenity Bay). You have to go out a bit to where they have sunk some machinery to make an artificial reef, but there is a great variety of fish out there. We've been 4 times and each time we see more and more types than the time before. There have been bigger fish starting to come around too.

You have to go through a very shallow area to get to the 'reef' and it's kind of hard to walk that if the tide is out, but if you lay face down in the shallow water with your snorkel on and 'walk' with your hands looking for sea life, you will be surprised at what you see. The last time we saw a nudibranch and several octopi in their holes as well as starfish, sand dollars, and live conchs, along with the resident stingray and his little fishy friend that we have watched on every trip. I always take an underwater disposable camera to take new photos in the same spots.

you'll have a blast!
Renae

 

[joanb]

Three cruises and haven't made it to the adult beach-but I WILL in April-at least I will make every attempt to. got my doc today!!!!!!!

 

[Susie51]

Thanks For The Help Sorry About The Cap Letters But I Can"t Get It Unlocked Will It Be Easy To Find The Reef Made Of Sunken Machinery?

 

[cruzings]

DH 40 and DD8 went on it on our sept 2003 cruise on the Wonder. they didn't enjoy it. it was a beautiful day but the ride on the boat to the site made them seasick and when they got there, there was not much fish to see, it was mostly brown/cloudy water, no beautiful corals, etc. as far as they're concerned, they wouldn't go on it again.

 

[MrsMork]

Cruzings, what boat to the site? Are you talking about CC? The snorkeling area is right by the family beach, no boat to get there. Our whole family (ages 8-60) love it. We do have our own snorkel and fins which saves us tons of money over several cruises with several people.

 

[cruzings]

they have another snorkeling package called the seahorse catamaran snorkeling adventure that's supposed to take you to some "prime" location to snorkel. that's what DH and DD took, which was a total bummer.