Snorkeling...Castaway Cay or Nassau???

[shep]

Which do you prefer?
I think I would rather snorkel at Nassau & relax at Castaway Cay since there won't be people coming up to us about braiding hair & what not...
Any advice is appreciated...

My 90 day out date is this week...

 

[PoohJen]

I've snorkelled in Hawaii and I've snorkelled CC...

I think if you are taking a snorkelling excursion, you'll get some good snorkelling in Nassau (I haven't done that there, so experienced sailors, share your thoughts).

At CC, you have to swim a bit ways out to swim amongst the fish and explore. Not as tropical as I had experienced in HI. It was fun to snorkel with my boys at CC, but I bet snorkelling on an excursion would be more intense.

Also, just for information, I have read here that you need to snorkel early at CC, b/c the kicked up sand murkies the water as the day goes on. We went early and didn't have this as a problem.

Have a GREAT time; either way, you won't go wrong!

 

[speedpro50]

I would cast my vote for nassau over CC...just my $.02!

 

[Invisible Penguinboy]

i went to both places over the summer, and i have to say that nassau was a nicer place to go snorkeling. CC was nice, but it was a pretty far swim to get to the area with a lot of fish and the mickey statue. In Nassau the fish are there when you first step in the water, or you can go out further and see reefs and more colorful fish. There is also much more to do at CC so you should try to keep your day free in case you find something there to do.

 

[cjckclan]

I've been contemplating the same question regarding snorkeling. I had basically decided to snorkel at Nassau because of all the posts I've read about it. My question would be whether I need to book it ahead of time, or if I can book it once I board the ship. Does the catamaran sail & reef snorkeling excursion fill quickly? My TA recommends not booking early since the excursions are not Disney and if they go out of business or something you are just out the money you paid.

 

[carleesmom]

So if snorkeling in Nassau which one would you choose?
I am going on the 3 night Wonder in May with my 2 sons, ages 12 & 9.

 

[scrapperjill]

I've been contemplating the same question regarding snorkeling. I had basically decided to snorkel at Nassau because of all the posts I've read about it. My question would be whether I need to book it ahead of time, or if I can book it once I board the ship. Does the catamaran sail & reef snorkeling excursion fill quickly? My TA recommends not booking early since the excursions are not Disney and if they go out of business or something you are just out the money you paid.

I don't know about all of the independant tour companies..but with some of them you just book it ahead of time...but not actually pay until the day you go. That may be something to look into.

I think most times you save a good deal by booking on your own and not through Disney...and from the sounds of it at times going on your own can be easer and faster...I haven't done a disney excrsion...but I've heard you have to all meet ahead of time...and by the time you do the checklist...making sure eveyone is there and eveything is ready...you've already waited 45 min or longer before your even heading off the ship. But again...that's just what Ive heard.

 

[shep]

We are gonna do the stingray excursion at Nassau & willplay it by ear at CC..
Hope to do some snorkeling on our own... ..We'll see what the day holds for us...

 

[spotdog]

I loved the Catamaran Sail/Snorkel. The fish and coral were beautiful. Be sure to put sunscreen on before hand, the best ride is on deck with no shade.
The boat is small and was festively crowded. I always wear a light cotton muumuu over my swim suit. It dries quickly and makes good sun tent.

The snorkeling at CC is a good early morning workout. Afterwards you deserve your day of relaxation on the beach. I wouldn't bother with it after hundreds of novice snorkelers have waded through and churned up clouds of sand.

 

[Typhoon Guy]

It is true about snorkling early in the morning at CC. YOu have a much better experience then rather than afternoon time. My pick though in Nassau is Blackbear's Sting Ray Lagoon. True your not snorkling with the fishes but you are with stingrays in a secluded lagoon. Lunch is also offered on this excursion as well as time to relax on (i believe) a private beach, never had anyone want to braid my hair there.

 

[becobscot]

We used Stuart Cove in Nassau but I have to say that the snorkeling in Nassau did not live up to the Florida Keys. We had a 3 stop tour- a reef, a wreck (which is very small) and the reef sharks( which was WAY COOL!). We also snorkeled on CC and had the same experience as what others have said except we went in Jan. and found out that the Mickey statue had been damaged in the hurricanes and had not yet been replaced.

 

[Typhoon Guy]

Did you swim all the way outto the Micket statue when you found out it was not there? Or did a CM tell you that before you made thre treck? I was surprized to find out that Mickey was "bobble-head" I thought I broke it on my first "dive" the have my picture taken with him!

 

[spotdog]

It sounds like poor Mickey is having a tough time in the Snorkel Lagoon. When I was there, Nov. '04, his head was healthy, but his hand was, well..., missing.

To Carleesmom, your sons would probably enjoy the Nassau Catamaran Sail/Snorkel, especially if they are comfortable swimming in deep water. You have to climb down the boat "stair/ladder" right into about 12' of water. The reward is immediately seeing fish and coral.

 

[JulieWent]

We booked snorkeling excursions in both Nassau and CC. We were glad we did because the snorkeling excursion on CC was canceled because it was too windy. If we had waited, we would have had one very disappointed 9 year old because the snorkeling lagoon really isn't much (no reef snorkeling). The reef snorkeling we did in Nassau, while not as spectacular as some of the snorkeling a remember doing in the South Pacific when I was a teen more years ago than I will admit, was really pretty.

Julie