We're taking a three-day cruise on the Wonder. The last time we cruised we found some great snorkeling opportunities and plan to try again. Does anyone have advice regarding snorkeling options in Nassau or Castaway Cay? If you bring your own gear, do you still have to pay for access to the snorkeling area on CC? Is there anywhere less populated, where stronger swimmers can see stuff? Is the catamaran trip worth it? We've been to Athol Island (in Nassau) and had a great time. Is the longer trip worth it? Or, should we do the shorter trip again? Thanks for the advice!
My DD11 snorkeled for the 1st time at CC this year. We purchased a junior snorkel set at Target at the end of last season for $5 and brought it along. It worked great for her! The only other item she needed to snorkel at CC was a vest that you can get for free from a lifeguard.
We go snorkeling every time we cruise - its one of the reasons we go to the Carribean, and both my DH and I enjoyed the catamaran snorkel trip from Castaway Cay tremendously. They take you to a reef out between several islands that's just teeming with life. Snorkeling at the CC lagoon is fun for us because we like to see if more has grown on the reef balls and find the sunken Mickey. If you decide to do that - go FIRST THING when you get in port. The water gets churned up & murky from all the swimmers at the Family Beach quite quickly. Don't expect an "amazing reef" - its a lagoon, but DCL have planted a number of surprises and we've seen plenty of beautiful fish there, too. And anyone can enter the lagoon with snorkel gear.
