Places to snorkel on our own?

[Stranger1]

Can anyone give us some information about snorkeling on our own? We may take an excursion or two, but I'd like some options on some good snorkeling from some of the beaches on any of the islands. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[MichTraveler]

Stranger1: Great question. I just booked for 3/20/2006 and would prefer to rent cars and do my own planning. I am looking forward to reading answers you get.

[Stranger1]

Does anyone have any info on the best beaches to go to where we can snorkel from shore? Anyone, anyone?

[jmike]

Which islands are you interested in. Snorkeling on your own is different on each of the islands. You can snorkel on your own on most islands but you really need to know where to go. If you are going to Rarotonga, then just catch a bus and get off at the Fruits of Rarotonga and walk across the street to a beautful beach with some of the best snorkeling on the island. For other islands you need to be specific. Mike

[Stranger1]

Thanks for the info Mike, we are going to Papeete, Huahine, Rarotonga, Raiatea, Bora Bora and Moorea. What is the Fruits of Rarotonga and how long would it take to get there from the dock/tender of the ship? Thanks!

[laurieb]

Moorea is a great island to snorkel on your own. the Sofitel and the Sheraton are two resorts you can go to and use thier beach, Sofitel will rent you a chair and use of facilities for about 5.00 pp, Sheraton will not let you use any facilities if you aren't staying there. There are lots of accessible beaches. Huahine, I know there are a couple of places, but I would recommend Marc's motu picnic, we did lots of snorkeling on this trip and had a blast! Same with BoraBora, we didn't really find good snorkeling from the main island, best to take an excursion, you can pick up some really good ones where the tenders land. for a nice beach with no snorkeling, Matira point is a good one.

[jmike]

Fruits of Rarotonga is a small fruit stand that sells wonderful fruits and jelley. Here is a link:

 

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/Cook_Islands/Things_To_Do-Cook_Islands-BR-1.html

 

Scroll down to a section on snorkeling. Mike

[Stranger1]

Mike,

 

Thanks again for the great info and the great linc. I guess I had to go all the way on to the internet and the cruisecritic board to get the info from a fellow San Diegan :)

[ratherBcruzin]

We snorkeled on our own in Huahine at the Sofitel. We ate lunch there and took out one of the canoes to a really close motu in the 'bay'. In Raiatea, we found a boat to take us to a motu for the morning. Unfortunately, we didn't snorkel, but there was a crashed plane/ship a few feet off the motu many people were exploring. In Moorea, we ate lunch and snorkeled at the Sheraton--great seafood lunch buffet.

[laurieb]

we snorkeled at the Sofitel also on our own two in 2003, I had heard that they closed thier doors this year.

[Stranger1]

Thank you to eveyone!! With all this great information, our trip is starting to take shape. 283 more days and counting...yee haa!