Snorkeling

[kimluvs2travel]

Are any of the Beaches Palm or Eagle near or good for snorkeling? Or is there a spot anyone knows of that would be great (hopefully by bus) to go snorkeling?

[Arubalisa]

There is nothing to see snorkeling off of Palm Beach or Eagle Beach. With a "only" a white sandy bottom, you may see some fish swimming by, but that is just a random thing.

 

On Palm Beach, there is a spot between the Westin and Divi Phoenix Resort (south end of Palm Beach) which you can snorkel. The water is very calm there as well. About 150 yards off the beach there is a little jetty like rock island.

 

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Here you can view fish, octopus, and other critters, etc. There are also rock jetties along both sides of the Phoenix's beach which may offer some glimpses of sea life.

 

No chaises though nor much else real close by. The Westin is a short walk and the closest resort.

 

North of Palm Beach, by bus or taxi, there is a small beach at Boca Catalina which is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are a few shade palapas here but no restroom facilities. There are no "real" rest room facilities at all along the coast at either BC, Catalina Cove or Arashi. Though from what I understand, port-a-potties were a recent addition to Arashi beach.

 

Below is Boca Catalina

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If you enter at above, Boca Catalina there is a plain white sandy bottom. On some days, early in the morning, you will be able to see your feet. Put your fins on and walk backwards into the water or walk in as far as you need, sit or get into a crouched position and put your fins on there.

 

The snorkeling is a bit better at Catalina Cove below, though it is rocky which makes for a difficult entry. We normally enter the water at Boca Catalina and swim northward due to the difficult entry here at Catalina Cove pictured below.

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Catalina Cove, I would definitely put your fins on before entering and just walk backwards as best as you can. If one of you has more tender feet than the other, have the tough foot wade in without, holding your back so you do not fall.

I have further information and photos of this area here

 

Take the public bus and ask the bus driver to drop you off wherever you wish. It will literally be a few foot steps onto the beach. If you are at Boca Catalina the bus runs "about" every hour. Keep an eye out for it heading north and you can gather your things and be ready after it goes up and turns around at Arashi.

 

As to valuables, when we head to Boca Catalina to snorkel there are always other tourists there. It is a popular spot for those folks staying at apartments or villas to have beach access. Dh and I generally ask someone to keep an eye on our towels and of course never bring anything valuable in the first place.

There is a minuscule beach at Malmok. This photo is from 2 years ago. There was less beach here this past June.

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Arashi Beach is pictured below. You can enter here and swim south towards and around the rocks and there is a reef there on the other side.

 

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It is a fairly easy walk street side from Arashi southward to Catalina Cove and then Boca Catalina. Malmok beach is further to the south.

[Arubalisa]

[Putterdude]

We took the #10 bus up to the end of the line then walked the 5 mins to Boca Catalina and had a wonderful morning snorkeling. The bus terminal is just the across the street and to the right of the cruise port and the fare is $4.60 pp rtn. As you are facing the water you want to move to the rocks to the right for the better snorkeling. Because of the white coral sand, it can get stirred up a bit by wave action making underwater photography at bit of a challenge.

[kimluvs2travel]

This is great. Thank you both!