Snorkel or Dive...Aruba, St. Martin, St. Thomas

[Motorcycle Gma]

We're doing the Southern itinerary -- only have one day each place. We'll definitely dive in Curacao, but wondering about these other locations. Snorkel or dive? We aren't hard core divers (so we probably won't dive all locations, plus the $$). I've read about some good snorkeling at Coki Beach, Sapphire beach or St. John's nat'l park. We'll have our own snorkel gear. Suggestions please!

 

Or, any other land site not to be missed... Thanks

[CalaDragonflyLady]

I haven't been to Aruba yet, but I found St Maartin diving to just be ok, but St Thomas was awesome. I went with Blue Island Divers instead of the cruise ship's excursion.

[mitsugirly]

We don't dive, but we love to snorkel.

 

I would highly recommend Sapphire Beach. It is a little slice of Paradise to us. The beach is absolutely beautiful and you walk right in to the water and can go to the right (in front of the resort) and snorkel over the rocks and coral and see TONS of fish and sea life. If you go to the left, there is some sea grass here and there and people have seen star fish and sea turtles. There's plenty of areas with only sand if you just want to relax and hang out without the rocks/coral.

 

Here is a review I did Sept 2010 with a link to tons of pictures: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=26210037&postcount=1

[snorkelgirlca]

Snorkel at creole rock in st Martin. Trunk when I was there in April 2012 got closed due to waves. Also agree that sapphire was good. Not so good snorkeling in Aruba. But the best was Bonaire hands down. Almost as good as Australia

[travlnblueberries]

My DH is obsessed with scuba diving. I know he "Dive with Clive" in Aruba. St. Thomas (I think) is Red Hook Dive, but I'll have to ask and make sure once he gets up for work, but I'll let you know.:)

[travlnblueberries]

St. Maarten he did a shark dive. The shark knocked his regulator out of his mouth.:eek: I'll have to let you know what operation that was.

[w&k]

We're doing the Southern itinerary -- only have one day each place. We'll definitely dive in Curacao, but wondering about these other locations. Snorkel or dive? We aren't hard core divers (so we probably won't dive all locations, plus the $$). I've read about some good snorkeling at Coki Beach, Sapphire beach or St. John's nat'l park. We'll have our own snorkel gear. Suggestions please!

 

Or, any other land site not to be missed... Thanks

 

In Curacao - you have to dive with Suzy and Mark at The Dive Bus. http://www.the-dive-bus.com Great diving and insane folks.

 

In Aruba - go dive with Clive at Dive Aruba. Small boat diving at it's best! http://www.divearuba.com

 

In St. Thomas, Blue Island is good, we like Coki http://www.cokidive.com, and Admiralty also gets good reviews.

 

St. Maarten has a reputation for rough water and surge, and we've never gone diving there.

 

Have a great trip, wherever you decide to dive!

 

Wendy

[jainivas]

Is there a place by Sapphire beach to rent snorkelling gear?

[trippingpara]

We did a 2 tank dive at Coki Beach in St. Thomas and it was a great dive. Nothing compared to the Maldives, but a nice, easy and relaxing dive with some nice scenery. You could snorkel there as well as the reefs are not that deep (I believe my max depth was 45'). There are two reefs (to the east and the west end of the bay. Coral World is also right there for something additional to do afterwards.

[mitsugirly]

Yes, they have a snorkeling shack there. It's also a place to get ice cold drinks and snacks too. :)

[cruisee<3]

We did a 2 tank dive at Coki Beach in St. Thomas and it was a great dive. Nothing compared to the Maldives, but a nice, easy and relaxing dive with some nice scenery. You could snorkel there as well as the reefs are not that deep (I believe my max depth was 45'). There are two reefs (to the east and the west end of the bay. Coral World is also right there for something additional to do afterwards.

 

Oh goodness i miss diving in the Maldives :( Nothing compares now

 

St thomas was ok, but heard that it's a lot better than st marteen .. some people threw up while going diving at st marteen b/c of the rough waters

[cruisee<3]

In Curacao - you have to dive with Suzy and Mark at The Dive Bus. http://www.the-dive-bus.com Great diving and insane folks.

 

In Aruba - go dive with Clive at Dive Aruba. Small boat diving at it's best! http://www.divearuba.com

 

In St. Thomas, Blue Island is good, we like Coki http://www.cokidive.com, and Admiralty also gets good reviews.

 

St. Maarten has a reputation for rough water and surge, and we've never gone diving there.

 

Have a great trip, wherever you decide to dive!

 

Wendy

 

Thanks for the info!! Which dive do you recommend in Curacao?