excursion suggestions for Eastern Carribean

[omgitstime]

Surprised my kids for christmas, going on our second cruise in January. Eastern Caribbean-Nassua, St Thomas, San Juan and Antiqua. Last January we did Western and my kids, 12,13 and 15 loved snorkling-it was the first time for all of us. So my question is what would be the best port and where to snorkle? From what I am reading it looks like St Thomas or Antiqua or maybe we'd do both? Suggestions? Their kind of bummed were only in Nassua till 3, was hoping we could do Atlantis but I can't see spending the money given we'd have to leave there by 2. Thanks :)

[BaseballMomof4]

We did some snorkeling in St. Thomas but didn't see much. In St. Thomas it is fun to go to Mountaintop and maybe do some shopping. They have a couple of private tour services that will take you and drop you and then pick you up later. Our first time on St. Thomas we did all 3 - shopping, Mountaintop and a beach of choice. Our second time we just went shopping and to Mountaintop.

 

Enjoy!

[mollymyers15]

We did some snorkeling in St. Thomas but didn't see much. In St. Thomas it is fun to go to Mountaintop and maybe do some shopping. They have a couple of private tour services that will take you and drop you and then pick you up later. Our first time on St. Thomas we did all 3 - shopping, Mountaintop and a beach of choice. Our second time we just went shopping and to Mountaintop.

 

Enjoy!

 

I'm also doing Eastern Carribean in March. Where specifically did you go for these mountaintop tours?

[BaseballMomof4]

I'm also doing Eastern Carribean in March. Where specifically did you go for these mountaintop tours?

 

Both Sunny Liston and Godfrey tours have websites you can go to and choose tours. We used Godfrey but have heard all good things about Sunny Liston as well. They have open air vans and drive you around the island.

This last time we just went downtown to shop and then grabbed a tour to mountaintop. There are vendors everywhere once you get downtown.

 

All are pretty equally priced.

 

I will say we enjoyed seeing Sapphire Beach this time - lovely and practically deserted. Coki Beach is also very pretty and less crowded.

[Uzdcaddy]

Surprised my kids for christmas, going on our second cruise in January. Eastern Caribbean-Nassua, St Thomas, San Juan and Antiqua. Last January we did Western and my kids, 12,13 and 15 loved snorkling-it was the first time for all of us. So my question is what would be the best port and where to snorkle? From what I am reading it looks like St Thomas or Antiqua or maybe we'd do both? Suggestions? Their kind of bummed were only in Nassua till 3, was hoping we could do Atlantis but I can't see spending the money given we'd have to leave there by 2. Thanks :)

 

Consider yourself lucky. Nassau is a waste. We did Atlantis last time unless you buy expensive tour your limited to shops and casino.

[jetexpress]

We did some snorkeling in St. Thomas but didn't see much. In St. Thomas it is fun to go to Mountaintop and maybe do some shopping. They have a couple of private tour services that will take you and drop you and then pick you up later. Our first time on St. Thomas we did all 3 - shopping, Mountaintop and a beach of choice. Our second time we just went shopping and to Mountaintop.

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

OP, I know this is not related to snorkeling but baseballmom is right. The views here are great. Not sure how you feel about driving in another country? We rented a car right across the street from the port complex in St Thomas and were given a very good map. Drove to several amazing scenic overlooks up in the mountains. Stopped at a restaurant and a beach and had a great day. Felt safe everywhere we went and was not hard at all to adjust to driving on the left side of the road.

 

 

 

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Edited December 28, 2014 by jetexpress

[tghhwh]

You can take a tour to St John and snorkel at Buck Island or you can just take the ferry and do it yourself, it's really not that difficult to navigate. Just a little research. Buck Island has underwater markers for snorkelers that pretty neat.

[loveysbydesign]

We just did this same itin. on the Breeze in Nov. with our kids ages 15, 12 and 7.

 

In St. Thomas we did the Paradise Point sky ride in the morning(bought tix. on the ship right before we got off) and then did an excursion through Carnival...the Turtle Cove one and LOVED it! We chose the 12:30 one and it was great!

 

Antigua we took the bus to Darkwood Beach...it amazingly beautiful there and so relaxing.

 

In San Juan we did our own walking tour, stopping at Save a Gato cat shelter, the Old Gate, Morro then took the trolley to Casa Cortes for a chocolate lunch and then walked back from there.

 

In Nassua we did a tour with some other people that went to Ft. Montague, fresh conch market, a little shop and a beach.

 

Please check out my ongoing trip report here for lots of pics!!! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2131180

Edited December 28, 2014 by loveysbydesign

[Reno44]

If the kids like snorkeling, take them to do SNUBA in St. Thomas at Coki Beach. They will love it! Sort of like scuba but they are attached to a line with an air source at the top. Very safe. Our kids LOVED it they are 9 and 11 (parents loved it too). You can stay and hang at Coki Beach or head to Magen's Beach for swimming. We book this on our own, but you can also book it with the cruise line. They will take you out to a shallow reef. Eastern Caribbean is no Cozumel when it comes to scuba diving but the kids will love it. My 10 year old is now Scuba certified 😁😁😁😁

 

 

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[firstalaskatrip]

To the original poster - not sure if you already planned your excursions, but I'd actually recommend this company in Nassau for your snorkel:

 

http://www.blueholewatersports.com/

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147416-d1554778-Reviews-Blue_Hole_Watersports-Nassau_New_Providence_Island_Bahamas.html

 

I went to Nassau with my mom in march of 2013. We did a land based vacation, so had quite a bit of time to see different activities. At that point, Atlantis was actually pretty run down - algae in all the tanks. Not sure if it's in better repair now or not.

 

We went snorkeling with this company though, and they were fantastic - they only take out small groups - we had 8 in our group - two families of 3 and my mom and I. They leave from the Hilton which is a 5 min walk from the cruise terminal, take you through the marina area of atlantis to see the big boats and a bit of the resort, and then go to two snorkeling sites. The coral was fabulous at the first, and the second was a boat that had intentionally been sunk and had huge schools of fish living in it. It was incredible! There was very little current in either area - they adjust which places you go to based on the weather, and it was probably the second best snorkeling I've ever done (Belize is #1). The guides were also really nice - they catered very well to both the snorkelers and to those who weren't so sure about it. One of the kids was a bit scared, and they did great with her. My mom had injured her foot, so she stayed on board, and she found the crew to be very nice and enjoyable to chat with.

[firstalaskatrip]

The blue lagoon dolphin swim was also great in Nassau. A bit pricey, but it was an amazing experience.