Jey01 Posted November 30, 2015 #1 Share Posted November 30, 2015 We are cruising in January (just DH and myself) and I keep going back and forth with my "research" trying to decide what beach to go to. Im looking at Blue Bay bc its the closest, but it looks as if snorkeling is better at Cas Abou or Porto Marie….Lagun looks like the best snorkel wise but its so far away (we are going to take a taxi). Anyone have any suggestions/preferences? We've never been to curaçao before and there isn't a ton of info on here. My priority is snorkeling from the beach, somewhat calm water, and drinks/restrooms are always a plus :) I just "can't decide!" Plus I've read some taxi drivers don't want to drive "all the way" to the western beaches. Hoping to find someone at the taxi stand to share a cab with (once we figure out where we are going!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted November 30, 2015 #2 Share Posted November 30, 2015 We took a simple 3 hour snorkel tour on a catamaran through the ship thinking we were mainly taking it for the sail. Surprise! The snorkeling turned out to be GREAT! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 1, 2015 Author #3 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Thanks for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macaroni Posted December 1, 2015 #4 Share Posted December 1, 2015 We have found the snorkeling from the beach at the Marriott to be excellent...only 5 minutes by taxi from ship... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 1, 2015 Author #5 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Do u have to have a day pass? Can u rent chairs? That's exciting to know bc I was thinking the closest snorkel would be blue bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macaroni Posted December 1, 2015 #6 Share Posted December 1, 2015 Don't know about day pass...I would just go with a towel to sit on...don't think they rent out chairs..I am planning on just going and using my towel...facing the water...head all the way to the right... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livitt Posted December 2, 2015 #7 Share Posted December 2, 2015 what ship are you on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 2, 2015 Author #8 Share Posted December 2, 2015 We will be on the carnival breeze in January Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macaroni Posted December 2, 2015 #9 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Celebrity Eclipse in february Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slabeaume Posted December 5, 2015 #10 Share Posted December 5, 2015 I wanted to go to Porto Marie, but as mentioned, the taxi driver didn't want to go there. He kept pushing Blue Bay. We even waited awhile hoping someone else would want to share a ride and go to Porto Marie, but noone did. So we ended up going to Blue Bay. I'm an avid snorkeler and thought I'd be really disappointed, but we actually had a great time! There's a shallow "bay" around the point to the left (looking at the beach) and there are a ton of fish in there. There were also a lot of fish around the point to the right, but it was deeper there. If you'd like to see some of the pictures from there, check out my blog and Curacao was our last port so skim down to it if that's all you're interested in. http://travelingwithsue.blogspot.com/2015/05/2015-april-17-may-1-southern-caribbean.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 5, 2015 Author #11 Share Posted December 5, 2015 It was calm water, no currents? Thanks for sharing I'm defiantly going to check out the pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 5, 2015 Author #12 Share Posted December 5, 2015 Those are great pics! The snorkeling and underwater pics are my number one priority :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bup1224 Posted December 5, 2015 #13 Share Posted December 5, 2015 The snorkeling is good at Cas Abou - better than at Blue Bay and the Marriott IMO. We have spent 2 vacations in Curacao and also had 1 cruise port there. The best snorkeling that we experienced this past September was at Klein Knip which is further west. We are fortunate to be in port in September 2016 from 9 am to 11 pm and will be renting a car and heading to the Klein Knip and possibly Cas Abou. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 5, 2015 Author #14 Share Posted December 5, 2015 We are only there from 8-4pm, but still plenty of time. I just kept going between cas abou and Porto Marie. And now maybe blue bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiFunCruiser Posted December 5, 2015 #15 Share Posted December 5, 2015 I wanted to go to Porto Marie, but as mentioned, the taxi driver didn't want to go there. He kept pushing Blue Bay. We even waited awhile hoping someone else would want to share a ride and go to Porto Marie, but noone did. So we ended up going to Blue Bay. I'm an avid snorkeler and thought I'd be really disappointed, but we actually had a great time! There's a shallow "bay" around the point to the left (looking at the beach) and there are a ton of fish in there. There were also a lot of fish around the point to the right, but it was deeper there. If you'd like to see some of the pictures from there, check out my blog and Curacao was our last port so skim down to it if that's all you're interested in.http://travelingwithsue.blogspot.com/2015/05/2015-april-17-may-1-southern-caribbean.html Great photos, love l snorkeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vavasmom Posted December 6, 2015 #16 Share Posted December 6, 2015 (edited) I love Porto Mari. It was our favorite stop on the west side Irie toor we took in 2014. As soon as I booked the Liberty Repo, I decided I wanted to go back for the whole day. Have read issues getting a cab, I arranged for a driver in advance. About two weeks before our cruise someone (empressofpurple) contacted me on the rollcall they wanted to go to Porto Mari and we shared a cab. Let me know if you have any questions. She did a live thread that has a detailed review - our day http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=48231946#post48231946 After the cruise she posed some of hers and my BFFs picture on this post plus 1 above and 1 below http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=48387324#post48387324 I booked the cab through Natasja Gibbs of Dushi Taxi. Our driver was great - her name was Sulainy. Service was excellent (Sulainy was waiting when we got off the ship and was very prompt for our return trip) Edited December 6, 2015 by vavasmom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 6, 2015 Author #17 Share Posted December 6, 2015 thanks so much for the info! Im going to contact Natasha! This sounds like exactly what we are looking for. Hopefully someone from our roll call will want to ride with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Licoriceky2 Posted December 10, 2015 #18 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Hi Jay01, We are going on the same cruise as you. Just booked today and we are possible interested in sharing a taxi and going snorkeling. If you can figure out how to instant message me, please do with details. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 10, 2015 Author #19 Share Posted December 10, 2015 I'm sorry but we found someone and have booked a ride already! We did use Natasha Gibbs. Looked her up on TA and sent them an email. It's going to be great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 10, 2015 Author #20 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Are u part of our roll call? That's where we found the couple going with us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjrockman Posted December 16, 2015 #21 Share Posted December 16, 2015 I'm sorry but we found someone and have booked a ride already! We did use Natasha Gibbs. Looked her up on TA and sent them an email. It's going to be great Jey01, Did you decide on Porto Mari? If so, how much is the quoted fare from Natasha? Thanks, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jey01 Posted December 16, 2015 Author #22 Share Posted December 16, 2015 We did decide on Porto Marie, and it's $100 round trip for 4 passengers. It's extra for more after that but I'm not sure how much. I'm ready to go today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjrockman Posted December 16, 2015 #23 Share Posted December 16, 2015 We did decide on Porto Marie, and it's $100 round trip for 4 passengers. It's extra for more after that but I'm not sure how much. I'm ready to go today! Thanks, Jey01. Compared to what I have been reading, that appears to be a good price. Have fun! I will search for her contact information. Safe Journeys. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODECCIT Posted December 21, 2015 #24 Share Posted December 21, 2015 (edited) We are only there from 8-4pm, but still plenty of time. I just kept going between cas abou and Porto Marie. And now maybe blue bay Cas Abou is very nice beach, but not worth an hour drive each way. Because of your short stay only 8-4 I would just take a cab to pirate bay. You can rent a chair and they have full bar there. It's right next door to Marriott. Edited December 21, 2015 by ODECCIT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmarya Posted December 26, 2015 #25 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Another option for a different experience which can be done on a budget is snorkeling the Tugboat. Not sure what the cost of a cab would be since we took the 6A bus. The site is located in Caracasbai--from the Caracasbai roundabout (closest bus stop), you go southeast and find your way to the end of the road--less than a mile--stay as close to the water as you can, pass Pop's place, a crazy huge apparatus (apparently it is for laying cable), around Ft. Beekenberg, and past a church that looks like it was once a restaurant or dive shop. There is a pretty basic dive shop where you can get drinks and rent chairs or snorkel gear and get directions to the tugboat. The proprietor looks a bit like Richard Branson fallen on hard times. The snorkeling is pretty decent, the swim easy, and the tugboat is in pretty shallow water--the top is only a few feet below the surface. Before you reach the end of the line, there are other places you could snorkel which we didn't try and the Fort was interesting for a brief stop and great view from the tower. If you are not adventurous, a cab might be wise. We did have to wait a little while for the bus going and coming back we ended up catching a ride with one of the unofficial vans. That was an adventure in itself. Traffic was bad on the way back so we were glad we did not stay too long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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