Snorkeling in Bermuda

[trouble and strife]

We are taking a cruise to Bermuda and I was wondering if anyone had advice on snorkeling. Should we sign up for a tour or go on our own? Should we bring our snorkels or rent? Any recommended beaches? Thanks!

[blueberry]

Alot depends on how experienced you are and the weather. There is lots of off shore snorkeling in Bermuda that is very very good. However if you want to snorkel over a wreck take a JesseJames tour. They are also good if you have never snorkeled before because they will show you how and help you along.

 

If you have experience and bring your own stuff you can snorkel lots of places that are not well known. Near St. Georges Achille Bay is great. Go out to the left through the rocks- and just keep going in and out of all of the lovely little coves. However if it is choppy with the wind blowing in on that side of the island the visibility will be down and it might even be too choppy to do (there are some sections where you are out in the ocean).

Tobacco Bay is almost always reliabley good- provided you get there early before the hoards arrive. Go straight out to the rocks at the far end- some coral lots of fish- or go to the right as soon as you step off the beach. If you keep going to the right you will eventually get to achille bay.

 

On the West End we love Daniel's head. There are rocks just out from the public beach that attrack lots of fish. If you keep going around to the left (literllay under some of the resort's cabanna) you will come to an area that is a virtual garden of coral-absolutley spectacular. Just keep going left along the shoreline and you'll get there. It is a longish swim but pretty shallow most of the way.

 

At Church Bay the reef is fairly close to shore. Again this is very weather dependent. If there is a strong south wind you'll have a difficult time getting to the reef or seeing very much. On calm days it is great. It can be a little scary swimming straight out into what seems like the open ocean but it is worth it once you get to the reef. Stop at the top and look out- you'll be able to see clearly where the reef is.

 

I was also very pleasantly surprised by John Smiths. We had snorkeled there before and although the reef was nice- and not too far out (although further than Church) it was always a little choppy so you get bounced around a little. Hadn't been there in years because we heard the reef got severally damaged in the last hurricane. Went last week and I was very pleasantly surprised. If you go out on the right side of the beach and around the rocxk sticking out you will see a rock point. Straight out from the point is a reef that goes right out to the main reef off shore. The reef itself is no more than 5 feet deep- although you do have to swim over about 15 feet of ocean around the point to get to it.

 

If you are not a strong swimmer or experienced Smith's and Church bay may be too much for you. Daniel's head and Tobacco bay are fine for anyone.

 

Finally for real beginners there is alsways the smell beach to the right at Horseshoe Bay. We always call it Baby beach becasue it is calm and enclosed. Usually in the late afternoons the fish come in ther to feed and you can practially walk around with a snorkel on and stick you head in and see something.

 

Bring your stuff and enjoy the freedom to go where you want when you want. Bermuda's snorkeling is very very good. Just be aware of the weather and make your plans accordingly and be aware that it changes every day. If you get to a beach thats too rough just go to anohter one on a different side of the island.

[Snorkelfan]

Blueberry - what great information you gave. How do I get in touch with Jesse James as opposed to booking thru the ship (RCI Explorer)? Thanx