Snorkling Excursions

[MissKegz]

We're debating about doing a snorkling excursion in either Grand Turk or Nassau. Would you suggest booking an excursion for this, or renting the equipment on board and going off on our own? It seems like renting is the cheaper way to go (but maybe not the better way)!

 

I've gone snorkling before, but my friend I'm cruising with has never gone before. What do you think? :confused:

[abitaturbodog]

Both islands don't have great snorkeling from the shore, so in order to see lots of fish, you'll want to book an excursion that will take you out to the reefs.

 

I'd check out the Ports of Call boards for Grand Turk and Nassau and see what the "experts" there have to say.

 

Good luck!

[SDRR]

Buy your own mask and snorkle. Rent the fins...

You'll have a mask that fits your face (if you were to buy it at a dive shop where they offer a more personalized service), and a snorkle that hasn't been abused or mouthed by others.

[dharmapath]

I just got back from Nassau and did the Seahorse Sail and Snorkel. It was a good location not too far from the port. I did it through the cruise ship but they have quite a few sail and motorboat operators that will take you out.

[zqvol]

We're debating about doing a snorkling excursion in either Grand Turk or Nassau. Would you suggest booking an excursion for this, or renting the equipment on board and going off on our own? It seems like renting is the cheaper way to go (but maybe not the better way)!

 

I've gone snorkling before, but my friend I'm cruising with has never gone before. What do you think? :confused:

 

First point to note is that unless Carnival has changed their policies you cannot rent snorkel gear on board, so you either have to take your own or take an excursion (whether through the ship or privately).

 

The problem with going off on your own is that on both islands you need to get away from shore so you need an excursion.

 

I have snorkeled both islands in the past 18 months. I liked Grand Turk a lot more, BUT it was a much more difficult excursion because of the current and swells the day that I was there.

 

On the excursion on Nassau there were too many people and too many boats at the same stop. We ended up only spending 30 minutes or so in the water because we were tired of being kicked.

 

Bottom line suggestion is take a Carnival excursion on Grand Turk.

[Stevesan]

Bottom line suggestion is take a Carnival excursion on Grand Turk.

 

And book Stuart Cove's in Nassau. Fantastic snorkel trips and not overcrowded:

 

http://www.dive-bahamas.com/

 

Nassau: “Snorkel Bahamas Adventure” is a 5-½ hour trip operated by Stuart’s Cove. On a previous excursion I went on the impressive Athol Island snorkel. This Stuart’s Cove outing surpassed all of my previous experiences, including Athol Island. The boat trip is @ three hours, and visits Schoolhouse Reef, the spectacular Golden Key Reef and finally a “swim with the sharks” at ‘The Wreck of the Bahama Mama’. I have never before witnessed such a number and variety of fish as at Golden Key. There are never-ending fish, large and small, singly and in large schools. The floor is decorated with huge, magnificent coral formations of all shapes and sizes. While there, a shark cruised past our group. He obviously thought this was his ocean and didn’t know, nor care, that we weren’t scheduled for a shark encounter until after Golden Key. Surprisingly, getting in with a dozen or so sharks is not frightening. I suspect we were too caught up with their grace and magnificence to be scared. The fact that the boat captain hadn’t lost a diver in twelve years was also encouraging. This is a five star, gold medallion, prime trip, not to be missed!

[MissKegz]

What about snorkling at Half Moon Cay? I guess we just want to find the best place to snorkle since my friend has never gone before!!

 

So, out of the three, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, or Nassau, which would you recommend as the best place to snorkle?

[Stevesan]

What about snorkling at Half Moon Cay? I guess we just want to find the best place to snorkle since my friend has never gone before!!

 

So, out of the three, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, or Nassau, which would you recommend as the best place to snorkle?

 

The boat snorkel is ok. There are some coral gardens not far from shore (not close enought to swim to).

The shore snorkeling is very poor, unless you enjoy looking at sand. :)

There is a man made rock barrier perpendicular to the beach. There may be some fish there, but not worth the effort.

Go with the ship's boat snorkel trip. You'll still have plenty of time to enjoy the beach.

[zqvol]

What about snorkling at Half Moon Cay? I guess we just want to find the best place to snorkle since my friend has never gone before!!

 

So, out of the three, Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, or Nassau, which would you recommend as the best place to snorkle?

 

HMC and GT are about equal in MHO. Sometimes HMC is missed due to weather, Grand Turk is a docking port so it is less likely to be missed. Why not do both. You'll have a great time.

[aldaoust]

Definitely Stuart Cove!!!!