Snorkeling in St. Maarten

[cruzin2]

We are leaving Saturday for our cruise and I was meaning to ask if anyone had a preference to which snorkeling tour to take in St. Maarten? There are so many to choose from just wondering if anyone had any previous experience. We will have our 2 teenage daughters with us and that is all they can talk about. Also, how is the snorkeling in Labadee?

 

Many thanks!!!!!!!

[bike1964]

Check out Dawn Beach. I think you'll enjoy it. A couple went there on our last sailing on the AOS and they said the snorkeling was awesome. It's a bit of swim out to the reef, but you'll enjoy it.

 

http://www.sint-maarten.net/St-Maarten-Beaches/DawnBeach.html

[Cruisin Bob]

From what I read dawn beach is wonderful if the surf and currents do not Kill you (literally)

 

My wife is not a strong swimmer and I stay away from snorkeling in places like this.

 

Pinel island is good for snorkeling and little bay is rather safe as well if not as good for seeing fish IMO

 

In general the east side of most of the islands can be dangerous at times. Pinel is an island of the eastern side of st marten and you snorkel on the western side of this barrier island making it safer. The reef is ok. Better than little bay, but harder to get to.

[kyriecat]

One thing to be wary of about Pinel Island - it is across from Orient Beach and attracts some of the nudists. I was there several years ago snorkeling, not realizing that others were in the area. The others weren't clothed as I discovered when I turned and got an upclose view of a man below the waist! :eek:

 

To be honest though, the snorkeling around Pinel wasn't nearly as nice as some of the other Caribbean islands. I really LOVE St. Maarten but usually pick something to do besides snorkeling there.

 

Should add - many people here have praised the yacht adventure tour (I forgot the name) although I haven't done it. I enjoyed the sub trip but it's not very adventurous. I have also heard about a zip line that recently opened, but again haven't tried it. I agree with Bob that the current around Dawn Beach is hazardous if you are not a strong swimmer.

[39august]

St. Martin is not noted for its snorkeling. If you are going to St. Thomas, the snorkeling is MUCH better there. The Captain Nautica snorkel ship's tour is great. There is also very good snorkeling in calm and shallow waters right off the beach at Sapphire beach, a $10 pp cab ride from the St. Thomas ship pier at Havensight where RCI docks. There are several other snorkel tours there that would be better than any at St. Martin. Labadee is not very good either, as it is a sandy beach. There are a few rocks aroung Barefoot beach, but you won't see much.