can you take a taxi and walk onto Tabyana beach?

[rsmith55]

I have read that the snorkeling is excellent off tabyana beach and would like to try it. Can you just take a taxi to Tabyana beach or is it restricted to people on ship's tours? Also, I expect it to be crowded due to many cruise people. Is it big enough that you can just walk down the beach to get away from the crowd? Thanks for any info.

[MikeandAmy]

We were told that only NCL ships went to Tabyana Beach and that you must go with the ship's tours. They give you wrist bands to wear so they can identify if you are not w/the ship. Also they have armed security guards there to keep the locals out.

 

We arrived at the beach early and it was not crowded. You can avoid the crowd by walking down the beach. There are people there that will help you get a good shady spot as well. Have fun!

[jlines]

Tabayana is just one part of the beach on the West End. Our driver took us to the Mayan Princess which we walked through to get to the beach. He then showed us where the cruise ship pax were and said there was good snorkeling there. Since the beach itself is public, there was no problem in snorkeling on your own. We found the best snorkeling to be on the other side of the roped area, closer to a wall of black rock. This really isn't for novices though - it is tricky getting around the rocks and coral to get out to deeper water which is where the best snorkeling is.

[happytogoing]

We were on this tour, and we did certainly observe the security, they sit very inobtrussively at the start of the Tabyana beach area. They seem to watch for wristbands, and they definitely keep the vendors and sellers OFF the beach at Tabyana...

 

WE walked up and down the beach though, and were constantly approached to buy something..... once at the Tabyana part though, no one at all approaches except a waiter wanting to sell you a drink...

 

I enjoyed the lively beach, but also the peaceful surroundings at Tabyana.