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by
Tom
Kanitra
tkanitra@optonline.net
The following information on snorkeling sites is provided as a simple guide for those who would like to snorkel at the indicated islands in the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and the Canary Islands. The information has been compiled from actual visits to the snorkeling sites as well as through literature search. Actual site visits are by myself as well as by others who have provided comments.
The information is provided in
summarized form. Greater details can be obtained from numerous snorkeling
and scuba diving books. The information provided is based on conditions
occurring on the date of the actual visit, and may vary with season and weather
conditions.
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Index |
Index Continued |
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St. Thomas, USVI |
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Coki Beach |
Small beach, very crowded. Scuba and snorkel rental at site. Snorkeling is fair. (Tom Kanitra) On NE shore. Slopes to 60'. Excellent on west rocks and at East bend, near power station. Watch out for the surf. Superb beach. Gear can be rented. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Hull Bay |
Good beach, snorkeling on North coast (Literature) |
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Bulongo Bay |
Good beach, snorkeling. (Literature) |
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Sapphire Beach |
Coral reef and great fish. (Literature) Reef to the East is Excellent. Do rocks at both ends. Gear can be rented. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Secret Harbor |
Near Red Hook. Great S @ cove. Go left near the rocks. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Megan Bay |
Voted one of the Top Ten beaches in the world. But not one of the best for snorkeling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Morningstar Beach |
Near Charlotte Amalie. Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Smith Bay |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Long Point |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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French Gap Bay |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Buck Island, St. Thomas (ship excursion or go with an excursion on your own)
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Buck Island, St. Thomas is a small island off the coast near Charlotte Amalia. It was absolutely the BEST variety and quantity of marine life that we have ever seen! The corals have mostly been destroyed by recent hurricanes and have not recovered, although there was quite a lot of fire coral (the first to re-grow after storm damage) around. But, we saw sea turtles (including a beautiful animal named Lucky who was injured in an accident with a speed boat some years ago), small Yellow Sting Rays, a West Indian Sea Egg, Four Eyed Butterfly Fish, lots of Yellow Tailed Snapper, Ballyhoo all over the place, French Grunts, Damselfish, lots of Queen Parrot fish, Blue Tangs, Sergeant Majors, Long Spine Sea Urchins and one very sleepy Barracuda. It can be reached through cruise lines excursions and private excursions such as Aqua Marine Tours. (PegNDerek) Note, Buck Island, St. Croix is a different island. |
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French Cap Cay |
Complex reef, corals, caves, tunnels, sea mount. Light current. (Literature) |
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Flannagans Cay |
By boat. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Carnanser Senior Wreck |
190 ft. wreck off Little Buck Island, in 35-ft. water. (Literature) |
| Top | Index | |
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St. John, USVI |
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Trunk Bay |
Large beautiful beach, with underwater snorkel trail. US National Park, with lifeguards. Admission fee. Scuba and snorkel rental at site. There are 2 rock areas off shore. The best snorkeling isn't the marked trail, but along the base of the large rocks. Snorkel along both sides of the rocks. In calm weather, the water is crystal clear, though with rough seas, the water can become cloudy. Trunk Bay has concession stands for food and souvenirs, rest rooms and showers. (Tom Kanitra) Voted one of top 10 beaches in world. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Salt Pond Bay |
Shade trees at site. Many fish and marine animals. (Literature) |
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Chocolate Bay |
Good for all levels, water usually calm. Lots of fish. (Literature) |
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Watermelon Cay |
Nat. Park. Experienced swimmers only. There may be current. (Literature) |
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Caneel Bay |
Near Cruz Bay harbor. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Maho Bay |
Turtles, north and east of Trunk Bay. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Whistling Cay |
At north shore, at Leinester Bay -eels and starfish. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Hawksnest Bay |
Near Cruz Bay harbor-north. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Francis Bay |
Rocks coral and plenty of fish. (Literature) |
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Little St James Island |
Between St John and St Thomas. The "Ledges" there have great eels, starfish and coral. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Cocoloba Cay |
Experienced ocean swimmers only. 4 to 15 ft. 15 ft. high wall. Usually rough. Many different kinds of fish, occasional shark. (Literature) |
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Salt Pond |
By boat, south. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Haulover Bay |
Probably boat, north. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Francis Bay |
Probably boat, north. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Fishbowl Reef |
South of Cruz Bay. Shallow dive. Small reef fish. (Literature) |
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St. Croix, USVI |
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Cane Bay |
Beautiful, desolate beach, quite a distance from ship dock. Very shallow slope. Snorkeling is good. (Tom Kanitra) Great shore snorkeling...5'-40' reefs than drop to 130' 4 miles long on the north shore off beach. Cane Bay Dive Shop, possible offshore snorkeling vendor. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Rainbow Beach |
Has nearby reef great for snorkeling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Tamarind Reef Beach |
Has nearby reef great for snorkeling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Davis Bay |
Shore entry. (Literature) |
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Butler Bay |
Shore entry. (Literature) |
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Hawksnest Bay |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Christianstat Underwater trail |
Sea turtles in seagrass and sand bed. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Buck Island (excursion) |
Buck Island, St. Croix is the first underwater National Park - the island is a National Monument. Beginner to experienced snorkelers. 300 species of fish. Feeding fish is permitted. Site is not commercial, so rent equipment before going. (Literature) 10 minutes by boat to SE, 2 miles from NE shore. Top snorkeling sites. Wreck in 20'. Sea Turtles in 3'-20'. Check Compass Point Marina and other marinas for a setup before leaving the USA. Can only do by short charter. (Rolf Ehrlich) Note that Buck Island, St. Thomas is a different island. |
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Long Reef |
From shallow to 80 ft. Caves and crevices. Docile nurse shark makes frequent visits. (Literature) |
| Top | Index | |
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St.
Maarten, St. |
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Long Bay |
Reef close to shore. Topless bathing. (Literature) |
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French Reef (Cole Bay) |
Good for beginners. 12-25 ft. deep, lots of tropicals. (Literature) |
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Plum Beach |
On western peninsula. Topless bathing. (Literature) |
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Rouge Beach |
On western peninsula. (Literature) |
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Mullet Bay |
Between Lay Bay and Cole Bay, between Cay Bay and Little Bay. (Literature) |
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Dawn Beach |
Excellent when Ocean is calm. (Literature) We decided to snorkel at Dawn Beach a few years ago. When we got there we noticed that no one was in the water. We went in with our fins, and quickly found out why. There was a very strong current heading out to sea. We swam for our lives trying to get back to the beach. We found out later, that 3 people had drowned the day before - of course, the drownings happened in the exact spot that we tried to snorkel. (Fishbre396) |
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Orient Beach |
Excellent when Ocean is calm. Clothing Optional. (Literature) |
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Grand Case Beach |
Crowds of small tropical fish. Little current. Access via boat of dirt road. (Literature) |
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Shipwreck Cove (ship excursion)
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Good, nice variety of fish in 10 to 15 feet of water, and the wreckage from various ships of different periods (modern back to 16th century cannons) was interesting. They "feed the fish" at the end of the snorkeling trip, and that was magnificent--hundreds of Sergeant Majors and Blue Tangs just all over the place. The snorkeling excursion was off a catamaran type boat that had easy access to the water via a ramp. The coral was in very bad shape due to recent hurricane damage--fire corals only. (PegNDerek) |
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Pinel Island (ship excursion or go on your own) |
Small, very picturesque island off coast on French side of St. Martin. Snorkeling fair. Access off Beach. Topless sunbathing. Reached by taking a taxi to Cul de Sac, and taking the small boats across the channel. (Tom Kanitra) |
| Top | Index | |
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Cozumel, Mexico |
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Chankanaab Nat. Park |
Mexico Nat. Park, approximately 10 minute taxi ride from town. Snorkeling outstanding. Scuba and snorkel rental on beach. Food and drink available on beach. Drinks attract bees on beach. Changing facilities. Roped off snorkeling area. Dolphin encounter in Park. Great number of fish can be seen within 5 ft. from shore. (Tom Kanitra) |
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Palancar Reef |
Palancar Reef is one of the outstanding reefs in the world. (Literature) |
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Costa Maya, |
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Beach Adjacent to Dock |
Costa Maya is a new cruise port along the Mexican Caribbean coast. The location, which is south of Cozumel, is pristine, with no civilization as far as the eye can see except for the new buildings built at the cruise dock. There is a small beach area just north (to the right) of the dock. The area is roped off. While there is not a large number of fish like in Cozumel, the reef is in excellent condition. Out past the ropes are rays and barracuda. Just inside the ropes I saw a small moray eel weaving among the coral. (Tom Kanitra) |
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Grand Cayman |
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Eden Rock |
Snorkel site just few hundred yards from tender dock. Just walk to the right when you get to the road. Snorkeling is excellent. Scuba and snorkel rental at site. The first site has a small area great for young kids. Eden Rock is along a main road in Georgetown, with dive shop and restaurants along the road. There is no beach, since the old coral rock comes right up to the road. (Tom Kanitra) Absolutely phenomenal coral canyons, fish, etc. Turtle, huge Grouper, Tarpon, and very aggressive fish on the feed. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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West Bay Cemetery |
West end of Seven Mile Beach. It has beach access snorkeling that is excellent. The reef is out about 100 yards. Take a taxi there from the pier for about $6 per person. (Harriet Williamson) In North West, vast area. Good fish with reef squid if lucky. Fair coral as well. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Wreck of Pallas |
AKA Palace. Near Cemetery, slightly to East. CAREFUL OF POWERFUL CURRENT – VERY TREACHEROUS. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Parrots Landing, |
Good beach access snorkeling, south of Eden Rock. (Harriet Williamson) |
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Sunset House |
A bit farther south. (Harriet Williamson) |
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East End Diving Lodge |
Shallow reef. Mangroves and sea lice. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Half Moon Bay |
Beautiful enclosed reef with ideal shallows. Very ruff some days. Must see the blowholes here. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Frank Sound |
Long swim to reef but good coral heads. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Gun Bay |
Near the police station, see wreck of the Ridgefield. Can do long swim to there. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Prospect Community Centre |
Shallows inside Bay to the East. Wreck of the Newton. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Smith's Cove |
Nice sand entries. Good rocky rims. Few fish. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Ironshore Reefs |
Best snorkeling off the Ironshore Reefs on West coast, but like anywhere...Everything is dependent on the direction of the wind and the effect on the waves and surge. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Treasure Island Hotel |
Interesting with very aggressive fish. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Devil's Grotto |
Outstanding. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Parrot's Landing |
Continuation of the Grotto, but fewer fish. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Seaview Hotel |
Good fish, especially along rocky shores. Sea Egg urchins (harmless) and Porcupine fish. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Sunset House |
Excellent coral shore, but fewer fish. Good coral 100 yd. out but very deep. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Cocoanut Harbor Hotel |
Good shore structure. But sits between two Texaco storage depots. Odor and industrial debris in water. Few fish. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Stingray City Sandbar |
Snorkel and swim with stingrays at sandbar several miles off shore. Water depth 3 ft. and deeper (some over 6ft.) Outstanding snorkeling site. (Tom Kanitra ) |
| Top | Index | |
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Great Stirrup |
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Main Beach Area |
Best area for snorkeling is the left side of the beach (as sailing toward the island on the tender). Walk past the float rental shop for a spot on the beach. Go out into the water toward the big rocks in the water. (Tom Kanitra) |
| Top | Index | |
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CocoCay |
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Main Beach Area |
Best area for snorkeling is to the left side of the island (as sailing toward the island on = the tender). For beginner snorkeling, there is a rocky area in waist deep water with= fish. For more advanced, go out past the little inlet into deep water. Nurse shark= s have been seen there. |
| Top | Index | |
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Martinique |
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Point du Boit |
Hotel beach area. Topless beaches. Good snorkeling around jetties separating beach areas. Some coral areas on bottom. Large barracuda seen. Point du Boit is reached via ferry from dock near cruise ships. From ferry, only a very short walk to the beaches. Good visibility. (Tom Kanitra) |
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Anse Dufur and the Bat Caves |
By boat across the bay to Anse Dufur and the Bat Caves. Even better 20 minutes further around the bend. Absolute perfect clarity, octupi on walls, excellent coral, and few species of fish but large schools of what is there. Can be reached by Blue Ferry ($6 round trip) to Pont du Bout or Diament Beach, then cab to the sites. The alternative excursion is $39pp and does both sites. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Cap Salomon and Anses d Arlets |
West side of island, between point du Bout and Le Diamant to include Cap Salomon and Anses d’Arlets. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Anse Mitan |
Hotel beach area near Point du Boit. (Literature) |
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Barbados |
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Folkstone Park |
An underwater park. Approximately 20-minute ride from cruise dock. Beach has rest room facilities, limited food and drinks. Locals have huts set up on beach selling goods. Snorkeling is good, in shallow water with easy access from beach. Numerous fish. Calm water. Good visibility. (Tom Kanitra) Underwater trail, 200 yd. from shore to a raft anchored to a wreckage of small barge in 20' of water. The number one snorkeling site in Barbados. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Mullins Beach |
Good for beginners, calm water (Literature) |
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Paynes Beach |
Good for beginners, calm water (Literature) |
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Wrecks of Conimara and Lord Combernere |
30 ft. to 40 ft. of water w/excellent visibility, 600 yards. from shore. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Wreck of Pamir |
In 30' of water, superstructure breaks the surface, calm sea, 200 yd. off shore. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Wreck of Berwyn |
200 yd. from shore, 25 ft deep water, by Carlisle Bay (Literature) Seahorses and excellent photo site. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
| Top | Index | |
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Belize |
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Hol Chan Marine Reserve |
Huge groupers and large coral selection. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Shark Ray Alley |
Nurse sharks/ southern stingrays. Swim with them. Super. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Mexican Rocks |
Huge brain coral et al. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Coral Gardens |
Super seemingly endless coral displays in shallow water. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Turneff Atoll |
30 x 7 miles shallow fringing reefs largest and closest to the mainland. Snorkel trails from dock through mangrove lagoons. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Lighthouse Reef |
Easy beach entries-great for snorkelers. Slightly smaller than Turneff. Farthest from mainland off the dock into calm coral-lined lagoon. Great Blue Hole-in the center of Lighthouse. Half Moon Cay- at southeastern end, some say best in Belize. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Glovers Reef |
Least visited because it is farthest from Belize City. Do the mini lagoon between the southwest Cayes. Do the main lagoon with 700 patch reefs. Emerald Forest. Baking Squash Reef. Long Caye Wall. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Placencia |
Best beaches and adequate snorkeling but too expensive to get there. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Laughing Bird Cay |
Bird and marine sanctuary-snorkelers paradise. Brown pelicans and other birds float on surface with snorkelers. Eagle Ray Wall. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Ambergis |
Visit, but skip for snorkeling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Caye Caulker |
Visit, but skip for snorkeling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
| Top | Index | |
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Antigua |
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Calley Bay Hotel Area |
The lagoon is super for Snorkeling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Hawksbill Beach Resort |
Do both points around bay and island 1/2 mile out. Great beach. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Long Bay |
On the eastern side of Antigua. Nice sheltered cove. Beach access. Coral reef is approximately 50 yards from shore. Shallow water. Coral reef breaks surface of water. Snorkeling in reef area is done by following "alleyways" through the reef. Not large abundance of fish, but significant amount of new colorful coral growth seen. (Tom Kanitra) Only if winds are down from the east and water isn't milky. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Morris Bay |
Attracts snorkelers. (Literature) |
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Pineapple Beach Hotel |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Sandpiper Reef Hotel |
The hotel is closed but the beach remains super for snorkeling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Andes Wreck |
Near Royal Antiguan Hotel. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Boones Reef |
One mile off shore from Dickenson Bay. |
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Cades Reef |
On south coast, 2.5 mile long reef, 80 ft.+ visibility, about 1 mile from Cades Bay. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Paradise Reef |
North of St Johns above Dickenson Bay. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
| Top | Index | |
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St. Lucia |
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Anse Chastanet |
Per local taxi drivers, the best snorkeling site of St. Lucia. Approximately 90-minute taxi ride from cruise dock area. (Literature) |
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The Pinnacles |
Visible are octopi, crabs, seahorses, squid, and shrimp. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Marigot Bay |
Beautiful scenic bay, site for several Hollywood movies. Rather poor for snorkeling. Very limited fish to see snorkeling. Better suited to children playing in calm water. Coconut palm tree overhangs water, with rope attached. Kids can hold rope and swing into water. Some knee scrapes. (Tom Kanitra) |
| Top | Index | |
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Nassau, Bahamas |
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Coral Island |
Note: the site was closed during January 2001 visit. (Tom Kanitra) |
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Snorkelers Cove Beach |
Off Paradise Island. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Cable Beach |
Paradise Hotel on Paradise Is. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Cabbage Beach |
On north side of Paradise Island, but watch for rough water. |
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Goulding Caye |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Southwest Reef |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Angelfish Reef |
Great fish and fair coral. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Sun Divers |
Sun Divers snorkel boat leaves at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. from main pier area. It mostly takes cruise passengers but will take strays as well for $20 pp. It goes past Paradise Island and all the way out to the end of the harbor. Excellent snorkeling there as well as several wrecks including a tugboat. . (Harriet Williamson) |
| Top | Index | |
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Puerto Rico |
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Palmas del Mar |
(1 hour from San Juan) |
| Top | Index | |
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Lebadee, Haiti |
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Bay Side of Peninsula |
During Summer 1998 visit, water was very cloudy, with visibility less than 1 ft. (Tom Kanitra) |
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Excursion away from Labadee |
RCCL has a snorkeling excursion, which visits a nearby island. (Tom Kanitra) |
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Anegada, BVI |
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Loblolly Beach |
On north shore. Excellent Snorkeling (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Parametto Wreck |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Andro's Beach, |
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Small Hope Bay Lodge |
Small Hope Bay Lodge, which is a dive operation, also takes along snorkelers who are hotel guests. $10 per boat trip. Better for diving than snorkeling but there is some viewing. (Harriet Williamson) |
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Blanket Sound |
Blanket Sound, north of Fresh Creek has good snorkeling. (Harriet Williamson) |
| Top | Index | |
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Aruba |
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DePalm Beach Island |
Coral Reef 30 yards off shore. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Malmok |
Beach access snorkeling, always calm, good for children. (Literature) / (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Soreneto Reef |
At southeast corner. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Baby Beach |
Mostly 3-4 feet water, current usually rough, and strong current. (Literature) |
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Rogers Beach |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Barcadero Reef |
600 yards off shore, 20-90 ft. deep. (Literature) |
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Antilles Wreck |
Close enough to the surface. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Arashi / Arashi Airplanes |
To lighthouse-good snorkeling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Comments: |
Avoid the north side for snorkeling due to heavy surf and currents; still good beach & surf. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
| Top | Index | |
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Berry Islands, |
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Over All: |
Mediocre snorkeling from the beaches of all the islands. (Harriet Williamson) |
| Top | Index | |
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Bonaire |
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Very strict wildlife, coral and marine protection rules. Most sites are calm and well protected. Excellent shore diving sites accessible by road and marked by yellow stones. The 36 Hours of Wave Surge from Hurricane Lenny that hit in December 1999 did severe damage to shallow coral in many areas. Virtually all shallow shore snorkeling in the South area was devastated.
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Windsock Steep |
Small sand beach opposite airport runway. One of three best sites on Bonaire. Recovering from "Lenny" with hauled in sand and shoved= aside coral. Some shallow coral remains. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Belham |
Also a good beach. Entry to south with good sandy entry. Connected to Windsock as common beach area, do as one LONG swim. Just before private residence at southeast end, a nice small beach (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Batchelor Beach |
Good entry from steps into water. Good area of shallow coral south of the stepdown entry. But murky along shore when the surf is rolling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Punt Vierkant |
Buoy past small lighthouse north of "Alice in Wonderland". Good entry from steps into water. Good area of shallow coral south of the stepdown entry. But murky along shore when the surf is rolling. Used to be superb coral gardens. A Little is left. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Angel City |
Drive to radio station south of Krendejlik. Fair, but murky when the surf is up and running. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Alice in Wonderland |
Fair, but murky when the surf is up and running. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Pink Beach |
Avoid weekends. Great beach and decent Snorkeling. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Mangroves |
Just outside Lac Bay. Forget it. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Habitat (La Machaca Cliff)- |
Some interesting rock along shore shallows. Very good fish displays. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Buddy Beach |
Shallows. OK. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Sand Dollar |
Better than Buddy Beach or Habitat. Adequate. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Sunset Beach |
"Front Porch". OK with very steep dropoff. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Calabas Reef |
In front of DIVI-outstanding fish and widespread coral. Outstanding fish along pier and under waterfront buildings (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Boca Bartol |
Enter from Washington/Slagbaai Park. Use the yellow route. Magnificent site but extremely rough. Entry only on rare occasions. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Wayaca |
Also in Washington/Slagbaai Park. One of three top sites. Small climb down to sandy beach. Very remote, terrific coral and fish. One of the best anywhere. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Boca Slagbaai |
Washington/Slagbaai Park. There is some coral left to the north of the bay ...but more south of the bay. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Playa Funchi |
Also in Washington/Slagbaai Park. Enter to the right of the concrete slab at south end and swim north for the best snorkeling. Opposite the lagoon. Hard beach but good. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Nuke (Nukove) |
Coral virtually wiped out, but good fish and romantic atmosphere. The old cut to the sea is gone, buried in broken coral. We cut a new path to the sea and was marked by us as an underwater trail with broken large dead coral parts. We also restored the beach , removing littered broken coral. Worth the long ride there. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Jeff Davis Reef |
Hard beach and rough seas. Good coral and fish. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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1000 steps (Pieta Halt)- |
Steep steps (69 actually) to good entry. Best coral about 100 yards offshore in moderate depth. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Old Blue |
Just next to 1000 Steps. Hard entry. Watch for jellyfish near the surface and about 100' out. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Webs Joy\Witches Hut |
Must be calm or water murks up and entry is extremely difficult. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Port Bonaire and Plaza Bonaire |
Used to be superb coral gardens. Little left but very good around the pier. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Oil Slick Leap |
Ladder entry. Very good site. Watch the current. Swim south and drift back, or drift north and exit at Webers Joy or Jeff Davis. Huge Puffers and great fish variety. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Andres I |
Excellent. Difficult entries, but one of the best shallow coral gardens anywhere. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Andreas II |
Excellent fish, but still hard entries and exits. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Between Andreas I and II and Oil Slick Leap |
Has been privatized with no more shore access. But the snorkeling there is excellent. Reach it from Andreas north or Oil Slick south. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Bonaire Klein, |
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By boat, less than a mile from the main Bonaire. Worth whatever the cost. Pristine and top quality. Also porpoises come in near here. Use water taxi for $10 per person/round trip from town center. Very limited shelter and no facilities. Must have shoes if any walking, sharp coral except for very small sandy beach. Bring water and lotion. All the southern and eastern shoreline sites were protected from the Wave Surge from Hurricane Lenny but must be accessed by boat. Well worth it. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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No Name Beach |
THE BEST. The drop-off point for the water taxis. Immediate drops. Great. Go as far to the north from No Name as the swim /drift up will allow, then walk back. Be sure to carry sandals on the snorkel swim because the entire shore with few exceptions is all coral rock. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Leonoras Reef |
Snorkeler's Paradise on north. Only if winds are right. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Jerrys Jam |
(AKA: Ebo 's Reef)-just off Klein Bonaire facing Kranjlik. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Yellow Reef |
Very good. Only by boat drop. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Forest |
On SW bend of Klein Bonaire. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Knife Reef |
Mini lagoon area. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Munk's Haven |
Far west corner. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Sampler |
Snorkeler's delight. Resident Spotted eels. (Literature) |
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Carl92s Hill |
Large Groupers frequent area. (Literature) |
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Tenerife |
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Spanish territory off Africa west coast-mild in warm water. Snorkeling is excellent wherever winds are calm which would most likely be in the east side of island, Hard entries and exits however. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Los Christiones |
Excellent area in the deep south. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Curacao |
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Many sites short swim from beach. Snorkeler's paradise. Avoid north side due to heavy surf and current. Plenty of shore diving. Totally fringed by coral. |
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At Princess Hotel, 12 acres on southern coast from east to center. Enter at Playa Jan Thiel which is east and south of the Princess Hotel. Swim outside Jan Thiel Bay or Lagoon and begin the snorkel trail to the JT Reef near the Lagoon. Many more small unnamed sites from Jan Thiel Reef to Eastpoint along the Curacao Underwater Park trail for 12 miles. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Sandys Plateau |
At Boca Sorsaki, south of Jan Theil Bay. Do shallow terrace on inland side of marker buoy. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Santu Pretu |
Black sand, off shore here is "Mushroom Forest" |
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Piedra Di Sombre |
Between Caracas Bay and Jan Theil Bay. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Watamula |
Only on calm days. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Playa Kalki |
Super all around, but no amenities. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Knip Bay |
Avoid weekends. Enter on south side of beach near wall. Super. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Playa Jeremi |
Super. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Playa Lagun |
Beach between 2 rock formations. At end of "mushroom forest". Do the east cliffs. Excellent. Decent beach also. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Santa Martha Bay |
Off shore and south of Playa Lagun. Black Coral garden. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Porto Marie |
Super. Very nice and long beach. Shelter huts. East wall. Avoid weekends. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Cas Aboi |
THE BEST. All of above plus more. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Tugboat |
Wreck in 17', north of Buoy #18, need boat to get there. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Pietra Pretu |
Far east end. Super snorkeling, but only reach by boat. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Klein Curacao Island |
Tiny island 8 miles east of main Curacao. Consider dive tour. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Exuma Island |
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Hog Cay |
So-so snorkeling but worth a stop if you're sailing by because it's such a funny little island that's possessed of just a single tree. (Harriet Williamson) |
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Great Inagua I., |
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Man of War Bay |
Incredibly good snorkeling, jacks, grunts, parrotfish, puffers, barracuda, tangs, angel fish, just about everything. (Harriet Williamson) |
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Conception |
Excellent snorkeling. Best is on right side of bay as you face the sea from the beach. Go all the way out to the point. Slightly less good on the left side of the bay. (Harriet Williamson) |
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Jost Van Dyke, BVI |
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White Bay |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Great Harbor |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Norman Island, BVI |
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Can reach only by boat but good snorkeling around CAVES. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Angelfish Reef |
Visibility to 90 ft. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Indians |
At Pelican Island. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Santa Monica Rock |
About a mile south by boat. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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North Sound |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Virgin Gorda, BVI |
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Baths |
Boulders strewn beach. OUTSTANDING. Good shallow spots, especially to the left of the beach. Near Spring Bay. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Savannah Bay |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Spring Bay |
First beach down past The Baths. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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The Crawl |
Next beach down from Spring Bay, lagoon surrounded by boulders. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Tortola, BVI |
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Has 24 established dive sites. Many good for snorkeling |
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Brewer's Bay, north |
OUTSTANDING. Turtles on south wall area. (Rolf Ehrlich) Excellent snorkeling along rocky wall on left side of beach. Large number of fish and decent coral. (Tom Kanitra) |
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Soporo Hole |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Invisibles |
Northeast tip. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Smuggler's Cove |
(aka: Belmont Bay). Northwest end of island. Has snorkel trail. SUPER. Eel in the shallow reefs. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Long Bay |
Near Smuggler's Cove in the northwest. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Long Bay |
Near Beef Island. Has snorkel trail. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Cane Garden Bay |
Gorgeous. On the west also. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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San
Salvador I., |
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French Bay |
Wonderful coral gardens and bright array of fish. (Harriet Williamson) |
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Dominica |
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Airport east and snorkeling west. Low winding ride through mountains rain forest. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Champagne Reef |
Slight south of Rouseau. Great. Can do by cab. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Coral Gardens |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Douglas Bay |
On northwest shore. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Point Guinard Caves |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Scotts Head Drop-off & Scotts Head Pinnacle |
At Soufriere, south tip of island. Can do by cab. Superb canyons. 45 minutes from Rouseau. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Canefield Barge |
(Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Guadeloupe |
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North East Reef |
Beginning at surface, groupers, puffers, lobsters & huge French angelfish. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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North Side Reef |
Great photography, large snapper, good coral, calm seas, excellent visibility. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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West Side Reef |
Topnotch from surface to 25 ft., large snappers, trumpetfish & parrotfish, calm seas. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Saint Francois Reef |
Eastern end of the south shore of Grande Terre. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Pigeon Island |
Off western coast of Basseterre. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Pigeon Islands Westside Reef |
Best Snorkeling Area with unusual golden Moray Eels; calm seas; excellent visibility. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Les Saints |
The bays and lagoons. (Rolf Ehrlich) |
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Half
Moon Cay, |
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Snorkel the far north end for small wrecks, ba | |