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Full Day Dinghy Experience
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VirginBurger
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sat May 28, 2011 11:39 pm
Full Day Dinghy Experience
Couple questions on this:
1) What time does the "Full Day" dinghy thing start at Noah's Little Ark? What is their actual address?
3) Do we have to be there a specific time or can we stroll in a little later?
4) Can we swing back to the town area, pull up somewhere, and walk into a lunch place to eat, then hop back in the boat and go back out?
5) Can you recommend some of the best spots to snorkel? Only you guys know the true beautiful gems and secret spots ... please share!
6) Is there any risk at all of animal water danger? Should we stay in shallow water if we get out of the boat? Or can we jump out and snorkel in deeper water without fear?
Thanks
1) What time does the "Full Day" dinghy thing start at Noah's Little Ark? What is their actual address?
3) Do we have to be there a specific time or can we stroll in a little later?
4) Can we swing back to the town area, pull up somewhere, and walk into a lunch place to eat, then hop back in the boat and go back out?
5) Can you recommend some of the best spots to snorkel? Only you guys know the true beautiful gems and secret spots ... please share!
6) Is there any risk at all of animal water danger? Should we stay in shallow water if we get out of the boat? Or can we jump out and snorkel in deeper water without fear?
Thanks
Just did a full day with Noah's yesterday.
1). Starts at 9am. We arrived early and were able to get an earlier start. They are locted in front of The Beach Bar.
3) I made a reservation secured with a cc. I am sure you can arrive later, we just couldn't wait.
4) Sure!
5) Waterlemon.
6). Noach give you an orientation and a waterproof map with highlighted areas to avoid, beaching areas and mooring spots.
1). Starts at 9am. We arrived early and were able to get an earlier start. They are locted in front of The Beach Bar.
3) I made a reservation secured with a cc. I am sure you can arrive later, we just couldn't wait.
4) Sure!
5) Waterlemon.
6). Noach give you an orientation and a waterproof map with highlighted areas to avoid, beaching areas and mooring spots.
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Need2GetAway
- Posts: 326
- Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2010 3:52 pm
- Location: Upstate NY
VirginBurger --
Noah's Little Arks' "office" is nothing more than a cabinet on the beach in front of the beach bar. LOL. The guy who runs it just sort of hangs out there. When you get there he will show you a brief video of how to operate the dinghy and where you can go.
You could certainly come back to Cruz Bay for lunch, but you will waste a lot of time doing that. Usually one would head out, go to the farthest point they want to go (for us that was Waterlemon) and then meander back. We docked at Caneel Bay for overpriced drinks (served with a snotty attitude I might add) and you could probably eat there. Better yet - we picked up beautiful deli sandwiches from Deli Grotto before we left, threw them in our cooler with some beer, and put that in the dinghy for a wonderful beach picnic lunch.
It is a little tricky getting in and out of the dinghy in deep water. I could do it (I lift weights!) but it was harder for my husband. I think some people simply couldn't do it at all. If you beach the dinghy it's better because it's easy, and you have your stuff on the beach. Noah's will tell you where you can beach. At some of the snorkel spots though you will moor at a buoy and hoist yourself in and out of the boat in deep water. Try to get in the boat sideways, not head first.
No animal danger other than sea urchins - don't step on anything and you should be ok. The current is a little stiff in places (Indians and Waterlemon in places) so flippers are helpful.
Have fun!
Noah's Little Arks' "office" is nothing more than a cabinet on the beach in front of the beach bar. LOL. The guy who runs it just sort of hangs out there. When you get there he will show you a brief video of how to operate the dinghy and where you can go.
You could certainly come back to Cruz Bay for lunch, but you will waste a lot of time doing that. Usually one would head out, go to the farthest point they want to go (for us that was Waterlemon) and then meander back. We docked at Caneel Bay for overpriced drinks (served with a snotty attitude I might add) and you could probably eat there. Better yet - we picked up beautiful deli sandwiches from Deli Grotto before we left, threw them in our cooler with some beer, and put that in the dinghy for a wonderful beach picnic lunch.
It is a little tricky getting in and out of the dinghy in deep water. I could do it (I lift weights!) but it was harder for my husband. I think some people simply couldn't do it at all. If you beach the dinghy it's better because it's easy, and you have your stuff on the beach. Noah's will tell you where you can beach. At some of the snorkel spots though you will moor at a buoy and hoist yourself in and out of the boat in deep water. Try to get in the boat sideways, not head first.
No animal danger other than sea urchins - don't step on anything and you should be ok. The current is a little stiff in places (Indians and Waterlemon in places) so flippers are helpful.
Have fun!
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paulandtracie
- Posts: 236
- Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:45 am
- Location: Michigan
We also did a full day dinghy recently and I would second the sandwich/picnic idea, we had a beautiful picnic lunch at Gibney Beach, which is tough to get to, or at least park at. Make sure you have a cooler with everything you need and plenty of ice before you take off as it can be a pain to track down more supplies from a dinghy. I agree coming all the way back to Cruz Bay to eat would be a long trip but if you want to eat at a restaurant setting, you can use the mooring balls at Trunk Bay (can only beach the dinghies for 15 min there) or at Cinnamon. Depending on currents, you should be careful about going overboard in deep water unless you know what you're doing. We had big currents at Waterlemon one day and snorkeled at Henley Cay instead, great snorkeling there (again, depending on wind and current) and right off of the north point of Whistling Cay. Above all, remember LOTS of sunscreen and cover ups as the sun can be brutal when you're out there all day. Have fun, it's a great way to spend the day!!
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EagleRayLover
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:56 pm
- Location: St. John -WooHoo!!
I'd like to add- although touching any coral is really not a good idea and i know you asked specifically about " animals" -BUT be careful around fire coral. It is red and gives a nasty sensation.
I can think of two animals that people need to be aware of- stingrays- which i love, but will protect themselves if they are afraid- and people need to know where the barb is. lionfish which are beautiful but not indigenous to be in the virgin islands but are present now and are very dangerous if touched. I would suggest Getting a picture from Google images so you just know what one looks like.
Hope this helps.
PS I loved my dinghy day!!! one of my best snorkel days ever!!!!
( met my first Eagle Ray, Cooper, and anyone who know me can tell you how important that was!!))
I can think of two animals that people need to be aware of- stingrays- which i love, but will protect themselves if they are afraid- and people need to know where the barb is. lionfish which are beautiful but not indigenous to be in the virgin islands but are present now and are very dangerous if touched. I would suggest Getting a picture from Google images so you just know what one looks like.
Hope this helps.
PS I loved my dinghy day!!! one of my best snorkel days ever!!!!
( met my first Eagle Ray, Cooper, and anyone who know me can tell you how important that was!!))Leslie, Kids Night In Babysitting