Where would you go with Pam Gaffin?

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:07 am

We're hoping that Pam Gaffin can spend a day with us in April, and I'm starting to think about what we'd like to do. First on the list is snorkeling all the way around Waterlemon Cay, if conditions are good that day. I've always been afraid (there's that neurosis thing again) to go around with just Blaine.
I was thinking Pelican Rock, next? Any other really great snorkels that I've been too afraid to do? Tektike? Basically anything really far from shore, out of sight from shore or in really deep water has been off limits til now. We did go to Waterlemon on our first trip, but I was way too afraid to go around as I was brand new to snorkeling.
I was also thinking that we could ask her to introduce us to what's beyond the gas station ha ha.... the South shore.
Where would you go?

Caw954s · Post by **Caw954s** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:30 am

Hi mindehankins! We spent 2 hours with Pam when we went in January and it was so worth it!! She's quite a lady, when we go again I really want to go to the indians, but I know you need to charter a boat to get there, so that's most likely a captain John trip rather than Pam. You should e-mail her and tell her your history at STJ and see if she has any suggestions given your experience coupled with your cautiousness.
What a fun thing to think about! Enjoy...

54b · Post by **54b** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 1:44 pm

A couple ideas:

Given her knowledge of the island, I'd shoot for something really off the beaten path...I've always wanted to snorkel some spots around the Southwestern Shore of STJ - Chocolate Hole, Devers, Hart, Fish and Klein Bays (Rick is always talking about these) - but the access to those beachheads is not easy to find from shore since almost all the land around them is private. But I bet Ms. Gaffin knows how to access them.

Over on the South Shore, Grootpan and Kiddel might be fun, not always easy to find those either...and if she's driving, definitely take advantage and get her to take you over the hill to Great Lameshur...the right side out to the point is pretty good snorkeling (lot of trenches) and then the left side far out where it curves around to Donkey Bite and Beehive Cove is of course, Tektite.

My wife and I did Tektite a couple of years ago. I'd say we enjoyed the adventure of doing it (thrill of finding it, rock scramble, isolation, etc.) more so than what we actually enjoyed the snorkel itself, but it was a lot of fun. The rock scramble out the left side of Great Lameshur is no joke though...it's like mogul skiing without skis.

Last suggestion...Haulover North...certainly don't need Ms. Gaffin to find it, but this is my favorite snorkel and she probably knows a lot about that area and where to go when you enter the water.

Have fun...sounds like Pam Gaffin offers tours, did I understand that correctly?

Caw954s · Post by **Caw954s** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 4:05 pm

54b wrote:
Have fun...sounds like Pam Gaffin offers tours, did I understand that correctly?

She does, the last page of her book discusses her guide service...no whiners she says, only nice people..ha!
BTW, The info you provided mindy is really good! I'm going to print that off and tuck it away for next time we're on STJ 54b...thanks

54b · Post by **54b** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 5:08 pm

Caw954s wrote:She does, the last page of her book discusses her guide service...no whiners she says, only nice people..ha!
BTW, The info you provided mindy is really good! I'm going to print that off and tuck it away for next time we're on STJ 54b...thanks

No kidding...my copy is so worn out now that it's almost falling apart at the seams from being consulted. But I've never noticed that. Wonder how many other people missed that too because like me, they read the book more like a reference manual instead of cover to cover like a novel.

Glad to know it. Thanks.

Two more good snorkel spots in case you're interested:

1) Whistling Cay - If Maho Bay Camp is still open, you can rent a kayak from them and paddle out to that rock beach on Whistling Cay with the little rock house. Then you beach the kayak there and swim around the side of the cay facing Francis/Maho Bay. (Around Mary's Point right across the channel from there is good too)

2) Dennis Bay - The reef is actually right next to the shore for much of the beach, so you have to go to the far side to find a good entry point. Then you swim straight out to where the reef drops off in deep water and swim back along it. Very neat...just don't get caught on top of the brief, at low tide you can find yourself like a foot off the deck.

GoldenDaze · Post by **GoldenDaze** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:34 pm

Friends of ours were on island in January and went hiking on the Brown Bay trail with Pam. They did some snorkeling at Brown Bay and explored some ruins. A good time was had by all.

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:28 pm

Oooh, Haulover North! I didn't even think of that! I did send her an email with a little more information about us, and what we'd like to do. I'm pretty sure it won't be hiking, but I'd love if she'd accompany us to Waterlemon or Haulover North.
Good to hear that Tektike wasn't a fantastic snorkel, though the exploration was fun.
Yes, I think that we'll ask for one of those two snorkels (according to conditions) and then a trip to the South side of the island, and show us how to find our way around over there. That'll open up more options for us for exploring on our own, later.
We'll be spending the last day of this trip with her - really looking forward to it!
And we're booked on the guided Reef Bay hike too. There's always something new to look forward to, on St. John

Oh, and I'll take good notes and pics, on how to access those difficult to find beaches!

Lindy · Post by **Lindy** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:18 pm

Minde - Depending on conditions that day, you might want to try Klein Bay, left side, along Ditleff. If she can get you out to the beach on Ditleff, even better. We always hit Klein Bay when the swells are up on the North Shore. The beach is very rocky and non-snorkelers are usually not too happy with it, but I've always found it to be a fun place to snorkel. There are some cliff walls along the left side that have fish, turtles and almost always an octopus if you're patient. I've never snorkeled all the way to the point on Ditliff because no one else wants to go that far, but it's my understanding that it's supposed to be pretty good out there. I've also snorkeled off to the right.....it's a long haul to get out where it's interesting, but again, good cliff walls to scope out. See what Pam recommends. I've read that around Ditliff point going into Fish Bay it is a shark nursery.....might be interesting if they don't scare you too much. That would be pretty ambitious from Klein Bay, but if she uses a boat you might be able to consider it if you feel confident enough.

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 2:33 pm

Minde. no suggestions on places to go, but I take a noodle with me snorkeling which helps my confidence. if you need to sit up and adjust mask or just take a break its great. I like that boats can see me better also. I did fine at Waterlemon with the snorkel. know you will have a great day no matter where you choose

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Sun Mar 17, 2013 2:41 pm

Minde,

Do you have a good fitting life vest? My mom isn't much of a swimmer but snorkels for hours (even off shore reefs) wearing her vest.

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 6:00 pm

Thanks for the suggestions about noodles and vests. I will use one of those - noodle probably, because Pam suggested it. My fear is more about having another stroke out there, and Blaine panicking while trying to get me back to shore and get help.

It's been 5 years, but once that happens to you, the thought of the "next one" never leaves your mind.
Cue the Fred Sanford imitation LOLOL!

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