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Snorkel site help
Snorkel site help
OK...I'm 20-something days away and as our group's tour guide, I need to "plan" out some parts of the trip. Namely; the snorkel trips. We go every day, usually in the mid to late afternoon.
The group:
Me - lunatic willing to go anywhere and do anything
The Wife - Willing to follow me
Tom - Does not swim. wears a floatation vest and is comfortable with it on
Christine - Swims and snorkels well but is not up for any adventure-snorkels. She gives me an evil look every time we so much as slow doen near Jumbie (that's the one with the stairs, right?)
So...in 2 trips, mind you, I've gotten the whole group to Hawksnest, Trunk, Cinnamon and Maho. That's it.
The Mrs and I have have hit Solomon and Honeymoon. I've also gotten to Salt Pond and Hansen.
We're staying in the Great Cruz Bay area this time, about half way out the point there.
Where to go?
I could maybe coerce the group down the stairs at Jumbie, but is it worth it for "all the effort". And, the swim to Denis would work for me and the Mrs, Tom would not do it...nor should he.
Are Devers or Hart accessible or worth the trip?
I want to get to Waterlemon but my only hope short of doing it solo is to convince Capt Phil from the Wayward Sailor to take us there.
AND...keep i mind that we tend to do this in the afternoon. I'd prefer not to drive back from the East End in the dark. Plus, Christine seems to get the bends when I suggest we go farther east than where Centerline hits North Shore road.
I'm not complaining at all. I am trying to get the group to more places on the island. In my 2 prior trips, I don't feel I've "done enough" and also don't want to just jump in the jeep by myself and go or drag along my lovely wife on another of my half-cocked adventures if she'd rather be by the pool with a Carib.
Help!
The group:
Me - lunatic willing to go anywhere and do anything
The Wife - Willing to follow me
Tom - Does not swim. wears a floatation vest and is comfortable with it on
Christine - Swims and snorkels well but is not up for any adventure-snorkels. She gives me an evil look every time we so much as slow doen near Jumbie (that's the one with the stairs, right?)
So...in 2 trips, mind you, I've gotten the whole group to Hawksnest, Trunk, Cinnamon and Maho. That's it.
The Mrs and I have have hit Solomon and Honeymoon. I've also gotten to Salt Pond and Hansen.
We're staying in the Great Cruz Bay area this time, about half way out the point there.
Where to go?
I could maybe coerce the group down the stairs at Jumbie, but is it worth it for "all the effort". And, the swim to Denis would work for me and the Mrs, Tom would not do it...nor should he.
Are Devers or Hart accessible or worth the trip?
I want to get to Waterlemon but my only hope short of doing it solo is to convince Capt Phil from the Wayward Sailor to take us there.
AND...keep i mind that we tend to do this in the afternoon. I'd prefer not to drive back from the East End in the dark. Plus, Christine seems to get the bends when I suggest we go farther east than where Centerline hits North Shore road.
I'm not complaining at all. I am trying to get the group to more places on the island. In my 2 prior trips, I don't feel I've "done enough" and also don't want to just jump in the jeep by myself and go or drag along my lovely wife on another of my half-cocked adventures if she'd rather be by the pool with a Carib.
Help!
The trip back from Little Lameshur is too long, so that's out. Sounds like you have different skill and enthusiasm levels. I'd seriously recommend the right side of Maho with an extended trip to Little Maho for the adventurous. The right side of Francis is also a good dive for an eclectic group.
Both beaches are excellent for easy access, soft sand, sun & fun.
Both beaches are excellent for easy access, soft sand, sun & fun.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
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In my opinion, the stairs/walk down and back from Jumbie is nothing. It looks worse from the road. I never snorkelled there.
In February, my mom and BF snorkelled almost daily between Cinnamon, Little Cinnamon and Peter Bay. They said they saw interesting things (and lots of turtles) between Little Cinnamon and Peter Bay. While in really good shape, my mom is not a comfortable swimmer and she had no problems.
How about Caneel? You could leave the loungers (non-swimmers) on the shore or at the bar and go around the rocks at the main beach.
We saw lots of things and had a very nice snorkel on the left side of Francis. Even our non-swimmers enjoyed snorkelling there.
In February, my mom and BF snorkelled almost daily between Cinnamon, Little Cinnamon and Peter Bay. They said they saw interesting things (and lots of turtles) between Little Cinnamon and Peter Bay. While in really good shape, my mom is not a comfortable swimmer and she had no problems.
How about Caneel? You could leave the loungers (non-swimmers) on the shore or at the bar and go around the rocks at the main beach.
We saw lots of things and had a very nice snorkel on the left side of Francis. Even our non-swimmers enjoyed snorkelling there.
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California Girl
If you could talk your group into going to LIttle Lameshure, they'd have a great time. The beach is easily accessible from where you park your car (almost like Maho) and it's absolutely gorgeous there. Here's a picture I took when we were there: http://www.pbase.com/thegripps/image/80104679
The road to Little Lameshure (not so bad): http://www.pbase.com/thegripps/image/80104677
Also, if you're going out with Capt. Phil, you should ask him to take you to Lovango Cay. That was the best snorkeling EVER! The water wasn't real deep so Tom wouldn't freak out
Here's a picture from Lovango: http://www.pbase.com/thegripps/image/80156472
The road to Little Lameshure (not so bad): http://www.pbase.com/thegripps/image/80104677
Also, if you're going out with Capt. Phil, you should ask him to take you to Lovango Cay. That was the best snorkeling EVER! The water wasn't real deep so Tom wouldn't freak out
Here's a picture from Lovango: http://www.pbase.com/thegripps/image/80156472 -
nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
First, I have to say that I always thought the same thing about the stairs and Jumbie but honestly the stairs are very short and the beach is not far from them. It's a REALLY easy hike. It takes longer to get from the parking lot at Cinnamon to the beach at Cinnamon than it does to get to the beach at Jumbie.
When we went to Jumbie the last time, the water was really rough coming at you so next time we do it, we are gonna wait for a calm day...not a day when there are storms a brewin'
A snorkel that is easy that we REALLY liked on our last trip was the far left of Trunk. We had the area all to ourselves and saw bigger fish over there and it was not rough at all. We snorkeled almost all the way to Jumbie doing it. I definitely want to do that snorkle again.
I would try to get them to do Waterlemon as the hike is REALLY easy (all flat) and you have a gorgeous view the whole time to keep your mind off of the hike. We had one in our group that was a novice and didn't feel comfortable doing the snorkel to the cay but was completely comfortable at Leinster and happy just looking at the turtles, rays and starfish.
Also, our Ocean Runner guide always takes us to do a drift snorkel at Congo, and it's always our favorite part of our day trip.
When we went to Jumbie the last time, the water was really rough coming at you so next time we do it, we are gonna wait for a calm day...not a day when there are storms a brewin'
A snorkel that is easy that we REALLY liked on our last trip was the far left of Trunk. We had the area all to ourselves and saw bigger fish over there and it was not rough at all. We snorkeled almost all the way to Jumbie doing it. I definitely want to do that snorkle again.
I would try to get them to do Waterlemon as the hike is REALLY easy (all flat) and you have a gorgeous view the whole time to keep your mind off of the hike. We had one in our group that was a novice and didn't feel comfortable doing the snorkel to the cay but was completely comfortable at Leinster and happy just looking at the turtles, rays and starfish.
Also, our Ocean Runner guide always takes us to do a drift snorkel at Congo, and it's always our favorite part of our day trip.
IMHO, if the "no adventure" person is williong to walk the parking lot at Hawksnest, Cinnamon or Trunk, the walk downt to Jumbie is cake.
I would also recommend Francis (next to Maho).
If you end up heading out in the AM or earlier afternoon, hit Haulover South (the one that you park right along). It so calm here and so quiet- hubby and I love it.
I would also recommend Francis (next to Maho).
If you end up heading out in the AM or earlier afternoon, hit Haulover South (the one that you park right along). It so calm here and so quiet- hubby and I love it.
I'm with PA Girl. The walk down to Jumbie is a piece of cake. I did it a couple weeks ago with only one good foot.
I believe Devers Bay is only accessible from one of the water front villas on Devers Bay. We stayed there last year and I loved the snorkeling. One morning a dive boat was a little further out in the bay in the Southeast corner, so when they left I snorkeled out to where they were diving. It was about 30 – 35 feet of water and it was awesome. The wife and I rented dive gear later in the week and did a shore dive in that spot. If you don’t tire easily you could start snorkeling in Chocolate Hole and make your way along the Southeast shoreline and around the point and into Devers Bay. It would be a long snorkel, but if conditions were right you could do it.
I believe Devers Bay is only accessible from one of the water front villas on Devers Bay. We stayed there last year and I loved the snorkeling. One morning a dive boat was a little further out in the bay in the Southeast corner, so when they left I snorkeled out to where they were diving. It was about 30 – 35 feet of water and it was awesome. The wife and I rented dive gear later in the week and did a shore dive in that spot. If you don’t tire easily you could start snorkeling in Chocolate Hole and make your way along the Southeast shoreline and around the point and into Devers Bay. It would be a long snorkel, but if conditions were right you could do it.
Thanks for the tips.
I had my eyes on Caneel and think I can coerce them to Honeymoon. But Chocolate Hole may work.
I liked the "left side of Trunk" advice too.
I know it will be great, I'm just in the mood to see more of the island this trip.
I'm booking our Reef Bay hike tomorrow. Time to see the petroglyphs! (just the 2 of us of course)
I had my eyes on Caneel and think I can coerce them to Honeymoon. But Chocolate Hole may work.
I liked the "left side of Trunk" advice too.
I know it will be great, I'm just in the mood to see more of the island this trip.
I'm booking our Reef Bay hike tomorrow. Time to see the petroglyphs! (just the 2 of us of course)
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vacationpants
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:50 pm
- Location: Ohio
We were there in June the best snorkel that we did was Waterlemon. We took the dinghy out there - that was fun - I would recommend it and I am the least adventerous person from our group. You have to tie up to a mooring at Waterlemon and I am glad that I had my husband to push me and my kids to pull me back into the dighy. I wish we had snorkeled twice around the cay as it was the best snorkeling all week. My husband and son also did honeymoon towards saloman and said that was also really good. The hike down to Honeymoon is easy and about 15 minutes (you do think you are never going to get there)but it is well worth it, as I think Honeymoon is one of the most beautiful beaches on STJ. I like Francis beach also and we saw two turtles but nothing else - no coral and no fish.
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
vacationpants - did you snorkel the right side of Francis out towards the point? That's where all of the coral and fish tend to be. You find more rays, conch and turtles in the middle.
The closer to the point you get, the more coral you see at Francis.
My first time there, I didn't know this and thought the snorkeling was not worth it (we didn't see turtles that first time either...just a bunch of sea urchins on the bottom).
The closer to the point you get, the more coral you see at Francis.
My first time there, I didn't know this and thought the snorkeling was not worth it (we didn't see turtles that first time either...just a bunch of sea urchins on the bottom).
Yep Jumbie is a piece of cake. We snorkeled the right side and center and wasn't to impreesed with the snorkel it was ok. But check the beach out and snorkel it. Nothintolose is definetly right the left side of Trunk is pretty darn good and the less adventurous will be happy too. Not many go down there either one of our fave easy spots What about Vies I hear there is a pretty good snorkel there. She was closed the day we were there on Sunday so we snorkeled were Kendall has his big canoe on shore. Was pretty good were the rocks jut out in the bay on the left. Park the car and you are no more than thirty feet from the ocean and ya also got to see the East End gotta do that Some awesome overlooks along the way you will know were they are when ya drive it.
What about Vies I hear there is a pretty good snorkel there. She was closed the day we were there on Sunday so we snorkeled were Kendall has his big canoe on shore. Was pretty good were the rocks jut out in the bay on the left. Park the car and you are no more than thirty feet from the ocean and ya also got to see the East End gotta do that Some awesome overlooks along the way you will know were they are when ya drive it.-
traveler22
- Posts: 853
- Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:17 pm
- Location: New Jersey
Sorry and this may sound rude but in the words of RickG "No Whiner" 
I applaud you for trying to get you travel mates to go with you but I would either rent two jeeps or drop them off at a beach they like and go snorkeling anywhere you want
It's your vacation too, enjoy YOURSELF and stop trying to please everyone else, especially since you stated the little misses is willing to try it with you. 
I applaud you for trying to get you travel mates to go with you but I would either rent two jeeps or drop them off at a beach they like and go snorkeling anywhere you want
It's your vacation too, enjoy YOURSELF and stop trying to please everyone else, especially since you stated the little misses is willing to try it with you.