Snorkeling Cruz Bay side of STJ

[jmq]

Looking for first hand feedback that the guidebooks do not provide...
Is the snorkeling at Chocolate Hole, Klein, Hart, or Frank Bay or anywhere else on that side of the island worth going out of your way to see?
If so, pls provide any specific words of wisdom you may have (access hints, entry point, which side of bay to snorkel, under what conditions, etc.)
Thanks much for replies.

[liamsaunt]

We've snorkeled at Klein Bay twice. Both times visibility was a little limited, and the water was a kind of choppy, however both times we also found a turtle. The beach is smooth rocks so water shoes helped getting in.

We stayed at a villa off Hart Bay first trip--the agent told us that there is a really good reef there, but we could not ever get in to check it out, the water was way too rough. I do remember the intructions on getting there though--on the right side of the bay as you are facing the water, look for a rock sticking up close to shore. Enter there, watching for urchins, and swim towards the center of the bay.

I'm checking out Chocolate Hole in October thanks to reports here.

[MrB]

The locals told me that Ditleff is nice. I would have no idea about access now that it is being developed.

[Steve S]

Chocolate Hole is amazing once you get out past the turtle grass into some deeper water. I remember some interesting coral "mounts" with a large variety of fish on the left side looking out.