canadarocks Posted September 14, 2013 #1 Share Posted September 14, 2013 We will have just a half day in Grenada next March (12:00pm-7:00pm). Our ship offers a snorkeling and beach excursion: "Harbor Cruise, Grand Anse & Morne Rouge Beaches". It is a very good price and the perfect time frame for us. The key component is that it would take us to the Underwater Sculpture Park. From the pictures and videos I've seen it looks to be an amazing area, but I'm concerned that it is more of a scuba destination. To anyone who has been there, will we be able to see the sculptures while snorkeling? Is it necessary to swim down underwater to see them, or are they clearly visible from the surface? I'm far more comfortable at the surface . But DH is fine underwater, and if the sculptures are indeed amazing, I might learn to be too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lsimon Posted September 19, 2013 #2 Share Posted September 19, 2013 We've been on a snorkeling excursion there several times. You can definitely see the statues from the surface, and most people do not dive down. However the clarity of the water varies a lot on sea conditions as it is not in a highly protected area. Conditions have never been fantastic the three times we've been there, and the last time there it was fairly cloudy. Most of the statues are 15 to 25 feet down so how clearly you can see them will depend on conditions. In any event is is always a a fun snorkel and worth doing but I'd recommend it as part of a longer excursion (as you are considering). That way there will be other things you'll see so you won't be too disappointed with your day if the visibility there is not ideal. The three times we went we took the Shadowfax Champagne and Lobster Day Sail so we it was just part of a great day. After the stop at Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park that excursion goes on a nice long sail to a small out island down the coast where there is beach time and they serve a great lunch of fresh grilled lobster before sailing back. I'd highly recommend it although your arrival might be too late in the day to book this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadarocks Posted September 19, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted September 19, 2013 Thanks so much for your response Lsimon. We'll hope for the best where the visibility is concerned! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandStar Posted September 25, 2013 #4 Share Posted September 25, 2013 The new Vicissitudes (26 children holding hands) was placed last november in much shallower water to ensure that snorkelers who visit the park hava as much enjoyment of the the pieces as the divers. Unfortunately when cruise season starts so does the weather fronts that come down from the USA and so we often have unfriendly swells or poor visibility. The suggestion to do something that includes the park is a good one as it offers you a good chance to sightsee and have a good time if visibility isn't 100%. Boats that include the park in their overall excursion include Shadowfax, Grenada Seafaris, First Impressions and Carib Cats. Have a great day and I too will wish for the very best weather and sea conditions for you when you visit our gorgeous island :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadarocks Posted September 25, 2013 Author #5 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Thanks IslandStar! With arriving to the island so late, I feel safer sticking with the ship's excursion (which is very unlike me as I LOVE independent tours!). Hopefully the catamaran tour will not be too crowded and fingers crossed for clear seas! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aimodels Posted September 27, 2013 #6 Share Posted September 27, 2013 We did this as part of a ship excursion in Feb. 2012. The water was a little choppy and visibility was poor, but when you dove down 10-15 feet, you could see the sculptures quite well. Here are some photos we took (1/2 way thru album): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150709850545681.447350.567405680&type=1&l=95eebec834 Cheers, P:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadarocks Posted September 27, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted September 27, 2013 We did this as part of a ship excursion in Feb. 2012. The water was a little choppy and visibility was poor, but when you dove down 10-15 feet, you could see the sculptures quite well. Here are some photos we took (1/2 way thru album): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150709850545681.447350.567405680&type=1&l=95eebec834 Cheers, P:) Thanks. Unfortunately I can't get all of the pictures to load. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Tyler Posted September 27, 2013 #8 Share Posted September 27, 2013 Did this in February 2011 with Seafaris and really enjoyed it. It was my first time snorkelling and they were very accommodating. Could see the sculptures clearly, they were really neat. At the time the tour was $65/pp for a half-day tour including the underwater sculpture park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadarocks Posted September 27, 2013 Author #9 Share Posted September 27, 2013 This tour is 3 1/2 hours on a catamaran with snorkeling at the Underwater Sculpture Park and some beach time at Grand Anse, but no island tour. But at $39 the price seems right. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandStar Posted September 30, 2013 #10 Share Posted September 30, 2013 This tour is 3 1/2 hours on a catamaran with snorkeling at the Underwater Sculpture Park and some beach time at Grand Anse, but no island tour. But at $39 the price seems right. :) The price of the catamaran seems very low to me :confused: but it's bound to be great fun so I wish you all the best for a great day. :D For others reading the thread the seafaris powerboat adventure tour is US$69 now if you book with them but then with the price of fuel on island for x2 225hp engines it's still a great price. As always have a spicetastic day whatever you do here on our gorgeous island :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadarocks Posted September 30, 2013 Author #11 Share Posted September 30, 2013 The price of the catamaran seems very low to me :confused: It's a 45 minute catamaran ride out to the Underwater Sculpture Park, 45 minutes of snorkeling there, 45 minute catamaran ride to Grand Anse, and then 50 minutes at the beach. 10 minute ride back to the ship. I agree that the price is less expensive than one would expect, especially for a ship's excursion. But I've booked it for $39 apiece. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandStar Posted October 1, 2013 #12 Share Posted October 1, 2013 It's a 45 minute catamaran ride out to the Underwater Sculpture Park, 45 minutes of snorkeling there, 45 minute catamaran ride to Grand Anse, and then 50 minutes at the beach. 10 minute ride back to the ship. I agree that the price is less expensive than one would expect, especially for a ship's excursion. But I've booked it for $39 apiece. :cool: Maybe I should come shopping with you in future :D Have a fabulous time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadarocks Posted October 1, 2013 Author #13 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Maybe I should come shopping with you in future :DHave a fabulous time! Thanks! And thanks for being so helpful here on the Grenada board!! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baybear Posted November 1, 2013 #14 Share Posted November 1, 2013 It's a 45 minute catamaran ride out to the Underwater Sculpture Park, 45 minutes of snorkeling there, 45 minute catamaran ride to Grand Anse, and then 50 minutes at the beach. 10 minute ride back to the ship. I agree that the price is less expensive than one would expect, especially for a ship's excursion. But I've booked it for $39 apiece. :cool: Isn't that the tour where you have to paddle the boat yourself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandStar Posted November 1, 2013 #15 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Isn't that the tour where you have to paddle the boat yourself? At that price it sounds like the Carib Cats excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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