Family Cruise-where best to snorkel

[kjarnold]

 We are going on a family cruise with 15 people ranging in ages down to the youngest at five years old. It will be on Royal Caribbean Leaving March 24 visiting Nassau in the Bahamas, Saint Martin’s, and Virgin Islands. Where would be the best place to snorkel with this large group. Would have to be compatible with in port times.  We would prefer to have shore based snorkeling. Thanks. 

 

[ABQrobin]

Snorkeling to see fish and coral requires you get away from sand and people splashing.... that means you don't get great snorkeling around a beach.  You will need to keep that in mind.  Shore snorkeling is not always great anywhere.  Some destinations will have a beach excursion where there is an area set aside for snorkeling, where it is away from crashing waves and swimmers, splashers, and allows coral to grow undisturbed.  All 3 destinations have places like that if you really want shore snorkeling, you just need to do some research.  

 

[mac66]

There is a forum just for snorkeling and scuba.  Lots of info for various ports there.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/24-scuba-and-snorkeling/

[KatPem]

Research Coki Beach on St Thomas. 

[catsngoats]

Virgin Islands: St John - assuming you will be docked at St Thomas, get the Red Hook ferry (20 min from Charlotte Amalie) to St John ( another 20 min).  Two great beaches:  Trunk Bay, which gets crowded, so get there as early as possible; and Honeymoon Beach.   I can provide more detail about getting there if this is an option for you, meaning you have a long day in port.  I was there Feb 2018 and it was awesome.

[back to the islands]

St. John has great snorkeling right off the beach at many spots! I have spent several weeks on St. John over the years. It is a snorkelers paradise!