Snorkeling spots in St. Thomas and St. Maarten

[h3o]

I'm going on a family cruise that will stop in both St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Unfortunately, I won't be doing any diving. I wanted to get some recommendations for good snorkeling spots. Healthy reefs, good for kids and hopefully not too crowded. Also, is it a good idea to rent a car or walk or take a cab to these places?

 

[Testudo]

Any chance you can make it to St. John based on your port schedule?

 

[ScubaTub]

ST. Maartens if you can get to Tinamar - it has great snorkeling. It is located on the French side, off of Orient Bay. Check with Sally or Chris at Octopus Diving - if he can't take you, then he will know who to recommend. Snorkeling Saint Martin | Octopus Diving | Scuba Dive & Snorkel St Martin / St Maarten If no luck there, then ask Jean-Michel at ScubaZen Club - Plongée - St Martin - PADI - Scuba Zen. You will need to rent a car to get to the dive shops. If you can organize a group among the passengers, then they might pick you up at the dock and take you to Tintamar - it is all about cost. I have used both those shops and the snorkeling is better on the French Side.

There was a snorkeling website for St. Martins, E.S.S. (Eco-Snorkeling Society ??) but I could not find it with a quick Google search. Maybe you will have better luck. This is a commercial site, but not the same ECO - SNORKELING PINEL. Isle Pinel is only one of the E.S.S. recommended sites.

Hope that helps. I was there last week.

 

[rick00001967]

if you are only there for the day i would agree with above about heading to the north end of orient beach. you can do it on your own though if you don't want to hire a shop as a guide.
we are returning in may. we are hoping to visit that area this time around for a day.

google "tintamarre" or "pinel island" st martin for info