Snorkeling on St. Maarten

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shorty

Guest
We will be going to St. Maarten in October. We would like to snorkel while we are there. We are planning to do Everything's Cool in the morning, but were contemplating going on the Pinel Island Snokel Tour. Has anyone been there? Should we snorkel on another island instead? We are going to Nassau, San Juan and St. Thomas. We are planning the Dolphin Encounter on Nassau and the Horseback ride on San Juan. I am not a very good swimmer and there are individuals in our group that can not swim at all but would like to snorkel. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Twenty four days until cruising.
 
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Nanatravel

Guest
I am not a snorkeler, but a cruise-addict. St. Martin would get my vote for the best waters to snorkle in. I have heard the Pinel Island tour is great. I am sure, even the non-swimmers will enjoy the boat ride and waters. I would also book this tour in the morning, Upon return, if you have any energy left (don't forget it will be hot) take the water taxi into town for your shopping. If you still want to experience Everything Cool, just go there and pay admittance. Save yourself the ship's tour fee because you may not use all of the amenities including lunch. For other reviews, try cruisecritics.com and cruisemates.com and their ports forum or on other Cruise Line forums. Many ship's and cruise lines stop at St. Martin.
 
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BurBunny

Guest
With what you're wanting to do on the other islands, definitely my vote would go to St. Maarten for snorkeling. While there is good snorkeling to be found from Nassau, if you want to do the dolphin encounter, you certainly should do that there! (Though I recommend the dolphin swim if you can find your way to the extra cost - you get a lot more interaction).
 
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BethW

Guest
Pinel Island is great!!! That was one of the highlights of my last cruise. I went in the morning with a friend who wasn't a strong swimmer. We had a great snorkeling guide, who was really patient with my friend, and gave us lots of individual attention. After our snorkel, we ambled over to the main beach - it really is like Gilligan's Island - breathtakingly beautiful, and nothing there but sand, water, and a thatch-roofed bar that serves everything from rum punch to champagne, and grills everything from hot dogs to lobster. Next time I'm in St Maarten, I hope to spend my whole day at Pinel Island.

On my last cruise, though, I got back to the ship around lunchtime and met up with hubby, who didn't feel great. After lunch, we took the water taxi over to town, and just plopped down on the beach near the water taxi (really close to Everyting Cool, if that's what you're interested in). There are lots of little bars along the beach - they all rent chairs and provide service. We stopped at the second little bar, and paid $10 for the afternoon - we got two chairs and two drinks for the $10. Other friends said they walked farther down the beach and paid less (maybe $8), but we were tired, and it was a good enough deal for us.

Have a great time in St Maarten!!!
 
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Rufus

Guest
When we went to Pinel Island, we were able to walk into the water and then follow a path for snorkeling. This made us feel secure as my husband is not a strong swimmer, but you also get a life vest to help you along with the salt water which keeps you bouyant anyways. There is also about 3 or 4 crew members from the catamaran who watch over the group. This is a place not to miss for sure.

Rufus
 
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EmDee

Guest
My husband, 13-year-old twin boys, and I went to Dawn Beach by car in the afternoon. The surf was a bit rough, with sets of waves coming very rapidly, but it was swimmable once you got out behind the breakers. The beach itself was very pretty for walking, but bring reef shoes for the rocks in the tidal zone.
 
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