Hi.
5 weeks to go for us! I'm wondering whether we should bother taking our snorkeling gear. We're staying at Idle Awhile. From what I've read, there doesn't appear to be any snorkeling off the beach. It seems that we'd have to take a boat or go by the cliffs near the Rockhouse for example. We really can't do that because we'll be with our 4-year-old.
Am I right or did I miss something?
Should we just forget about doing any snorkeling on this trip?
Thanks.

Personally, I'd leave the gear at home. But don't let that deter any snorkeling trips. Check out the boat in front of Coco La Palm (right next door to IA) called Dreamgirl. The name of the captain escapes me at this time....but he charters excursions out to the reef and has decent equipment to use. If you are only going to go once during your trip, and there isn't any snorkeling to speak of from the beach, then I recommend leaving your gear at home. He is great with kids and your 4 year old would love to go with as the boat is glass bottom.

Thanks CaribbeanSoul. I think I'll forget about the snorkeling on this trip. I've already booked 3 days of excursions so don't want to overdo it. Thanks again.

hey there. I don't have any Negril advice, but I wanted to wish you a wonderful trip. What excursions do you already have planned? Is Patrick a pretty good traveler?

Hi Emily. Thank you.
We'll do YS Falls & Black River Safari one day. On another day, we'll go look for dolphins and stop at the Pelican Bar. And on another day, we'll go see Rose Hall Great House, go into Montego Bay and the town of Falmouth.
Patrick has his moments like any 4-year-old but overall he's a pretty good traveler. Whoever invented the portable dvd player needs to earn a nobel prize. Works wonders during the plane ride.

I know just what you mean about the portable DVD player. My husband's grandkids have one in each family and it really does make for pleasant traveling, whether by car or plane. And now that the older ones have their own iPods, well, it's practially blissful.

Sounds like you've got a great week planned--hope you see lots of dolphins on your trip. We sure did and it was wonderful! Looking forward to hearing about YS falls, as I've not done that yet.

Anytime, caribtraveler....have a wonderful trip! I look forward to your trip report upon your return. Make sure you buy a couple of beef patties and/or cocoa bread from the Patty Mon. He pushes a bike up and down the beach with a cardboard box full of patties and cocoa bread. He hits IA about noon-1PM every day.

Thank you guys.

CaribbeanSoul: I think we'll use your boat guy after all. If he does short boat rides (like 30 minutes or so), my husband thinks our son Patrick would love that.
I do have a question about the Patty Mon. Are his patties hot, meaning really spicy?
Thanks.

I think your boy will love that. They will definitely cater to whatever length trip you'd like to do.

The pattie have spice...but they aren't spicy as in hot. We love them....even the kids! There was a post recently on favorite dinners/meals in the Caribbean. I have had some fabulous meals in the Caribbean....but most of which I can get right here in Seattle which is quite the culinary city. But I still have yet to find a place I can get a Jamaican beef patty. So it is for that reason alone, I post that to be my favorite. I can't plant myself in a chaise lounge on a fine stretch of white sand with reggae music playing in the background, with an ice cold Red Stripe and a Jamaican beef patty here in the Pacific NW.

Leave it all behind EXCEPT the masks.
Tight-fighting masks often hard to find at rental gear shops and it's the one
thing you might not find right size/fit on.

Thanks CaribbeanSoul! I'll make sure we try the patties.
And thank you Tivertonhouse.
We're so ready to go.