Best Snorkel - Indians or Norman Caves?
 

Although not a novice, I don't dive when I snorkel, don't want to see sharks and huge fish either, but love the awesome beauty of plenty of fish and coral. Anyone been to the Indians or the Caves on Norman Island? Which is best if you could only go to one? Does snorkelling beat going to the Baths? Baths may be real nice but how about the cruise ship crowds? Any feedback would be appreciated. diane

Diane, For the best info on the British Virgin Islands go to www. traveltalkonline.com BVI forum.....

Are you going to snorkel off your own charter boat or a daysail operator? Either way you can do both the Indians and the Caves in one day. I like the Caves, in fact our daysail on the "Dual Bliss" we anchored just off the Caves and had enough fish under the boat to fill an aquarium.

You can snorkel at the baths as well. Not sure when you are going but cruise ship schedules are available. We got to the Baths early and had the place almost to ourselves for hours. Don't miss Devil's Bay at the Baths. Great snorkeling along its beach and perimeter.

The Caves and Indians are in close proximity to one another and you can easily do both in half a day or less. You moor next to them and swim off your boat. At the Indians, you swim/snorkle around the rocks. There are great many fish and the water is clear down to 40 ft. At the Caves, you snorkle next to the rocks and go into the little caves (there are three of them). You can actually walk out of the water at one of them. They are neat. Different fish in the caves as opposed to outside.
At the Baths, you snorkle off the beach and around the boulders.
All are good. The cruise ship crowd is not into snorkling so much so it is not crowded (in the water). The path to Devils Bay thru the rocks is another issue.

Both have fabulous snorkeling. As John said, they are very close. We have done a Baths-Caves tour and a Caves-Indians snorkeling tour. Caves-Indians is great for snorkeling

How rough is this path from the Baths to Devil's Bay and how long does it take to get there? How about Spring Bay on the east side of the Baths, been there?

The Baths are a National Park maintained by BVIs. The "path" is a trail thru the boulders, with crawling and wading involved. It is unique with spectacular views and interesting rock/boulder appearances. It takes about 10 min to go from one side to the other. Devils Bay is the reward for going thru. The path winds over rocks but wood walkways are provided to go over some spots. You can/should wear some sort of foot covering (bare feet on rocks can be slippery). Tevas work. Sneakers would get soaking wet. Water socks are good.

Someone told me you can snorkel over to Devil's Bay from the Baths in about 15 minutes. I wonder about how far out or deep do you have to go in order to do that? Beyond the boulders I would guess, but since I've never been there I don't know how many and how far out into the ocean the boulders are? Snorkeling over may be easier than crawling through the rocks, etc. ?? Unless you're having to do it on the other side of the reef in the deeps? Are we having fun yet?

Not to repeat what has already been said??? The path through the Bath "boulders" is unique and shouldn't be missed.

As for the snorkeling around the Baths to Devil's Beach this would also take some stamina. Assume you would also have personal items that you can carry through to Devil's. Set up shop early before the crowds and snorkel the Devils side of the baths

If you are