Celebrity/Infinity Snorkelling Aruba
 

We will be sailing Jan. 03 to the Panama Canal. Would like to snorkelling on our own in Aruba, Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas if possible. Any advice re: transportation, which beaches? Thanks!

I don't know about the other two ports, but for Aruba, I definitely recommend the company SE Aruba Fly 'n Dive. I found them on the internet. It is a private company that takes small groups on beach snorkels or dives. I am a fairly experienced snorkeler and I enjoyed the snorkeling tremendously. The dive master picked me up and dropped me off at the cruise ship terminal - I arranged all of this via internet before I left. There was one other person, so the smallness of the group really made the experience nice. The spots are off the southern part of the island. On the way to the spots you get a tour of this part of the island.<BR><BR>There was unbelievable coral growth at all three spots and the last spot had a parrot fish as big as a grouper! Saw lots of other sea life as well.<BR><BR> The only caution - since Aruba is a windy island, there can be waves and current, so if you are a beginner, you must be careful snorkeling at Aruba, except at Baby Beach. Even at Baby Beach, one of the cruise ship passengers nearly got carried off by a rip tide. The people at my table snokeled with the ship at De Palm Island and were bothered by the waves - and it was a relatively calm and sunny day! I was very glad to be with an experienced dive master. <BR><BR>Lunch, snacks, beer, wine are all included in the price. The excursion lasted for a little more than a half day, and since most ships stay in Aruba into the night, you still have plenty of time to shop, check out otther parts or the island, catch the sunset at Palm Beach, etc.

Thanks Cathy.<BR>We are travelling with another couple who are beginner snorkellers and so that's important info. What is Baby Beach like and what's the best way to get there on our own. How far is it from the cruise ship terminal?<BR>

Hi Sherri,<BR><BR>Although snorkelling is fabulous at Cabo it can be dangerous. Do not go on your own with a private company but take the ship's tour. They ship cancel and you will get your money back if the waves are dangerous.<BR><BR>Paul

Snorkeling in Cabo is completely different than the Caribbean. The water never gets as warm nor as clear as most any of the Caribbean spots.<BR><BR>As far as "use the ship's excursion or die" attitude; once again Paul and the cruise lines continue to use fear to motivate passengers to use their grossly inflated excursion pricing. Its all garbage and intended to line their pockets and not to keep you safe and on time.

Thanks for the info. We may choose to do something else in Cabo - any suggestions? We rarely use the cruise shore excursions as we agree totally with your assessment Peter.

At the tender pier in Cabo, we found a catamarran that took us on a coast run and then picture stops around the Grande Arche for four hours, unlimited drinks, chips for $35 apiece. Can't remember the name of the boat, but there were dozens of them all pretty much doing the same thing. You will be in Cabo during the peak whale watching season so you'll have that going for you as well.

Baby Beach is at the southern tip of Aruba. It is not close to the cruise terminal - I would say a direct drive is about an hour away. This is supposed to be a nice snorkel spot with relatively calm water. The beach was pretty - at least the sand. It is not very developed at all - just a few vendors, and there was little shade directly on the beach, so be careful not to get sunburned.<BR><BR>My second snorkel stop was at a beach right next to Baby beach. The water was relatively calm until you got close to the outer reef. Everything depends on the wave conditions that day, but Baby Beach is usually the best spot for beginners. <BR><BR>Most people rent a jeep to drive around Aruba. You can go to Orbitz and rent one before your cruise - just make sure you find a rental agency that is close to or in the cruise terminal. You may want to call the 800 numbers of the various agencies to find out the locations. I rented a car in Curacao and it worked out very nicely.<BR><BR>By renting a jeep you can stop at Baby Beach and then drive around the island - nice natural arches on the eastern side. Be careful where you drive in terms of road conditions and if be careful of the water conditions.