St. Croix VI Snorkelling
 

Is this the best snorkelling tour to take on the islands of St. Johns, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe - from Royal Caribbean cruise? Any suggestios for these islands - should be done?

My question about snorkelling was for the island of St. Croix in case it was not clear.

Cane Bay and Buck Island are probably the 2 best and easiest access for snorkelling at St. Croix.

If you can somehow get yourself to Point Udall, Jack's and Isssac's Bay at the East End Marine Park are probably the least visited of the beaches in St. Croix by tourists. It is about a 20 minutes hike from the trailhead to the beach.

With the outer reef, the bays are almost always calm, with plenty to see for snorkelling or just laying about and sunbath. Best hidden gem at St. Croix.

St. Croix is a great dive destination, but I don't think the reef at Buck Island is as good as it used to be, so it wouldn't be my first choice (though that's the one to try if you want to snorkel there). Instead, I'd do a snorkeling tour in St Thomas, especially if it gets over to the BVI (more accessible from St. John). You'll have a wider variety of snorkeling options there.

Doug, you are right. I was at St John BVI last November and I like the beaches better there than what I had experienced at St Thomas (from a couple of years ago). They are also less crowded.

We did a private snorkel and sail excursion years ago from St Croix and it was fabulous. We recommended taking a private snorkeling tour to friends last month and they raved about it. They were on a cruise so just did the 1/2 day tour. Here is the website for the company they used. http://www.sailbilinda.com/

I did a Buck Island tour last year (I can't remember the company) and it was outstanding. I would highly recommend it. I just got back from a cruise and went to Trunk Bay on St. John's, which was also very good.

traveller69 and andrews - What was the cost?

I don't remember what we paid as it was quite a while ago but I think it was in the vicinity of $60 for 1/2 day.

I don't remember, either, but I think $60 or $70 was about right.

Is there a St. John BVI, or have the British invaded and conquered the USVI?

Frederiksted pier was/is listed among the 10 best worldwide scuba diving venues, according to a Texan retiree that I met on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. It is not very crowded, with many days without cruiseships at all to add traffic. Friends have raved about the snorkeling there. Within walking distance south of the cruise ship pier is a cluster of family-run resorts with cozy beach spans and interesting snorkeling.

The snorkeling just south of Frederiksted is just ok. But I do love the west end beaches, though they are rocky in places and have a fair number of sea urchins, so you have to be careful. There are two resorts, one a gay resort and the other next door more condo style. But with few places to eat nearby you absolutely need a car. I love St Croix, but the snorkeling in no way compares to what you can find much closer to St John.

I have not been diving or snorkeling at the cruise pier.

We took a snorkeling tour in St Croix. The boat broke down in the middle of the water and was a little scary as the water was rough. After the crew fixed the boat we went on to our destination which I don't remember the name of. Because of the rough waters very few of us on the boat actually snorkeled and the ones who did said they didn't see much.
Just our experience.

Before we went to St Croix last month we bought a book called "The St Croix Snorkeling Guide" on Amazon. It has over 100 full color photographs that show you the underwater environments of 5 beaches in St Croix. The Pier and Cane Bay are included in the book. I would recommend it. The authors of the book include their email address if you have further questions after reading it.