Snorkling

[mikeg]

I'll be at the Pelican Resort in May. Does anyone have any good information on snorking around St. Maarten? Any snorkling tours to recommend? This is my first time to the island so any information is helpful! Thank you!

Mike

[Rick&Leah]

Most frequently cited snorkel sites are Baie Rouge/Red Beach just beyond Terre Basse on the French side driving from the airport and of course Isle Pinet which is just offshore between Grand Case and Orient Beach. That having been said, our experience at Isle Pinel was: fun beach day but disappoining snoreling. St Martin has many attractive traits, but for snorkeing, go to St. John USVI or Tunnels Beach beyond Hanalei, Kauai. Rick&Leah

[CaribSurfer]

I have to agree with the previous poster - snorkeling is not St. Martin's strong point. Lot's of people tout up Pinel Island but the snorkeling there leaves a lot to be desired. If you are going to St. Martin and want to do some snorkeling your best bet is to take one of the day sail trips to Prickley Pear Island. It's a fun trip to a deserted island with a fairly good snorkeling reef. You'll also get an enjoyable lunch on the beach. Also consider taking the ferry to Anguilla for a day to visit Shoal Bay - a fantastic beach with an above average (albiet small) snorkeling reef just yards off-shore - you'll need your Passports for this trip.

[JohnM]

The day trip to Prickly Pear is a good suggestion. The trip is enjoyable on the deck of the catamaran and the snorkeling was best we experienced in the area. Also, try Grand Case Beach on the Fench side. There is a rock a short boat ride away that we also found to be worth the trip. We saw a turtle, a spotted eagle ray and a great variety of fish. Even got to see a stick like crab (forget the proper name). You can get out there from the Grand Case Beach resort dive shop. Sebastion was a great guide.

JohnM