TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Snorkeling - Need Suggestions!

Good morning all!
We will be coming to Tortola in April for 6 nights & one of our "musts" is snorkeling. I'm looking for recommendations on the best possible snorkeling tour leaving out of Tortola. We are staying in a house, so I've been looking at some of the day sails with snorkeling to get out on the water.

I'm a snorkeling virgin so have no clue what's "Good", so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

If you are new to snorkelling, have you any idea how competent you will feel in open, deep water? We have found that theory and practise can be quite different for some people. I would start your snorkelling career by going to Brewers Bay and walking out on the the left side of the bay (under Nicole's, the cafe). Snorkelling here is pretty good and you can stay within your depth until you feel happy to venture further. Always take your time when snorkelling, float along gently, not kicking and splashing and you will see much more than you can imagine. We used to make a first snorkel stop the Indians, until I realised that some excellent swimmers but new snorkellers were not happy in open, deep water. No one admitted it at the time, but did do so after they gained confidence.
I'm afraid I don't have knowledge of which snorkel tours are good departing Tortola, but others will chime in.

Nice off the beach snorkel is at the west end of CGB..take off in front of the red roofed " Cane Garden Bay Beach House)..nice reef just offshore there.

Thanks! Salica...didn't even think about that. For my/our first few times it would probably be best to go a little more shallow, then work our way up to deeper waters. Thanks for the advice.

Manpot...will keep that in mind since we will be at CGB A LOT! Anywhere near there we could rent snorkel gear?

You'll no doubt be fine, but no point in scaring anyone and putting them off completely to such a great activity.

They should have gear for rent at the watersports stand in front of "Myett's"..some villas also provide it ( we do).

I agree with the others, for a newbie, starting off walking off the beach might be the best suggestion, to get yourself more acclimated. ...which is not to say that you shouldn't get out on the water, by taking a day sail around, as you really should do that. But don't focus on it per se as a snorkelling trip..

Hello,
You can try Debs at Island Surf and Sail for your day trip. Captain Debs does guided snorkel tours, and provides all the snorkel aids and gear you need for the day. Debs loves snorkelling, and will take every step to make sure you are safe, and enjoy the experience! This is a power boat day trip (max 6 people)out of Soper's Hole Marina, which also means you can visit multiple spots during the day, and different islands. For more info, please visit www.daytripsbvi.com or call 1-284-494-0123.

On a decent day, "The Indians" is an excellent snorkel location.

I agree that you should get acclimated with at lease one snorkel off a beach. Then, if you hire a powerboat, you could cover Indians, Cooper and The Baths, all excellent spots.
Probably want to avoid The Wreck of the Rhone until you are more practiced, as it can be a bit intimidating.

Try going over to Virgin Gorda and do Savannah bay and Mahoe Bay - it would make an interesting day trip and the snorkeling is second to none.

Thanks all!

With the baths being one of our musts while we're there, it seems like it's hard to find a good tour there. Most people I've contacted say they can't guarantee due to weather.

Can someone tell me what our best bet would be to get there? Would it be to get a ferry to Virgin Gorda, then cab over to the baths? You guys will have to forgive me as I don't know the geography of where the ferry gets dropped at versus where the baths are located & if this would even be possible.

If you are in Tortola, you should go to the Indians. It's a short boat ride. There are plenty of tour groups that go there. The water is so salty you can't drown!! I sink like a rock but float everywhere I go in the BVI. There are tons of fish and we see Sea Turtles often.

Check out Speedys Ferry. I think they have a package that includes the ferry and a trip to the baths. Maybe lunch also.

We haven't yet snorkeled Smuggler's Cove when on Tortola. Anyone have experience there? Certainly a beautiful beach!

We still look forward to taking daysails with Joe (Patouche) and Kuralu one of these visits, we seem to spend too much time limin' on the gorgeous beaches! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" />

They do offer different packages.
Be sure to check the cruise ship schedule as it gets very congested there when the crowds roll in. Spring Bay is a nice alternative.

"Newbie" or "Never" -- if never suggest contacting the local scuba company and they should acquaint you and get you comfortable in the water -- If you are comfortable in a pool you will have no problems in the salt. If you need glasses for distance and really want to snorkel/scuba in the future for not a lot of $$$ can order online a good mask with optical correction for about 100USD. Or use a standard mask with contacts but if your mask floods use contacts that if you lose no big deal -- makes a big difference in the experience. renting fins is easy; a good mask with a well-fitting soft silicone skirt can make or break a good experience.

Ferry over on Speedy's and rent a car for the day..short drive to the Baths ( get there early or much later in the day to avoid crowds)..check out the old mine..have a cold one at "Mermaids" and check the views and you can see Morgan Freeman's house on the point..stop at " Hog Heaven" for view and a snack and on to Leverick to meet Nick and Monica..perfect day..stop at Savannah Bay and snorkel again..then head back to Spanish Town and back on the ferry late afternoon..

I really appreciate all the advice! I'm glad I found this forum...You guys are a huge help!

Manpot...this may be a stupid question but who are Nick & Monica?

Nick and Monica run Leverick Bay..they are great friends to all us TTOLers..give us special rates and a very warm welcome..check out the poster featuring many of us on the dock. They are very special people, running a lovely "resort" and will greet you with open arms..and maybe a cold one at the end of their workday!

Thanks. A little off topic, but does anyone have the scoop on fishing?

I would love to get out on the water & fish while in BVI, but also don't want to break the bank. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Fishing from shore is free and license free..watched two guys in CGB the other day catching a hard nose or two..just watch for the "boiling" water and cast..

Thanks. I was thinking about getting to the marina early in the morning & seeing if I could hop on a boat going out if I threw them a few hundred dollars. Any idea if this would be possible?

Re the baths - take the ferry over and take a cab - easy access down the hill from the parking lot at the baths - if you want to combine the baths trip with snorkeling at Savannah that would make for a full day of fun in the sun. Note - depending on the time of year the seas can be rough at the baths.

A comprehensive list of daysail and powerboat options.

Nice list Frank but you have a few dead links there. You may want to add Island Surf and Sail, Island Time, King Charters, and a few other relatively new powerboat entries.