i'm a snorkle freak but since past trips have been with wife and others not so inclined, i've been relegated to going in from beaches. i have thoroughly enjoyed hawksnest, trunk, jumbie, cinnamon, maho, francis and hart (walked from nearby vill on one trip). im plan another trip to stj week of 12/11 with a buddy who also enjoys snorkeling and we plan a repeat of the early trips and others walkable from parking, watermellon and salt among others, and plan to rent a dinghy for a day. i noted there are rentals available in both curz and coral bay.

any comments on which end of island might be better for such a trip would be appreciated. aerial photo shows whole lot larger enclosed (protected) area at coral bay but with prevailing winds out of SE does it get choppier? plan to stay gift hill area so coral bay shorter than some drives and might consider dinghy to saltpond is seas not to rough.

any suggestions. thanks for your thoughts.

papabou