Also. . .is snuba worth the extra cost?

On a cruise ship stop in STT (I assume just for the day) - - I would recommend Coki Beach. You can take a taxi there and back. I would imagine you'd get arrested trying to snorkel at Orient Beach in St. Martin (nude) since the underwater views are rather interesting 🙂

Piney: Are you getting married on a cruise ship stop? If so, I have a feeling that most of your day will be absorbed in preparation, action and celebration! Come back on your first anniversary and spend some quality time! 😉 I don't think of St Maarten as a big snorkel spot and am hard-pressed to tell you where to go. They have some lovely beaches, though!

If you do have time to snorkel on St Thomas, practice in a pool at home so you get an idea of the equipment involved. As someone here said recently, it is more about floating than swimming about!

And best wishes on your wedding!! 🙂

Piney,

I will definitely add as strong second on Coki Beach! You can rent equipment right on the beach. Unless you want to swim long distances or fast (neither is really necessary) you won't really need fins. Now, I guess I should add that I'm very comfortable in the water and a fairly strong swimmer, for what it's worth. For more detail, see the massive trip report I just posted, specifically Sunday, 9 July 2006. [:)]

Trunk Bay over on St. John is also another nice place. We had Secret Cove recommended to us by one of the guys at the dive shop (Underwater Safaris) but didn't get a chance to get over there.

John

Go TO Coki!!! Coki is like being in clear pool water only with lots of tropical fish and other sorts of things. We saw barracudas and sting rays!! SO MUCH FUN. If I were you i would buy your snorkeling gear before u even leave for vacation. We bought ours at walmart for 17.00 each. When we got to STT we went snorkeling at 8 different beaches and saves tons of money, we were so greatful we planned ahead because the price can be almost double when u get there. Its worth it to buy here!!

I haven't been to Coki, which certainly sounds like a good idea, but if you want another option your ship probably offers an excursion over to St John. Our first trip to STJ was from such an excursion. We were ferried over to Cruz Bay and then driven in a safari truck to Trunk bay. Snorkle equipment was included. There is a lifeguard at Trunk , and the underwater sealife trail is nice for beginners. yes, there can be alot of people when the ships come in but in Sept., maybe it won't be too bad. Just be careful!!!..that was our last cruise and we have been vacationing on St John ever since...it is a beautiful paradise that we sure were glad to have found. Just another option!

go to coki as long as you dont mind being harrassed by locals at a dirty beach

man thats rough there is nothing wrong with coki.The locals are just trying to make money and live

Dirty? I haven't seen Coki dirty. It is a crowded beach, though....when the ships are in. It is too small for the amount of people the ships bring to it. I think the size and the amount of people makes it attractive to enterprising locals. They can easlily work the beach (chairs, umbrellas, getting your food and drink, massages, hair braiding, marijuana - ooops, I mean, making smoothies, etc and the calypso and reggae music is the best). It is definitely a beach with a different vibe. Try it on a no ship day or later in the afternoon after the ships have departed. You'' think you're on a different beach.