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Hi ! Could someone tell us about the snorkeling at the Cliffs, as we will be staying there . We have our own gear, but, if the snorkeling is just so so, or if the sea is too rough there, or maybe we could just rent some gear? and not worry about bringing ours along. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I've done some snorkelling from Catcha and from Xtabi. Is it world class ...... no. But I love to snorkel so it's all good and there is always something to see. I bring my own gear, I like to know it fits properly.
If you want some FANTASTIC snorkelling, I would give Famous Vincent a call, he will take you out to the reef and guide you through. It's about an hour long and we have seen some pretty great stuff out there. Turtles, rays, eels, octopus, lobster, etc. Vincent seems to know where everything is down there.
If you want to do something SUPERFANTASTIC, take the intro Scuba class with Ken and Sabine at Dream Team Divers and go for a dive!
I second rinakim...enjoy snorkeling at Tensing Pen...several hours each day...and the Famous Vincent trip to the reef is a must....all with our own gear.
I really into snorkeling and have been to Negril a lot. Others have said the snorkeling is good near the Cliffs, but I've done it like 50 times and have never seen much. The snorkeling on reefs is fantastic, though.
It is nice to have your own gear. Most cliff hotels and folks like Vincent have gear, but sometimes it gets worn out a bit.
We have been snorkeling almost daily from Blue Cave Castle. We also took a trip out with Vincent which is much better, but will cost about $30 per person. We have found plenty of fish, star fish , octopus and even a ray from Blue Cave. A good spot for fish is right at the cave entrance or about half way between Blue Cave Castle and Home sweet Home. Before noon has been best as most afternoons the water has been choppy and today visability very limited.
Regards,
Bob
if you have mask's that you are comfortable with do bring them, you will enjoy the dive more with a proper fitting mask...fins dont worry about..... most have them......
the sea will be the sea...one day big...next day small....opt for a breakfast dive first light......lots of undersea activity then...and normally calmer then later........and clearer..........dont schedule too far in advance, and DONT put a "downpayment in advance" you dont want to go out right after a storm.... bottom is stirred up for a day or two...dont worry the day you wish to go out, you will have many captains waiting for you...$$$
Have Fun....great thing about a morning snorkel....is the HUGE lunch you will want.....lol
Happy Thanksgiving
Yeah, when we went out with Vincent we took the 9 AM tour. Later tours that day were a disaster. It has been raining nearly every afternoon for the past 10 days. Sometimes just a few minutes, sometimes nearly an hour (today) and one day a bit over 2 hours.
Regards,
Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjonsun
I snorkel this area every year too. I usually stay within 50-60 feet of the cliffs as I worry a little about a passing boat or jet ski. How far out do you go out Bob?
There is a beautiful shallow water reef near the west end.
Anyone who PM's me I'll tell you where it's at, easily accessible and relatively unknown.
I have swam and snorkeled a lot on the west end.
I found that if you go around the point from Xtabi toward Ricks (in front of 3 Dives and beyond) it's good snorkeling and you'll be able to entertain yourself for a couple hours.
Some people say don't feed the reef fish, let your conscience be your guide.
That said, use bagels instead of bread, bagels hang together better.
Rhodes Plantation has fantastic reefs!
Todd, we stay within 100 feet of the cliffs and I have been up as far as Xtabi and down a property or two past Home Sweet Home.
Regards,
Bob
I'm not sure if we just didn't encounter them before but one thing I've noticed the last few trips is more jellyfish?anybody notice that? I'm talking west end,xtabi and up towards ricks
Here's a neat picture of a jellyfish my hubby took in front of Tensing Pen yesterday.
Nice photo.Now we just need a peanut butter fish.
What a great pic!Quote:
Originally Posted by NiceLady
HahhhaaahhaaaaaQuote:
Originally Posted by Fred Stripe
Awesome picture!
Last April while snorkelling around Xtabi we saw Jellies...it was the first time ever seeing them up at the cliffs...they were very small...the non stinging type. The photo looks like a very BIG jelly....i bet that one hurts!
I always take my own gear.... Depending on season, mornings are usually best. If you're lucky, you'll come across some spear fisherman making their living and they will work right along side you. You can go up to LTU for breakfast, leave your stuff with the bartender and snorkel while you are there. Same with Xtabi and Escape. I'm sure there are many other places.
Depending on season and current, I've always noticed large schools of jellies up by Ricks/LTU... Kinda hit or miss..... Sea stingers....
In January I swam from Xtabi to Rockhouse.
I ran into something on the way back - I had lap-swimming goggles on not a mask.
Still I'm pretty sure it wasn't a jellyfish, but when the crew at Xtabi looked at the bumpy rash they said jellyfish.
I remember it started burning right after I lifted the rope by Rockhouse (to swim under the rope) and the rope brushed my forearm (where the rash was).
Anybody got any guesses other than jellyfish?
I don't know about that rash butt the little jellies I'm talking about did sting,got my attention for sure!
the larvae or whatever they are called of jellyfish can cause that, they get on your skin and when squished or pressed on skin you end up with a type of sting, not sure if in Jamaica but got same in SE Asia.
We saw little jelly fish at xtabi. Didn't really slow any if us down... And only a couple days at that.
I just posted a video from our last trip .... Nothin but a great time! Here's the link again...http://youtu.be/xdacVct3Smo
mi snorkel down at Pee Wees every morniing......if it isn't too ruff.....anybody allowed der
the whole area by Blue Cave Castle, Moonlight Villa down to Home Sweet Home is the best on da Cliffs...
mi snorkel sometimes up to Xtabi......but sometimes going around the point at SamSara it gets ruff....
so for the most part mi stick out front of Pee Wees/Blue Cave Castle......
it's one of the things mi do for excerise der.....and mi really enjoy it!
Cool Runnings, Marko
It sounds like a jelly sting to me...they burn like crazy after you get out of the water...they leave little red bumps, about the size of a mosquio bite...You need to pee on it right away..LOL! Vodka works too...but why waste it?
jellyfish get caught in the rope as they drift by..the "slime " clings to the rope for quite a while...seen it on the beach also....... anywhere there is a rope going out in the sea...dont use them as "handholds" while your walking out
Happy Turkey Day..and give thanks also :)
We always take our own stuff. We went to a diving store and purchased all our gear, so, like another poster said, we know it all fits well. I prefer not to use someone else's snorkel, too. We stayed at Xtabi a few days last year, and we did not find the snorkeling there to be very good. We usually go up to Rockhouse and snorkel for a couple of hours and then eat lunch. There's' much more to see there, even though it is just a short distance farther up the cliffs. I imagine the farther you go up, the better the snorkeling. Obviously, the fish and other animals like the rocky areas better than the sand. We saw a huge stingray at Rockhouse last time. We've also never had that successful of a snorkeling trip out on a boat to the reef. You either have to get up really early, or its just hit or miss (I don't know which). We've gone out at 8a and 9a, and 9a is way too late. There's more people out in the water, and I'm sure that spooks whatever may be around. Maybe if you get out by 7a, it would be good. I'm not sure if you can find someone to take you out that early, though.
i am going to try Rhodes Hall for my dive this feb, heard great things about it for snorkeling, soon come
I'm with you at Rhodes Hall!! Great snorkelling and beach. So close to Negril!!They have been quiet lately though.
for sure Dash, soon comeQuote:
Originally Posted by dash