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snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michelle Sague (152.75.228.---)
Date:   06-28-11 13:41

Is it possible to go snorkling without having to get on a boat? Are their places that rent snorkling equipment?? thanks.
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Robert Zeigler (---.drr01.hrbg.pa.frontiernet.net)
Date:   06-28-11 14:14

Well, not to get too picky, but I've always preferred to bring my own stuff (I mean, who knows who had that stuff in their mouth before you ...? and how do you know it was in their MOUTHS???)

My advice: bring yer own stuff, if that's how you wanna spend your time.
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michelle Sague (152.75.228.---)
Date:   06-28-11 14:21

Well, yeah, I've thought about that. But there's 4 of us and we don't own the equipment. I'll see how much it costs.

But, can I snorkle from any of the beaches or should I arrange for a boat to take us?
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Geronimo (---.customer.broadstripe.net)
Date:   06-28-11 16:04

There are plenty of places to snorkel walking in from shore. Rosario is very nice. Go into Flamenco park and take a path to the far left. 20 min walk over hil to two beach/snorkeling areas. Plus every other beach has stuff to see in the water. Just rinse off the rented gear. That's why we have an imune system.

Robert, do you bring you own silverware when you go out to eat? :o)
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michelle Sague (---.sip.mia.bellsouth.net)
Date:   06-28-11 16:58

Thank you Geronimo.
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Linda H (---.dhcp.mrqt.mi.charter.com)
Date:   06-28-11 18:12

Melones and Punta Soldado also have snorkeling right from shore.
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Robert Zeigler (---.drr01.hrbg.pa.frontiernet.net)
Date:   06-29-11 10:58

I usually don't suck or even sneeze onto my forks ..... and they're much easier to clean.


Believe it or not, I've heard of people contracting funky mouth sores from using other's snokeling equipment.


Now, if it's my lady, we share bodily fluids all the time .... no worries there....:)
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Konadurango (---.sub-174-253-163.myvzw.com)
Date:   07-02-11 01:09

If you are going to do the hike to Carlos Rosario, look for the chained gate at the southwest corner of the Flamenco beach parking lot... There is a sign that says 'Danger' and 'Do Not Enter'... this is the trailhead (believe it or not).

Also, there is some decent snorkeling at Zoni when the water is calm.
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Vicki moore (---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
Date:   07-03-11 21:58

Just spent June 18-July 2 on Culebra. Did lots of diving and snorkeling. You can rent snorkeling equip at several places including right next to Dingy Dock, Culebra Dive Shop at ferry dock. $10/day. You can bring a disinfectant wipe and clean the mouthpiece if you choose.MELONES, is closest to town and is walk in. A couple to tables and parking there. Go to the right and find a sandy area to enter. Be cautious of sea urchins here. You will see some rocks protruding from the water. Snorkeling there is wonderful. This is just below a white 2 story house. Just go at low tide and it will not be as much of a surge. Wonderful seafans, corals, gorgonians, fish, octopus, etc at this site. LOVED this site and it rivaled what I saw diving the wall at Carlos Rosario.
SOLDADO (Soldiers). Rather rough getting back to it but some really good snorkeling including rays, octopus, various corals, squads of squid, etc. From the parking area go to your left. Find a less rocky area to enter and them swim to your left. Be cautious of the currents at the point, especially at high tide. You will also see some coral propagation areas where hard corals are mounted on pvc pipe. This will be sitting on the bottom and is a research attempt to the best way to save staghorn corals.
TAMARINDO saw lots of turtles here eating in the seagrass. Found carribean snapping shrimp in anemone (I have learned which anemone to look for) and temp the shrimp out, at which time he will loudly snap his big claw. Very loud for a 1 inch little shrimp, which is also known as the pistol shrimp. Saw octopus here, as well. If you proceed to the left and closer to the point you will see the coral propagation area by CORALATIONS. Be careful of the rocky point, as current can be swift here during high tide. Lots of juvenile fish at Tamarindo. Almost like a nursery.
CARLOS ROSARIO my family hiked over there but it was too rough to snorkle the day they went. I dove this site several times.

Vicki in Tennessee
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   07-04-11 11:42

Vicki,

People should bookmark your post; it is a good record of the leeward snorkling options. To that I might add that for exceptionally healthy coral gardens and huge reef fish, from Carlos Rosario, swim out 50-75 yards beyond the buoy (the northern corner of the sandy cut) to where the water deepens to 30-40 feet. Monitor your current, as it can get strong. A friend who dives in the Caymans said this area is easily as nice. I spotted a grouper there that must have been over 100 pounds, as well as spotted eagle rays, multiple green turtles and the largest parrot fish I've ever seen.

Doug
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michelle Sague (---.sip.mia.bellsouth.net)
Date:   07-04-11 12:54

Vicki: Thanks for all the info. I am printing it out and taking it with me to Culebra!


Michelle
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michelle Sague (---.sip.mia.bellsouth.net)
Date:   07-04-11 12:56

I know it's off topic but... any recommendations on where to stay? We will be there 1-2 nights, myself, my boyfriend and 2 adult kids.
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: palmettoculebra (---.prtc.net)
Date:   07-04-11 15:19

Good afternoon,
Some accommodation options also have snorkel gear avail. for guest use (like us).

We also provide detailed info. on the latest re: snorkeling options/spots for our guests & as we swim (laps for exercise) at least 5 days/week often draw folks specific maps on turtle spottings. In fact, I recently went out with guests & swam around for 20 min. to FIND them a turtle (of course, they were being quite illusive -the turtles-not the guests-as normally I'll see 6-8 during my 30 min. swim back & forth without seeking them out-lol!).

Best,
Terrie
Palmetto Guesthouse, Culebra

http://www.palmettoculebra.com/
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Geronimo (---.customer.broadstripe.net)
Date:   07-05-11 10:23

Vicki, was the road to soldado driveable? In a Jerry jeep?
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: palmettoculebra (---.prtc.net)
Date:   07-05-11 11:36

Good afternoon,
You can drive as far as the top where the pavement ends. Jerry will ask you not to take his jeeps off of the paved roads.

Beyond that point the road is dirt, however not just packed dirt, but rather a down hill road that, with rain runoff (i.e the day before yesterday) can be very deeply rutted.

Sometimes, driveable, sometimes not-depends when the last rain was. It's a 10m walk from the top (end of pavement).

Terrie
Palmetto GH, Culebra

http://www.palmettoculebra.com/
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Vicki moore (---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
Date:   07-05-11 23:53

"Vicki, was the road to soldado driveable? In a Jerry jeep?"
Yes, we went in a 4WD. Jerry did not mention staying on paved roads this trip and neither did he go over his "map" with us. There is no paved road going up to Casa del Sol but he knows this road and requires you to have a 4WD because it can get bad. We never had to use 4WD getting up to the house or getting to Soldado. We went very slow. There was a huge puddle of water but hubby waded into it to see how deep it was and we stayed to the right and got through it fine. We even had a guy on a motorcycle pass us getting back to Soldado. We went back there in 2008 and I think, actually the road was worse then. We were very cautious about acacia thorns as well as avoiding the ruts as much as possible.

Vicki in Tennessee
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Srini Viswanathan (---.washdc.east.verizon.net)
Date:   07-29-11 15:58

Hi Vicki,

Could you please explain the exact spot in Tamarindo where you saw the turtles.. We have tried to snorkel in Tamarindo but we only saw turtle grass everywhere... Unfortunately, we didn't know where to go to see the turtles in Tamarindo.. I appreciate your help.

Cheers,
Srini
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Vicki moore (---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
Date:   07-31-11 08:56

From the point where the kayaks launch go left about 1/2 way down to the projection that juts into the water. Go out the the grass and start swimming toward your left. That is where we saw them. Sometimes they are in a little deeper area so you might have to swim out a little farther. The smaller turtles like the very young grass just coming up to the side of the beds of grass. You will just have to snorkle and look. They are amazing!!

Vicki in Tennessee
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Re: snorkling
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michelle Sague (152.75.228.---)
Date:   08-18-11 14:32

Just came back from Culebra. Had a great time. I followed the instructions on this forum and was able to see the turtles. The reef itself does not look very healthy, but the turtles were a treat.
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