Buses & Carrying Things With

We are trying to avoid renting a car this year, as we will be on 7 Mile Beach on Snooze Lane. It appears we are within walking distance to a number of restaurants, etc.

I (we) hope to take the bus up and down the coast line, but it appears snorkeling is more marked to be to the south towards George Town and further south, as there appears to be no snorkeling locations marked to the north. More like from Wreck of the Gamma down towards Sunset Reef.

If I walk out to West Bay Road is it relatively easy to flag down a bus/van with a backpack of snorkeling equipment, and do I need to know the exact location I am going to, or can I simply give a general direction and the driver may know the place, especially if I can point to it on a map?

Is there enough room and is it allowed to carry things on to the bus with me?

I expect bus fares to be $3-4 each way U.S. dollars and will simply carry small bills with me for rides.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

6.5 days and counting. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

My thoughts...

Snorkeling around the Seven Mile Beach area is OK. Corals are pretty much wiped out, but you can often see a nice variety of fish and occasionally turtles and rays. Water is usually calm with little wave action.

Cemetery Beach on the Northern end is one of the better spots. The less damaged/destroyed corals are 150 yards or so from the beach.

Governor's Beach in the Central beach section has a small patch reef and lots of fish (unfortunately they are used to being fed by snorkelers).

The rest of the snorkeling spots are located in George Town. With Devil's Grotto/Eden Rock being the best, followed by Cheeseburger Reef and wreck of the Cali. Wreck of the Gamma is not so great.

The snorkeling off where you are staying can be OK as well.

Also, past the Northern end of SMB and into West Bay is Turtle Reef off from MacaBuca/Cracked Conch restaurant. OK for a deep water snorkel (really more of a dive site).

The mini-van buses of the #1 Yellow and #2 Lime Green routes run up and down West Bay Road from George town up into West Bay, just flag them down from the side of the road and tell the driver where you want to do. They should know each stop mentioned above. Pay when you are getting off.

Buses will be crowded at rush hours and if there are lots of cruise tourists in port. You can of course carry on your belongings.

I think my simple plan for daily activities will be to snorkel in a.m. near the condo, then go in afternoon by bus to something of more interest; thus avoiding some of the cruise ship crowds.

We are doing sting ray city this year by catamaran on Tuesday and then may make reservations for a 1:30 submarine tour on Thursday. So I'll be squeezing snorkeling in with this.

I see by the photos that Wreck-Gamma is above surface and very near shore.

Oh and I've printed out next week's cruise ship schedule, so I will plan things accordingly.

Thanks again.

Depending upon current direction, I may walk and float in the area of the condo. Please confirm that there is not much for snorkeling immediately north snooze lane.

Not aware of any worthy snorkeling along SMB other than mentioned above. Current is not usually a concern along SMB and depending on ability, you can snorkel towards George Town and then head back towards your condo.