Let's Talk Snorkeling in The Grenadines & Grenada

From the last post which said a lot of the coral is dead in the Tobago cays, I'm interested in where the good snorkeling is. If you would rather PM me the info so the secret doesn't get out or if you think I should just seek locals advice, we can do that too. I've been in the BVI and wasn't overly impressed with snorkeling there with the exception of right behind Marina Cay towards ?thatch? island was very good, and the "new" diamond cay marina along little yost shoreline was also very good. I've also been in Belize a couple of times where the snorkeling was excellent (northern tip of Ambgergris).

Thanks!

Rich

We are here now and the Tobago Cays are probably the best we've seen so far. We haven't stopped at some places that guides recommend but the few places we have tried have not impressed. We aren't doing any diving this trip and I'm thinking we'll enjoy that more. The snorkeling we've done in the BVI has been better - at least from what we've seen so far.

I hardly snorkel at all in the Grenadines. I just don't find anything worth looking at.

The turtles are fun in the Tobago Cays by Petit Rameau, but not for coral or fish life.

I thinking diving would be a better bet, but I just didn't bother the last time I was there.

I'm sure if I had more gumption I could find great snorkelling, ask the locals, they'll know (and probably want to take you there for $$!)

Oops, clarification - the turtles are by Baradel, the Beach BBQ is on Petit Rameau

We found some great snorkelling - mainly fish life at Tobago Cays on the outside of the reef. Can take the dinghy to the edge of the dinghy passage - tie up to one of the buoys on the inside of the reef. Then swim thru the dinghy passage to the outside of the reef. Need to be a strong/confident swimmer and of course watch the currents.
If the wind/waves are too strong then visibility can be a problem.

Bob

I've been to the Cays several times, and it has never been calm enough to dinghy/snorkel in the pass - at least not for me. I've never seen anyone going through there when I have been there - we did ask some of the boat vendors if they could take us to Petit Tabac, and they wouldn't go the days we were there because of the waves/winds.

As always, something more to look forward to!

We definitely felt some strong local currents in the pass, but on the last day we were there it was so calm that I paddled a stand up paddleboard through the waves over the reef (not even through the pass), and I'm a beginner!

Cool! So there is hope to see the pass and snorkel the other side some day!

I really thought I'd get that chance in June compared to October or December, but it was still a no go this time around.

Great snorkeling around Mopion.

Left side of Chatham Bay is nice.

We didn't scratch the surface at the Tobago Cays. Petit Tobac in and around the lagoon is good.

Twanger, do I remember correctly that you had some lat/long coordinates for Miopian? We'll be in that area after Christmas and I would like to check it out.
Thanks

Not Twanger but these are my records

Approaching from the south
Shelfing starts N12 32.655 W61 23.715
Actual Mopion N12 32.768 W61 23.693

Thank You!

We did not anchor the 'mother ship' at Mopion.

We took her over and scoped it out and I just didn't like what I was seeing where they told us you normally anchor.

Sooooooo... we anchored Wind Dancer back at PSV, east of the reef, and took the dink over to Mopion.

I snorkeled all over the place (3 days in Tobago cays) and I didn't find anything I thought was better than the bvi. With that said, Belize wins hands down over bvi.

We did see a lot of neat things though. Octopus, lobster (16 at Mustique on one adventure), neat coral formations, turtles, huge schools of fish, and a large nurse shark.. Pictures soon..

The damage here looks a bit similar to that of the bvi. Hurricanes, global warming, human activity (sunscreen and other boat related releases) may be the causes?

Hmm.. Mopion wasn't that exciting for me. Very pretty though.
We did find a coral wall and with about a 2knot current, floated through there taking pictures. My friend Eric found a lobster hole with 2-3 Lobster in it.

Anchored at PSV on the North side to catch the breeze and then moved to the side between PSV and PM overnight.

I spent seven years running charters in the BVI's and have run down island a dozen times. I believe the BVI's to be pretty darned good snorkeling while the Grenadines are not. You have to work hard to find good stuff there whereas in the VI's good snorkeling can be found all over the place and the ease of access is great. BTW...your list of good BVI sites misses many great snorkels such as the Indians, Mountain Point, Cow Wreck, etc. Have had many guests say the snorkels I took them to were superior to Belize and Cancun.