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Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? #273968
01/22/2022 12:07 PM
01/22/2022 12:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 47
Midwest
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TechieTechie Offline OP
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TechieTechie  Offline OP
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Joined: Sep 2015
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Midwest
Getting into the final stages of planning for an ad-hoc late Feb BVI vacation...I'm a injury plagued diver so probably best to limit my water time on this trip to snorkeling (very strong collegiate swimmer). I know VG has good snorkeling and I love the island (I could never get enough of Leverick's Roti :)) , but villa availability (and curiosity) has me focusing on Tortola.

Are there good onshore snorkeling spots in Tortola that aren't overrun with pod people? Don't mind rocky entries (have my diving boots and fins) and happy to have ideas PMed to me if you prefer not to give up your secret spot. I will definitely be booking a boat charter (or 2) to go to the Normans, Indians, etc...as I enjoyed those trips in the past. But days spent driving (top down, natch) or wading out to/fro a quiet snorkeling spot (broken up by a shaded lunch break) is pretty much my idea of nirvana.

Thanks!
Techie

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Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #273971
01/22/2022 01:59 PM
01/22/2022 01:59 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,421
New Jersey, USA
DanS Offline
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DanS  Offline
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Posts: 1,421
New Jersey, USA
It's been a long time, but I enjoyed snorkeling the reef at Cane Garden Bay. Even when the beach was crowded, very few people went out to the reef, possibly because it's a bit of a swim.

Shortest distance to the reef is from the extreme southern end of the beach, but it's rocky there. It's an easier, sandy entry/exit if you move a bit away from the end, but then the swim is a little further.

I went out solo, but that probably wasn't a great idea. It's some distance from shore, and you never know what can happen.

Dan cheers

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: DanS] #273976
01/22/2022 02:27 PM
01/22/2022 02:27 PM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 47
Midwest
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TechieTechie Offline OP
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TechieTechie  Offline OP
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Thanks Dan. If I know I'll be a ways from shore, I make sure to wear a very brightly colored rash shirt and often tie on an inflatable sausage. Honestly, I should grab my PLB, but I think it's buried in 'boat bins' in my garage.

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #273979
01/22/2022 02:57 PM
01/22/2022 02:57 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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GeorgeC1  Offline
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Head to Brewers Bay just East of Cane Garden Bay. It has a easy beach entry and good snorkeling over a large reef area.

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #273980
01/22/2022 04:31 PM
01/22/2022 04:31 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,896
NC
Fran Offline
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Fran  Offline
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NC
It's been years but I second George's answer.


[color:"red"]FRAN[/color] "Yes I am a pirate, 200 years too late"
[Linked Image]
Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #273982
01/22/2022 05:04 PM
01/22/2022 05:04 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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Manpot  Offline
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Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
The reef at Smuggler's Cove is an easy snorkel from the beach although it gets shallow as you go further out. I second CGB.The west end of the beach enter the water by CGB Beach House and its quite good and easy. In the summertime the point at Little Apple Bay is worth checking out and, for the more adventurous, the reef and the reef in front of where Bomba's used to be.

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #273989
01/22/2022 06:39 PM
01/22/2022 06:39 PM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
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Husker Offline
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Husker  Offline
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Diamond Reef is one of my faves. Accessible from Tortola if you can grab a shuttle from Trellis Bay to Scrub, then swim, SUP or kayak over....the reef starts about 200 yards from the Scrub Island marina.

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: Husker] #273997
01/22/2022 09:00 PM
01/22/2022 09:00 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline
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MrEZgoin  Offline
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Redmond, WA
Originally Posted by Husker
Diamond Reef is one of my faves. Accessible from Tortola if you can grab a shuttle from Trellis Bay to Scrub, then swim, SUP or kayak over....the reef starts about 200 yards from the Scrub Island marina.


Check the current before committing to the swimming option :-)


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #274003
01/22/2022 11:26 PM
01/22/2022 11:26 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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GeorgeC1  Offline
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GA/NC
Lots of boat traffic near Diamond reef. Be careful!
G

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #274025
01/23/2022 11:03 AM
01/23/2022 11:03 AM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 47
Midwest
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TechieTechie Offline OP
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TechieTechie  Offline OP
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Probably would avoid Diamond Reef going solo (not keen about being swept out to sea)....but I love the other suggestions. smile

Manpot, curious why Bomba is for the adventurous? Is it just because one has to hike/swim in...or because of potentially dangerous surge/current situations?

Thank you all for the suggestions.

Last edited by TechieTechie; 01/23/2022 11:05 AM.
Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #274038
01/23/2022 01:28 PM
01/23/2022 01:28 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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Manpot  Offline
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Tortola/ Sonoma, California
I was referring to the reef further west on the bay , basically in front of my place. Its just further out and very doable with no surf Bombas is easy entry just to the east of where the shack used to be..concrete pilings now..

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: Manpot] #274042
01/23/2022 02:30 PM
01/23/2022 02:30 PM
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TechieTechie Offline OP
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Thank you. I'm a strong swimmer so I don't mind distance as long as there is little risk of current or riptides sweeping me out to sea smile

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #274045
01/23/2022 02:59 PM
01/23/2022 02:59 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
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RatmansWife Offline
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RatmansWife  Offline
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Memphis, BVI, CT
Can you operate a motor boat? You might take a look at Great Camanoe, home of Diamond Reef. The houses come with dinghies, and it's easy striking distance to Guana and other good snorkeling spots.

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: RatmansWife] #274051
01/23/2022 05:18 PM
01/23/2022 05:18 PM
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Posts: 47
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TechieTechie Offline OP
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I can...I have a 26 ft Cobalt at home. But Camanoe doesn't have a good selection of small villas.

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #274053
01/23/2022 07:12 PM
01/23/2022 07:12 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 73
CT USA
mcrofutt Offline
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I'll second Manpot's west end of Little Apple Bay is great. The area off of Bomba's (is it even there?) is also good when the swell is down and there's no surfing. Frenchman's Cay, go to the resort, park by the tennis courts, and enter thru their beach area, go to the left, you can go around the point and exit on their little pier. Keep in mind, the last time I was there was 2017 so the hurricane may have changed some things. The other end of the island, Long Bay East has great snorkeling at the west end. Josiah's Bay go out to the right and follow the coast. Back to west end, at Smugglers the reef right there is pretty beat, by there's still plenty of fish around on a good day. If you head towards the point to the right there's a lot of interesting areas. God, I miss Tortola. Can't wait to get back.

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: TechieTechie] #274060
01/24/2022 07:30 AM
01/24/2022 07:30 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
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RatmansWife Offline
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Techie, sent you a pm.

Re: Onshore snorkeling on Tortola? [Re: RatmansWife] #274067
01/24/2022 09:50 AM
01/24/2022 09:50 AM
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Posts: 47
Midwest
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TechieTechie Offline OP
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TechieTechie  Offline OP
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Originally Posted by RatmansWife
Techie, sent you a pm.


RatmansWife, read and returned PM. Thanks smile


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