My wife and I cruise in January and one of our stops is Roatan Island.  I've heard this is some of the best snorkeling there is.  My problem: picking one.  I've heard a lot of people talk about Tabayna Beach and how the snorkeling is right off shore, but I've been told you have to rent snorkel equipment-by the hour- and it usually runs out early. (we dont' own equipment to bring either and would rather not spend $$$ on buying it just for this stop)  Also I've been told the beach there is crowded.  But we are mainly looking at this stop as a snorkeling stop. 

The other snorkeling we are looking at is Jolly Roger Cataraman.  Has anyone done this?  Is the area they take you to a good reef with lot's of fish/marinelife to see?  I know it comes with a tour of the nature park afterwards and that's a extra bonus, but we're mainly interested in snorkeling and this one sounds good as equipment is provided.  Anyone know how long you get to snorkel?  

Any help and/or pictures would be great!!!  Last time we snorkeled it was at Grand Turk and was a total let down so we are hoping to see some real marine life and coral this time!

My husband and I were just at Tabayana Beach the beginning of Sept. The snorkeling there is unbelieveable. I had actually scheduled this as our "down" day calling it a beach day and scheduled snorkeling excursions for the other 3 ports and we saw more at this beach than we did anywhere else. Cozumel was a close 2nd but with the excursions they only let you snorkel for approx. 45 minutes and then they take you to a private beach, which is nice but we wanted to snorkel. We actually bought a mask and snorkel at scuba.com before we left. You really don't need the flippers, especially if you are going right off the beach. You also don't have to spend alot of money. I'm always a little leary about the way they disinfect the equipment they rent. I'm sure whichever location you pick you'll have a nice time..the sea life in Honduras is terrific. Have fun!!

We also went to Tabayna Beach and it was great snorkling.  If

I remember correctly we could use the snorkle equipment as

long as we were there.  We had to give them our room key and

a picture ID.  I think it was only $7.00.  It was May 2008 so it may

have changed.  The best snorkling was in Belize.  They have the

2nd largest Barrier Reef.  Have fun

cruisefan99:

My wife and I cruise in January and one of our stops is Roatan Island.  I've heard this is some of the best snorkeling there is.  My problem: picking one.  I've heard a lot of people talk about Tabayna Beach and how the snorkeling is right off shore, but I've been told you have to rent snorkel equipment-by the hour- and it usually runs out early. (we dont' own equipment to bring either and would rather not spend $$$ on buying it just for this stop)  Also I've been told the beach there is crowded.  But we are mainly looking at this stop as a snorkeling stop. 

We just got back from Tabyana Beach and the snorkel equipment is $15 for the entire time you are there.  The snorkeling is well worth the cost because it was awesome.

Hi you wrote that snorkeling in Belize is really good.... we are on the valor next week and stop in Belize.....what excursion did you do or what outfit did you go with for snorkeling.... any advice would surely be appreciated.

We took the Jolly Roger excursion on our last cruise and loved it.  The water was a little rough and he went to several areas so we would have the best chance of seeing marine life.  We then went to the park and it was very nice.  We are planning to di this excursion again this year.

 MY HUBAND AND I WENT ON THE JOLLY RODGER CATARAMAN AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME.  THE SNORKELING WAS GREAT AND WE DIDN'T HAVE TO TAKE SUCH LONG BOAT RIDE TO GET THERE., NOT SURE HOW LONG WE SNORKELED BUT IT WAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CREW WAS VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL , AND THE PARK WAS VERY NICE , THE MONKEYS WERE ESSPECIALY FUN BUT BE CAREFUL IF YOU HAVE A BOTTLE OF SODA BECAUSE THEY ALL WANT IT. WE THOUGHT THAT ROTAN WAS BEAUTIFUL AND NOT SO COMMERICAL . HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL TRIP

Hi  Cruisefan99.  I just wanted to let you know that my boyfriend and I went to Roatan in March on the Legend and we LOVED it there.  We did the Catamaran/Snorkling, and we had so much fun!  The group that took us out on the catamaran was sooo friendly, and they made sure everyone was comfortable and having a good time!  We saw a few stingrays and the water was just beautiful!  They also had a great lunch buffett on the catamaran and $1.00 beers!  When we got back on our cruise ship we talked about our next vacation and how we want to spend the whole time on Roatan!  Good Luck and have fun!!

I have never been there, but we went snorkling in Grand Cayman and really enjoyed it! We did buy our own equipment (snorkles and mask) Spent maybe $50.00 for two good pair! I am just a little leary of putting something in my mouth that has been used by so many people! So I took my own now I have it to use on every cruise! Like The Bahama's in 14 Days! Whatever you decide you willl have a blast! Happy Cruising All!

we've decided on the jolly roger at roatan- sounds fun.  we did go ahead and buy a snorkel and mask set for each of us- found them real cheap on clearance- up here in the midwest it's out of season by september.  we plan to take it with us and plan to just snorkel on our own in grand cayman- ROCKNCNTRY- where at in grand cayman did you snorkel?  we planned to just walk up and down from the terminal area and hit places like eden rock and wreck of the cali area and burger reef- these any good? i've seen online these are public access areas right off the sidewalk/side of the road areas and doesn't cost anything