Community Forum

*Andrea J.* · 01-14-2010, 07:31 PM

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/Aruba/index.htm
(this is Lisa's)

and it is about 2 miles (maybe less) beyond the hi rise area
ON the bus route!

*Arubalisa* · 01-14-2010, 08:19 PM

I have a description and photos of the area at http://www.arubabound.com/dive/snorkeling.htm

If you are not agile and coordinated, like me

, I suggest entering at Boca Catalina. There are a bunch of rocks

Catalina Cove

at the entry at Catalina Cove.

sandy · 01-15-2010, 07:07 AM

How easy is Catalina Cove for kids to snorkel? Is there a lot to see in shallow water? Are the waves calm? Are there things to avoid stepping on? Our kids are 7 and 10, and able to snorkel in easy water. Thanks.

*Andrea J.* · 01-15-2010, 07:40 AM

there CAN be waves and some current.
that being said, i have snorkeled there maybe 10 times and have only had it rough once and i was becoming seasick so i got out.

as lisa says entry to catalina cove is difficult with the rocks OUCH!
the places in that cove where i was snorkeling were not more than 8'-12' deep.

you kids can snorkel in "easy water"......i would not rate this "easy" but a little bit more difficult than easy. it is worth a try imo. try moving south a bit to the easier entry spot "boca catalina".

and for the all time "easy kid friendly snorkel" there is Baby Beach about a half hour in the other direction than Boca Catalina.
go on a weekday!
andrea

*Arubalisa* · 01-15-2010, 10:32 AM

Catalina Cove is fairly shallow but a difficult entry.

If the kids enter at Boca Catalina, like Andrea said, there are no waves. We have seen many Arubans swimming here with their young children.

Boca Catalina

The photo below was taken between BC and CC.

I have also seen them in the sandy entry area at BC. For extreme novices, seeing the bait fish and the pompano will be a thrill in itself. I also saw two starfish here on the sandy bottom in December. It will take some time for the kids to grow accustomed to wearing the mask on their face and breathing through the snorkel.

If parents are good swimmers and experienced snorkelers, you can swim hand and hand towards the north.

01-14-2010, 07:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,254 Images: 80	http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/ABC/Aruba/index.htm (this is Lisa's) and it is about 2 miles (maybe less) beyond the hi rise area ON the bus route! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

01-14-2010, 08:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,683 Images: 174	I have a description and photos of the area at http://www.arubabound.com/dive/snorkeling.htm If you are not agile and coordinated, like me , I suggest entering at Boca Catalina. There are a bunch of rocks Catalina Cove at the entry at Catalina Cove. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

01-15-2010, 07:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
sandy Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 90	One more Catalina Cove question! How easy is Catalina Cove for kids to snorkel? Is there a lot to see in shallow water? Are the waves calm? Are there things to avoid stepping on? Our kids are 7 and 10, and able to snorkel in easy water. Thanks. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

01-15-2010, 07:40 AM	#14 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,254 Images: 80	there CAN be waves and some current. that being said, i have snorkeled there maybe 10 times and have only had it rough once and i was becoming seasick so i got out. as lisa says entry to catalina cove is difficult with the rocks OUCH! the places in that cove where i was snorkeling were not more than 8'-12' deep. you kids can snorkel in "easy water"......i would not rate this "easy" but a little bit more difficult than easy. it is worth a try imo. try moving south a bit to the easier entry spot "boca catalina". and for the all time "easy kid friendly snorkel" there is Baby Beach about a half hour in the other direction than Boca Catalina. go on a weekday! andrea Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

01-15-2010, 10:32 AM	#15 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,683 Images: 174	Catalina Cove is fairly shallow but a difficult entry. If the kids enter at Boca Catalina, like Andrea said, there are no waves. We have seen many Arubans swimming here with their young children. Boca Catalina The photo below was taken between BC and CC. I have also seen them in the sandy entry area at BC. For extreme novices, seeing the bait fish and the pompano will be a thrill in itself. I also saw two starfish here on the sandy bottom in December. It will take some time for the kids to grow accustomed to wearing the mask on their face and breathing through the snorkel. If parents are good swimmers and experienced snorkelers, you can swim hand and hand towards the north. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba Last edited by Arubalisa; 05-24-2010 at 10:23 PM.