Catalina Island, Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic

(Celebrity Cruises Private Island)

Ship: Millennium (Celebrity Cruises)

Sailing Date: December 29^th, 2002

Date of Snorkel: January 1^st, 2003

Equipment Availability: we have our own which we take with us, but snorkels, masks and fins (no vests) can be rented for $8 at the tendering pier adjacent to the snorkeling area.

Water Access: Off the Beach

Snorkeling at this site was not particularly good.  The trick is to get into the water early, before other snorkelers or swimmers (and the tenders) have stirred up the water and obscured visibility.

The beach area is very large and well equipped with both beach chairs and umbrellas.  We chose a shady spot under the trees on the far side of the beach just above the snorkeling area for our gear.  The beach front is also very large, but they have roped off an area to separate it clearly just for snorkelers.  Unfortunately, they make no effort to keep the swimmers out of the way, and it is very close to the tender pier.  Visibility was terrific for our morning swim, but deteriorated rapidly into the early afternoon.   

The reef front along the side of the snorkeling area is extensive, but the corals were poorly developed and not very colorful.  We saw a good variety of fish—especially a lot of Trumpet Fish—but nothing out of the ordinary.  Photographic opportunities were good, but the light over the snorkeling area was better in the afternoon just as the visibility was getting much worse.   

Best advice at this site is to swim out beyond the wooden raft at the far end of the snorkeling area and work your way back against the current.

Snorkeling Grade: C+