Moliniere Point (“Rhum Runner Snorkel”)

Ship’s Excursion out of St. George’s, Grenada

Ship: Norwegian Spirit (NCL)

Sailing Date: December 21, 2006

Date of Snorkel: December 27, 2006

Equipment Availability: we have our own which we take with us, but equipment is available on board the boat and included in the price of the excursion.  The equipment for loan was old and not well maintained.  It was not sanitary either--they rinsed it in fresh water, but no bleach or other sterilizing solution.

Water Access: Snorkeling Boat. BE WARNED: there is no ladder extending down into the water from any of the water access platforms off this vessel, which makes getting out of the water very tricky, especially for large people.

Given the ravages to Grenada by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, we did not elect a snorkeling excursion here on our first visit off the Norwegian Dawn during our winter cruise in December of that same year.  We had heard that the devastation to the reef and fish population was substantial, so we did a land tour of the island instead, mostly focusing on their nutmeg spice production facilities.  Consequently, this was our first opportunity to snorkel off this particular island.  We were delighted to discover that this is clearly one of the premier snorkeling sites in this part of the Caribbean!

The Rhum Runner is basically a double decker barge, with an old fashioned dark wood planked deck. Shade was plentiful on the lower deck.  She is well equipped with a bar, toilet facilities and a loud speaker system.  Water and juice are available for sale on the 45 minute ride to Moliniere Point, with beer, rum punch and juices available for a nominal fee on the way back to the ship. We were picked up and dropped off right next to the ship, avoiding the obligatory taxi or bus ride at other ports.  Be sure not to miss the terrific array of shops in Grenada’s new (as of December 2005) port terminal building.

The Rhum Runner dropped anchor in 25 feet of water just off Moliniere Point.  From there we swam about 50 yards into the shallows to see the fish.  Visibility at this site was excellent, and remained excellent throughout the morning despite the large number of fellow snorkelers in the water with us.  Shallow water predominates, especially in an area referred to as “the shelf” ranging from only 2 or 3 feet to about 10 feet deep.  The corals are well developed but surprisingly lacking in vibrant color, perhaps due to their stage of recovery from the hurricane.  The fish population is incredibly varied with a large quantity of individual animals in each species.  We saw Trumpet fish, Parrot fish of several varieties, Grunts, Jacks, Goat Fish, Damselfish of many varieties, Smooth Trunk Fish, Tang, Doctor fish and a wide array of Butterfly fish.   Only Angel fish were missing, although we were told that there were some perhaps “hanging out” farther into the bay area.  The current at the site is quite strong, but the crew of the Rhum Runner (all of whom got into the water with us) were particularly attentive to children in our party who might be having trouble being pushed around by the waves.   Photographic opportunities were numerous—and we took full advantage of them, returning to the ship with over 250 shots!

Music and good cheer abounded on our return sail back to the ship, including a limbo contest, which delighted all of the children on the boat, who were encouraged to join in.  One particularly wiggly lady won a free bottle of rum punch, only to have it confiscated by NCL security for return to her at the end of the cruise back in NYC.

Snorkeling Grade: A+