2014-April 15, Tuesday---St. Kitt's (8am-4:30pm):

We slept with the curtains wide open so we'd wake up bright and early.  This was a new island for us and I didn't want to waste time getting out to explore it.  

We were off the ship close to 8am and heading straight to the taxis.  I had read that White House Bay was the best place to snorkel, but the dispatcher said hardly anyone goes there and we'd have to pay more for a taxi to go there.  There happened to be another couple waiting to go snorkeling at Cockelshell Bay which was my 2nd choice, so we decided to share a cab and go there for $7/person.  Our driver even stopped for a couple pictures along the way.  We found out later we could have taken a ferry there, too---maybe next time.
Here we have the Atlantic Ocean on the left and the Caribbean on the right.  

Another bay on the Atlantic side with the Marriott Hotel near the left side of the bay.  I also read that the Marriott sold day passes to their resort for something like $35/person for use of the chairs and pool, but we were looking to go to the Caribbean and snorkel.  

Another view along the way.

   After about a 30 minute drive, we were finally there.  We put our stuff by a pic nic table and took off snorkeling to the left side of the bay.  This may not look that pretty, but for snorkelers, it was just what we were looking for.

 This was towards the right.  Boats were continuously arriving and departing from the dock there.  Had we thought about it, we could have taken a ferry over to Nevis Island from there , which is suppose to have prettier beaches. But we were having too much fun snorkeling.

 Saw lots of marine life and the water was calm and warm (probably about 85 degrees).  We spent about 4 hours snorkeling here.
Snappers and a grouper

sea anemone

damselfish

 a scorpion fish hiding in some coral

I believe this is a Hawksbill turtle.  I've seen lots of Green turtles around Kauai, but this was the first one of these guys I've seen.

One of the colorful starfish we saw.

 a Trumpetfish disguising itself in coral.

 school of tiny fish

looking back towards the beach from the point.

 one of the 2 Bat Rays we saw.

topagraphy by the point.

another type of damselfish which I've never seen before.

The turtle swimming around by the point.

 One of the 3 Sting Rays I saw.

a squid.

a butterflyfish

Even saw a few of these Flamingo Tongue Snails.  I understand they're becoming scarce because people are picking them thinking their shells will remain that color.  But once they die, their shells become colorless.

a small surgeonfish.

????Young lizard fish??

 We did come in a couple times to reapply sunscreen and get a drink.  There was a covered bar with food and drinks for purchase.  So I had to try the local CArib beer---pretty tasty.

 When I had read up about Cockelshell beach, I assumed it was a party beach with a lot of people there.  That wasn't the case when we were there.

We went back out to the point for another go around.
Some interesting marked goatfish.

A very large puffer.

Not sure what this guy is.  We even saw at least 5 lobsters hiding under rocks.

 The couple we arrived with went to the beach to the right of the dock, so I decided to see what they were seeing in that area out, too.
Looking back towards where we had snorkeled.

Looking out to the right of the dock.

 I always wonder why we never see any fish eating another fish when we're snorkeling.  This time I actually happened upon this needle fish trying to eat a damselfish.

 Shortly after this picture, the little fish managed to get free and swim away.

 One more view from above water.

 Our taxi driver had agreed to come back and get us at about 3.  Didn't even charge us for our trip out there to prove to us that he'd be back.  About 2:30 he let a bar owner know he would be late, but was definitely coming back for us.  About 3:15 he called again and said he wasn't making it!  Fortunately, the bar tender called someone else and we got back about 4 (30 whole minutes to spare).  I did find it odd, though, when the bar tender said the first taxi driver told her to collect his fare from us.
Gotta mention the monkeys!  We happened to see 4 or 5 while we were driving to and from the beach.  At the beach, they had 3 or 4 in cages.  This guy was cute to watch with his blankie. 

 Back on the ship, we watched another beautiful sunset, then headed to dinner (stuffed cabbages, caesar salad and soup for me---yummm!).  
Time for another sunset.  Now I have to go all the way out our room and about 20 steps to the Seaview pool area.   There was hardly anyone out there!

 With it being clear on the horizon, I even got to see the green flash tonight!  I've seen them a few times in Hawaii.  This one was especially brilliant.

 Then we went to the Showtime 10pm show and saw Paul Pappas perform on the piano.  Another excellent show.  Then back to our room to see what awaited us there this time.

I'm always a bit anxious when we're going to a new port.  What if all my research was wrong?!  What if this place is a dud!?  But in the end, we had a great time---minus the stress from the taxi driver not coming back for us!  One of the risks you take when you do your own land tours.