Blue Bay Snorkeling

Blue Bay has, without a doubt, the most beautiful snorkeling I have ever experienced.   Not that I have a lot to compare it to, pretty much just Maui beaches (when the waves don't knock you halfway to Tuesday), and one time in a cave in Cuba (how interesting was it to swim around in cold water and look at rocks?  Not very).   But here - OMG here - is amazing.   Here is Blue Bay beach:

This is a horseshoe bay, well protected from the waves, and the water is blue/green and calm.  The fish are everywhere, and at the far end of each rocky point you are literally surrounded by schools of bright yellow, blue and green fish.  There are so many varieties to look at - some odd-looking and shy flat flounders, angel fish, parrot fish and even a very large green eel that fortunately took refuge in a big rock when he saw me.  I was way more afraid of him, but I didn't tell him that.

The best part of all is the high salinity of the ocean here.   It's impossible to drown and you can just skim along the surface endlessly like one of those big water-walking bugs.   If something is interesting below you, you simply stop and float.   You can snorkel for hours and never get tired and never see the same thing twice.  Amazing.  The water is warm, almost tepid, except for the occasional cool ocean current that sneaks through to surprise and refresh you.

When done swimming for the day there is a rudimentary fresh water shower off a small dock.  You have to politely request some foot space from the sun-tanning crabs that are there, but fortunately they are an affable bunch and go skittering off the end of the raft.   Once you are rinsed free of the salt, a shady palapa awaits and if you're lucky, a Presidente beer too. 

Last night there was an impromptu concert on the beach by a Reggae band, a really good one.   There was a small crowd around the bar, not more than about 30 people, mostly European.   There were lots of kids thoroughly enjoying the music and either dancing with abandon or leaping off the edge of the picnic tables (not sure why but this seemed to be a great sport).   It was inky dark and the stars were above us, but far to the west a storm was breaking over the sea and about every 30 seconds lightning blazed the sky.  It was like getting a little glimpse into heaven, just for a second, and then it was gone.  The warmth of the tropical night, the calming beat of the music and the bright golden flashes in a sky so far away made this magical night one that I will definitely file away for the cold Canadian winter ahead.