Snorkel trip to Starfish Point and the North Sound

Three stops in one morning or afternoon is the usual shape of it, about three and a half hours on a boat across the North Sound. One is a snorkel over Coral Gardens on the inner barrier reef, only 8 to 10 feet deep, with parrotfish, butterflyfish and angelfish around the coral heads; some boats make everyone wear a life jacket there. Another is the Stingray Sandbar. The last is Starfish Point, a calm, shallow beach near Rum Point and Kaibo where red cushion sea stars lie on the sand. A few are visible from the shallows, but most live on the seagrass just past the drop-off, so a short swim with a mask shows you far more.

The sea stars are a protected species. Gentle handling following the official guidance is tolerated at Starfish Point and nowhere else; the Department of Environment would rather you didn't touch them at all, because rough handling can kill them or drive them off the point. Life vests, masks and fins and soft drinks are normally included. Free pickups usually cover the cruise port and the Seven Mile Beach hotels, on the far side of the island from the East End.