Is it better to snorkel in Cozumel, Mexico or George Town, Grand Cayman?

Question

Hi,

I'm going on a cruise with my family and we are going to Cozumel, Mexico and George Town, Grand Cayman. Where is it better to snorkel? I always heard that Cozumel was better, but I'm not sure. Also, what else is there to do in these two places? My family consist of 2 parents, 2 teenage boys(one is 16 one is 18) and 2 teenage girls(one is 14 one is 15). Please no tours, because we are afraid that would be boring. Preferably something dealing with a beach or water. Thanks! :)

Answer 1

hey

Answer 2

Grand Cayman is mostly a shopping port. But if you want to go to h**l, take a cab to the city of h**l on Cayman.

You can go swimming  with the  Sting Rays  in Grand Cayman.

Go to a Turtle Farm too...but that's about it.

Cozumel is a family paradise !  

I recommend going to Parque Chankanaab located south of San Miguel. This park offers a combination of history, archeology and recreation. There is excellent snorkeling and diving at the underwater park where you can spot sunken ships, anchors, statues and tons of tropical fish. You can also swim with dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery or find out more about Maya ruins at the Parque Arqueologico. The museum has exhibits on marine life, while the botanical garden has more than 450 species of regional plants. Children of all ages will enjoy the sea lion park and its daily shows.

With the number of people you have going, rent a car, or take a couple of taxi's ( very cheap)

Answer 3

In Grand Cayman, arrange your own tour to swim with the stingrays and make a snorkel stop.  Two good companies are Captain Marvin and Nativeway.  To do some easy, free snorkeling, walk five minutes to the right [as you face the buildings in town, back to the sea] to Eden Roc.

In Coz, Chankanaab Park is great for a group of diverse ages.  They have a website - check it out.  Just grab a cab and go; there will be plenty of cabs to go back to port.

If you go on your own, be sure you leave enough time to get back to the ship [especially in GC, as it's a tender port], because the ship won't wait for you if you're late.

For more info on these ports, go to cruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards", then go to "Ports of Call".  You'll find reliable, current info from experienced cruisers.

Have a great time.

Answer 4

We just returned from a cruise visiting these ports of call..

We did the Boatswain Beach event while in Grand Cayman.  This is a beach club at the Turtle Farm.  It includes a man made salt water lagoon and beach along with a pool and many wildlife exhibits.  It offers a great variety of choices for all ages.  Plus the event is not too long so you have time to shop in Grand Cayman if you like.

I would avoid the excursion that includes the turtle farm, h**l and stingray swim.  This excursion is too long and h**l is really only a convenience store w/$30 t-shirts.

Any of the swims with the stingrays is fun but limited as you are on a boat or in the water.

There are so many things to do in Cozumel.  We enjoyed the Playa Mia Deluxe Beach Break...it is a very nice beach club with a pool, beach, water bikes, paddle boats, snorkeling, a buffet, open bar.  This area also has a few shops, massages, jet skis, parasailing for an extra fee.  This was a good choice beacuse our group had 7 people with all ages.  There was something for everyone!

Answer 5

I reccomend Grand Cayman. The reef is right off of the beach, and it's beautiful!! You can swim with the sting rays, go to a turtle farm, and go shopping downtown. You can also go to the beach. The sand is like powder and it's usually sunny and hot there.

Answer 6

been to both.

Grand Cayman is the BEST!

Hope i helped!

Answer 7

I just came back off of the Valor and went to those two ports of call.

Snorkeling was bad at both places, not sure why. But at Grand Cayman, take Native Way, they take you to Stingray City and to Coral Gardens to snorkel. They also take you to Rum Point were you get lunch, use of the beach, and more snorkeling. This was not boring at all, they even let you drive the boat if you ask. They actually chased a shark and a huge turtle for us to see.

At Cozumel, go to Paradise Beach, for $5, you have use of the beach, rent snorkel equipment, kayaks, the trampoline, and iceberg. All they ask is that you purchase food and beverage. They have clean restrooms, and changing facilities,and for a fee, parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boats. Snorkeling is supposed to be amazing there, but apparently there was a storm (not Bertha) stirring and all of the fish were deeper.

Answer 8

Both ports of call have great Snorkeling.  Grand Cayman has the best beach of the two.  Touring can be fun depending on the tour and the port of call. See my website and the blog that is listed with it below.

Answer 9

Hawaii has some good spots to snorkel