Snorkeling in Grand Cayman and Cozumel?

Question

My girlfriend and I are going on a summer cruise to Grand Cayman Islands and Cozumel this summer. We have recently just purchased snorkeling gear for both of us and are planning on doing our own trip. We chose to go this route rather than booking a shore excursion 1) becuase the price and 2) because I've heard the groups are just HUGE!! So my question is are there place to snorkel just off the terminals if so how close and could you give them to me by name so I can research the areas and how close they are to the boat. Thanks for the infomation.

Answer 1

Eden Roc is supposed to be great, especially for novices.  It is literally a five-minute walk from where the tender lands.  With your back to the ocean, you would walk to your right.  You'll see the benches and a bar/restaurant there.  It's a rocky entry, of course, but it's supposed to be pretty good.

You might want to consider booking a trip independently that goes to Stingray City, etc.  Captain Marvin and Nativeway are both well-thought-of companies [I've used both - preferred the latter].  Nativeway has a trip that goes to SC, then a reef for snorkeling, then to Rum Point - beautiful!!  The only problem I had with them was that we were running late getting back to the dock [someone had left something at RP and we went back to retrieve it] and we got the last tender back to the ship.  When you go on your own you MUST be sure and get back to the ship on time, because if you are late they will not wait for you unless you are with a ship's tour.

In Cozumel, Chankanaab Park is a good spot.  Dzul Ha [it may be called something else now] is just north of there and is supposed to be very good for snorkeling, also.  It's very easy to go on your own in Coz; just get a cab and go!  If you go as early as possible, the crowds will be smaller.  CP has a website.

For some really great tips from experienced cruisers, go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards" at the top of the page, then "Ports of Call", then your ports.  The info is reliable and if you don't find an answer, you can post your question.  You will have to "join" to post, but it's free.

Another site with info about Coz is cozumelinsider.com.  There's also a good site for Cayman, but I can't remember the URL off the top of my head.  If you do a search, I'm sure many will come up.

Have a great cruise!

Answer 2

Eden Rock is just a 5 min walk to the right from the ship terminals.  I snorkeled there last December (from an RCL cruise) and it was very good. The cruise ships in the background actually made for nice photos when we were on the surface.

Answer 3

Someone's mentioned Eden Rock and if you care to walk a mile or so further along the road you'll get to gorgeous little Smith Cove. It is a good idea to get some squeezy cheese to attract the fishes to you -- they'll come swarming around if you squirt it (or even if they merely spot the canister!) Alternatively, you can take a local bus (it will hoot at you to get on) and travel up the length of Seven Mile Beach and try snorkelling there.

There was a marked reduction in the richness of sea life following the arrival of the cruise ships, so I would advise getting away from where the ships are docked.