Best place for snorkeling - Western Caribbean cruise

[cheermom2four]

Opinions on which port to do snorkeling in. We are choosing to not do exhausting excursions at every port but dont want to miss out on the best location to choose a snorkeling excursion. It will be DH and I and our DS16. We will more than likely leave our DD5 on board even though she will be old enough to do "some" of the snorkeling excursions thru DCL but DH or I would have to hold her even with a vest on as she would freak out in the open waters. We will stop in Cozumel (I was thinking this port), Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. We already know we will just walk around the port in Jamaica or possibly do a food tour. We are not considering CC for an excursion as we love to just relax and do our own thing there

 

[dcassetta]

I enjoy Chankanaab Park in Cozumel. They have off-beach snorkeling if your daughter would like to try it.

 

[JimGA]

We just did the snorkeling in Grand Cayman and loved it. The snorkeling is done actually pretty close to the shore, about a 5 min boat ride. Close to the shore and all the ships in port in the background. We did it through DCL the Reef and Shunken ship excursion, it was fantastic, our kids are 11 and 14 and they loved it. Calm waters the day we were there.

 

[85glht]

All of these ports will offer a snorkeling tour..... Even the snorkeling at Castaway Cay is pretty good.

With that said, if none of the Port Adventures choices aren't to your liking other than a snorkeling tour, then do the snorkeling tour at that port. I hope this helps you

 

[cheermom2four]

Thanks for the replies from all of you! I was just wondering if one port was better than the other for snorkeling as we have a great underwater digital camera we wanted to take again and get really good pics. Guess we could do snorkeling on both in GC and Cozumel but I was trying to avoid leaving my dd5 in the kids club both days.

 

[85glht]

I don't think you can go wrong at either port. Usually they are a half day adventure and then you can explore the shopping areas afterward.

Make sure you do the snorkeling at Catsaway Cay!! A few good underwater photo ops there!

 

[wjs3]

If I can get you to rethink Castaway Cay...

When the weather is good, the snorkeling inside the lagoon is really, really, really good. It's not like a giant reef in the Abacos good, but it's pretty good. There are statues and fish havens to see, plenty of fish (especially farther out) and the water is never more than 8-10 feet deep. It's enclosed in a lagoon, there are lifeguards...you have to wear a vest (that you don't have to inflate, but can)...I would think all of these things would make it appealing for your 5 Year old if she's a bit nervous.

You don't have to do it as an excursion. So you can walk around as you say and then whenever you're ready, wade n and snorkel. You can either bring your own snorkels or rent. So it's not really an excursion.

If you don't want to do this, I had a really nice time in Grand Cayman. We chartered a boat and did a snorkel dive in a marine sanctuary just aroud the corner form Stingray City. it was a zoo at Stingray City (we could see it in the distance), but private where we were. Pretty nice coral heads, great visibility, protected...

 

[scubamomma]

My husband and I have been scuba diving at both Cozumel and Grand Cayman many times. I think either one would be a good choice. We are also taking the Western 7-day this Fall and plan on snorkeling with our DDs 11 and 7 at both ports. Grand Cayman will include a stop at Stingray City for an amazing experience. I am looking at a non-DCL excursion that stops at two other places and Stingray City. Not sure how "open ocean" the other stops will be. Cozumel will be at Chankanaab National Park. It's just a short cab ride away from the pier so no age limit plays into the day. All the snorkeling at Chankanaab will be from the shore and roped off so you can't go out too far. Similar set up to CC. Maybe your DD would be comfortable with that option. I do remember they staged some things within the snorkeling area to see in addition to the fish. The Park has a ton of things to do in case she doesn't want to snorkel. Google Chankanaab for their website. Have a great trip!!

 

[cheermom2four]

If I can get you to rethink Castaway Cay...

Guess I should've said we didnt want to go on a paid excursion on CC. We purchased our own snorkel set (I am a germaphobe ) and definitely want to find the hidden mickey!!

Now I'm wanting to do the snorkeling at GC, Cozumel, and CC due to all the feedback~ LOL I may just take dd who is currently 4 and turns 5 the first sea day on the ship and have her just get used to snorkeling. She already loves using her swim goggles, I just think the trying to breath in a tube that sticks out of the water might be difficult for her to grasp. I was really wanting to try the Fury Catamaran in Cozumel and the shipwreck and reef snorkel in GC. Just dont want to tire her out too much.

 

[21stamps]

Guess I should've said we didnt want to go on a paid excursion on CC. We purchased our own snorkel set (I am a germaphobe ) and definitely want to find the hidden mickey!!

Now I'm wanting to do the snorkeling at GC, Cozumel, and CC due to all the feedback~ LOL I may just take dd who is currently 4 and turns 5 the first sea day on the ship and have her just get used to snorkeling. She already loves using her swim goggles, I just think the trying to breath in a tube that sticks out of the water might be difficult for her to grasp. I was really wanting to try the Fury Catamaran in Cozumel and the shipwreck and reef snorkel in GC. Just dont want to tire her out too much.

Definitely take her. My son snorkeled just after turning 5 in Key West and did great! Practice with her beforehand so she can get the breathing down and she will be fine.
I think she will be too excited to get too tired out from it!

 

[85glht]

Guess I should've said we didnt want to go on a paid excursion on CC. We purchased our own snorkel set (I am a germaphobe ) and definitely want to find the hidden mickey!!

Now I'm wanting to do the snorkeling at GC, Cozumel, and CC due to all the feedback~ LOL I may just take dd who is currently 4 and turns 5 the first sea day on the ship and have her just get used to snorkeling. She already loves using her swim goggles, I just think the trying to breath in a tube that sticks out of the water might be difficult for her to grasp. I was really wanting to try the Fury Catamaran in Cozumel and the shipwreck and reef snorkel in GC. Just dont want to tire her out too much.

Castaway Cay is at your leisure. One stipulation is you MUST wear a vest.

The hidden Mickey is pretty far out.... wherever there is a yellow (or are they orange) bouy, that is a point of interest under the water.

By the way, don't under estimate your kid.... She may surprise you with the breathing apparatus. Have fun on your trip!