Best snorkeling excursions in Cayman/Cozumel?

[BeanoC]

Looking at the varioius snorkeling excursions offered on the western cruise, I am having a hard time figuring out which one(s) would be best for myself and 12 y.o. DS. He loves to snorkel so I want to take him on the best excursions I can. However, I'd rather not subject him to long rides on a small boat just to get to the snorkeling. He would be so bored by that.

So my questions are:

Which has the better snorkeling waters, Cayman or Cozumel?

Which excursions are more "kid friendly"?

Which ones give you the most time in the water and the most interesting sea life?

THANKS!!!!!



'Beano'

 

[hokie5cruiser]

We were on the Western on 6-22 and did our own. It was very easy and a lot less expensive.There were 5 of us, DH,self, DS's-12-12-8. We have our own snorkel gear, about $20 at Wal-Mart, Target, and Costco.
On Cayman, after tendering to the dock, there were cab drivers waiting in line. I think it was $3 each plus tip.You will want to go to seven mile beach. All the beaches are public, but the chairs are reserved for guests of the resorts. My parents went to the Holiday Inn and said it was great. We went to the Marriot at the suggestion of the cab driver. We ended up walking three resorts towards the ship and putting our stuff on a brick wall on the beach. Swam right out and saw some great fish of various types and lots of coral. You will need to swim out a little until you reach rocks and coral, because that is where the fish are. We snorkeled for about two hours and then decided to go back to the ship. since we were on our own, we did not have to wait for anyone.
We walked back, but it was a little bit of a hike in the heat. You could catch a cab at any of the resorts. We tendered back to the boat, left the eqip in the cabin, rinsed off at the pool to cool down. We hit Pluto's for a quick lunch, and left the kids on board with my sister so that DH and I could shop for Rum Cakes and Rum. Very easy. Cost of excursion for five: $17 cab ride with tip.

Cozumel was even easier. Chanaknaab Park.(sp)Go to the cab line to the left when you get off the pier. Ignore the vendors trying to sell you excursions. Take a $10 cab to Chankanaab Park(up to 4 people). Admission at the gate is $10pp,children 7 and under free. Once inside, follow the maps to the beach and go towards the end were there are less people. There are plenty of chairs and some shady palm trees (earlier the better). There are steps cut into the sea wall to get into the water. The best snorkeling is close to the wall and reefs. There were almost as many fish as Cayman. After snorkeling, you can explore the park and see Iguanas, Indian relics (some fake), and get a snack or beverage at the many stands. If you explore the jungle, you may want bug spray. There is a dolphin swim, but we did not look into it. There is also a performing dolphin/seal show for an additional fee. When you are done exploring, walk to the main entrance and a cab will be lined up to take you back for $10. After dropping equipment in the room, we ate a snack and went into Cozumel to shop.Cost of excursion for five:$64 (they let in 8yo for free)
Enjoy your cruise-whatever you decide.

 

[BeanoC]

Great info - thanks!!

I have no hesitation about doing things on our own. We did that last year in St. Thomas, and though it had sounded complicated, we had no trouble getting to Trunk Bay on our own. I'd rather do it that way as opposed to being herded along with all the other people, then have to conform to their time frame!

Anyone else??



'Beano'

 

[mcnuss]

I am 100% with you Beano. I am having a hard enough time adjusting to the thought of 2500+ people on the ship, nevertheless being herded into group excursions. We are planning both KW and Cozumel on our own (my DB has done Chankanaab on his own and highly recommended it). We have booked a sailing excursion on GC. I doubt we will book any of DCL's; they are just too pricey for me and I'd rather move at my own pace. From reading these boards, it seems like it's easy to get caught up in "rush rush gotta do everthing" mentality. Me? I wanna vacation from that!!

 

[Wavegirl]

Cayman is the easiest snorkeling if you know where to go. There are great spots right in George Town but no one really tells you this as they want you to pay for the trips If you want easy, you can walk two minutes to Paradise Bar and Grill and they have a ladder to get in right there. They rent equipment too. You don't even have to swim out to see marine life. Incredible Tarpon, silversides and diverse fish and the occational turtle. There is also a wreck dive right in town, maybe a 5 minute walk the other way. Seven Mile Beach is an amazing beach but you have to swim out so far for snorkeling.

Abanks Water Sports at Paradise

Good Cayman Snorkeling Spots-the ones in George Town are walking distance

Post snorkel I recommend a Mudslide or Cayman Sunset at Paradise Yummy...its like a leathal mocha milkshake....Good lunches too but I prefer the drinks

Cheers!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

We have also gone to Chankannab State Park on our own and loved it. Iti s suppose to be one of the best places to snorkel. The only thing I didn't like were people were feeding the fish and I got a little freaked out by the feeding frenzy. We also saw a barracuda. We were told they don't attack unless they feel threatened. I decided since I couldn't read it's mind I would get out of the water until it left. My hubby thought it was funny. The Park is very beautiful. next time I go I am going to to spend the day, instead of a few hours there. The cab driver even stopped for us on the way back to buy some blankets and souvenirs from a vendor on the side of the road.

 

[Tluvs2talk]

I found this link for Chankannab State Park. Hope it helps.

http://www.cozguide.net/chankan.html