Snorkeling with kids

[misty9960]

Where is the best excursion for snorkeling with kids? They are 10 & 7. Is this so much fun that you might want to do it more than once in a different port? Has anyone ever seen a shark? This is our firs cruise. Thanks!

 

[jrabbit]

OK you're going on the western cruise...

We enjoy snorkeling. THat's what we do on the cruise. DS started snorkeling when he was 9 (at Castaway Cay - great place to learn how to snorkle - pretty protected).

In Key West we did the Key West Cat Sail and Snorkel. The waves were a little big and rough and it took us all a little while to get the hang of snorkeling in that rough of water (lots of waves into the snorkel). I would not recommend this for beginning snorkelers. I don't see anyother DCL excursions where your entire family can go snorkeling.

In Grand Caymen we did the Shipwreck and Reef snorkel. You snorkel in the harbor where the Magic anchors. The water was way, way calm. Great place to learn how to snorkel. The people were great in helping everyone. There are two stops, the first over a shipwreck and the second in a series of coral reefs. Great excursion!!!

Cozumel is supposed to have very good snorkeling, but we decided for just a beach day after the other two days snorkeling. Others have reported on great snorkeling adventures here. I wouldn't go to Xcaret with beginning snorkelers.

 

[hydster]

If you are going on the W. cruise Cozumel has Chankanaab Park which is really good for snorkeling. Our kids LOVED snorkeling there and they were a little younger than your kids. The water is really clear and the beach is really nice. I found a webshot community picture album of Chankanaab and it might give you an idea of what to expect.

http://community.webshots.com/album/52981765KgcITt/0

Grand Cayman we did 7 mile Beach and it was nice. Nice beach entry where you can slowly get the hang of snorkeling.

Castaway Cay is also an excellent place to snorkel! Easy beach entry as well and the water is calmer than in the ocean itself.

HTH
Heidi

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

I saw a shark in Cozumel. He was not very big (2 ft?) and very well camoflaged, just sitting on the coral. It was really neat and not scary at all. The dive guy had to swim down and get him to move or we never would have noticed him.

This is not on your itinerary, but we will be taking our kids to the Blue Lagoon in Nassau in a few weeks. There is a nice protected lagoon where I plan to teach my DD 11 and DS 6 how to snorkel. It should be a really good starting place.