Carnival cruise to Catalina

[Schmat]

My husband and I are taking our daughter on her first cruise in September 2014 to Catalina Island and are looking for inexpensive fun. We would like to avoid paying for an excursion. My daughter will be 11 and wants to snorkel. We have our own wet suits and snorkel gear. Does anyone know if there's any place, close to the ship, we can do this ?

[SadieN]

Google still works!:)

 

http://www.catalinasnorkelscuba.com/lovers-cove.php

 

Also, there is an easy looking, sinister minigolf course behind the golf cart rental places.

 

Lloyd's for taffy.

[edmusic]

We were there on Feb 6th and found a spot behind the Casino. There was a trailer offering rental gear, but I think anyone could walk down the concrete steps into the kelp beds. There were a few people snorkeling and scuba diving, but I'm not sure if the access to the water is public or not. It looked like it should be. Here are some photos of the area behind the Casino building.

Edited February 22, 2014 by edmusic
adding another photo

[4Cruise4Fun]

You can snorkel just below the casino. I'm not sure if there is a charge for access. Last time we were there we saw some folks snorkeling in Lover's Cove too.

 

If you have time, rent a golf cart and follow the map they will give you. You can rent them just to the right of where you get off the tender. You will have some awesome places to take pictures and it is neat to see the island.

 

Enjoy your time on Catalina Island.

[Schmat]

Sorry. I'm new to Cruise Critic and that was my first post.

 

I have Googled Catalina, but everything I found consisted of people recommending tours or tour guides and I wanted to stick to the free stuff as much as possible.

 

I guess what I want to know most is, if there's snorkeling spots within walking distance of the tender dock.

[edmusic]

Read my post #3 above. Just walk to the Casino (maybe 10 minutes max) and you should be able to enter the water at many spots around it. Free.

[Ronnie1a]

Next door to where the tenders will drop you off. Can walk right into the ocean although have no idea what you will see when you get out there. The water is usually quite cold. Catalina is fun to visit but not noted for snorkeling.