snorkeling in Grand Caymen and/or Cozumel

[awtorrey]

Hi, I am going to Grand Caymen and Cozumel in January and would like to know how the snorkeling is on 7 mile beach in Grand Caymen? How far off the beach is the reef? Is the snorkeling there good, or should I book a snorkeling excursion? Same question for Cozumel, is there a beach near the port that is good for snorkeling, or would it be better to book an excursion? Any help/advice you can give is much appreciated.

[Armedaneian]

In Coz, "The Money Bar" is somewhat close to the port and has pretty good snorkeling. It features little patches of coral scattered off the beach and is as good as you'll get from shore there... you need a boat to get to the really good stuff.

 

As for GC, We've never made it to 7 mile beach... because there's fantastic snorkeling right there by the tender port. Eden Rock and it's dive shop are both there and Sunset House isn't much further down the road. Both feature world class, live coral reefs near shore. If we're with people who are concerned about the distance to swim out, we go to Sunset House. :cool:

[Middleager]

For Coz, good snorkeling/diving would need boat ride out. It's drifting there.

 

For GC, there is NOT good snorkeling at the 7-mile beach. Eden Rock is only a few hundred yards to the right (south) of the cruise terminal, and has pretty good and free snorkeling.

[mcmarya]

I concur with the other posters. If you just want to snorkel, Eden Rock is the place. It's the easiest snorkeling site to reach you will ever find since you just have to walk down the street. It's free and you don't have to worry about watching for boats since it is roped off. If you want a beach, too, you will be disappointed since there really isn't one here. If you go left from the tender dock instead of right, you can snorkel the wreck of the Cali. You can ask for specifics at any of the dive shops, but it is fairly close to shore. You do have to watch for boat traffic.

 

We always go to the Money Bar when in Cozumel. It is relatively easy to get to and there is no admission charge--you just buy drinks or food or rent lockers or snorkeling gear. There are loungers, some with shade. Here there is also no beach but, as in Grand Cayman, that is one reason the snorkeling is good--it's ironshore.

Edited October 11, 2015 by mcmarya