Recommendations for Private boat/snorkel

[jbobst]

There are 9 of us looking for a 3-4 hour snorkel trip in Cozumel in January.  Any recommendation on tour operators?  It sounds like El Cielo and other reefs may be closed, but hoping there are alternatives.

[crewsweeper]

Find a review by mitsugirly.  In her signature will be a review of Cozumel private snorkeling excursion.  That's the company you want.  Sorry forget the name. 

 

Edit:  Found it.  cozumelcruiseexcursions.net.

 

According to mitsugirly this as a great excursion.  But their jeep excursion last month wasn't so hot. 

Edited December 27, 2019 by crewsweeper

[ABQrobin]

People didn't go to El Cielo to snorkel, they went there to handle the starfish, which is why it is now closed.  It is against Marine Park regulations to touch any sealife.

 

Snorkeling in Cozumel.... all the snorkeling reefs are now open to boats....  they all go to the same reefs as Cozumel has very few shallow reefs.  Paradise reef is closest to town, then from there south is Dzul Ha reef (right in front of Money Bar), then Chankanaab.  Those are the only shallow reefs most snorkeling boats go to for excursions.  Much farther south on island is a fantastic reef called Columbia Shallows, but it is far and the gas to get there is why price is higher as well as the fact it takes double the time to get there.  So when you are looking at snorkeling excursions, if they list which reefs they visit...  if it includes Columbia it will be more expensive and longer time for that reason.  

 

There are  a few other reefs that some snorkeling boats list...like Cordona and Palancar.  Those reefs are more than 40' deep at shallowest areas, and IMHO they are way too deep for most snorkelers to enjoy.  Beautiful coral reefs, but you have to understand you won't see much there unless you are good at free-diving down there.  

 

 

[Lady L]

Cozumelh2o.com....wonderful company. Used them many times. We are using them again this month while in Cozumel.