Which port is best??

[sabandmom]

I'm taking 2 teenage son's on Western Carribean cruise. Which port is best for snorkeling? Out of Jamaica, Grand cayman, and cozumel. We are planning on the stringray tour/snorkel in grand cayman for sure. Not sure about the other 2 ports.

I would appreciate any recommendations for tours. My boys have never snorkeled but are excited about it.

Thank you!!

[cmdchiefthom]

Other than Grand Cayman, Cozumel is where you want to snorkel. Jamaica can be OK, and for teenage sons, probably a good choice (better than having street people offer the kids weed, right in front of you), but it depends on the port your stopping at.;)

[melika091900]

we snorkeled in cozumel, it was very nice. the water was deep, we did it off the shore,, it was a shore excursion we booked through carnival so im not sure of the area..

 

are they good swimmers???

im just asking since the water is bouncy at times...

there was a lot of rock and reef getting into the water,, and you really need fins to help you get around.. im sure the cruiseline should offer an excursion , which ship are you going on ?

 

 

heres some pics ..

[/img]

[melika091900]

we snorkeled in cozumel, it was very nice. the water was deep, we did it off the shore,, it was a shore excursion we booked through carnival so im not sure of the area..

 

are they good swimmers???

im just asking since the water is bouncy at times...

there was a lot of rock and reef getting into the water,, and you really need fins to help you get around.. im sure the cruiseline should offer an excursion , which ship are you going on ?

 

 

heres some pics ..

[/img]

[sabandmom]

We are going on the Carnival Conquest. So the ports are Montego Bay, Grand cayman, and Cozumel.

They are both fairly good swimmers. I would especially like suggestions for cozumel since I'm pretty sure we will do one of the stingray/snorkel tours in Grand Cayman. (probably nativeway tours)

Thanks for your responses!!

[sportsterjohn]

Cozumel has an excellent reef system and is good for both shore and boat snorkle trips. In jamiaca, I would book an excursion. They have a very fun zip line tour.

[Jimmers]

My wife and I did our first snorkeling in Chankanaab National Park in Cozumel (short taxi ride) in 95. We rented our equipment right there and snorkeled off the beach. We loved it so much it inspired us to eventually become certified scuba divers.

 

We were in Cozumel on the Liberty of the Seas last month. Our son who is 21 did his first snorkeling at the same place. At first he had some difficulty getting used to using the snorkel but after that he too loved it.

 

He also swam with the dolphins at the same park (Dolphin Discovery.com). Everyone who does this loves it. I went to the Tulum Ruins so I didn't get the chance. Maybe next time. If you do it make sure it's the royal swim. It has the most interaction with the dolphins. We booked ours directly with Dolphin Discovery. If you go with the ship's dolphin excursion make sure it is comparable to the royal swim offered by Dolphin Discovery.

 

On our 3/06 Cruise to Cozumel we did the Palancar Reef excursion. It was really great and only around $45 as I recall. A truly wonderful time with some great snorkeling.

 

In my opinion Stingray City is a must do in Grand Cayman. When we were there last month I couldn't talk my kids into doing it.(the steve irwin thing). Do the combo barrier reef and nearby stingray city. The water at the reef is only around 12ft deep and you'll get to see and maybe touch as we did, the resident nurse shark and moray eel. A great time.

 

Good Luck,

Jimmers

 

Carnival Imagination 1995

Royal Caribbean Mariner 2006

Royal Caribbean Navigator 2007

Royal Caribbean Liberty 2007

Jewel of the Seas 2008

[first_time_cruiser_sept06]

Haven't been to Jamaica yet... however, I would have to pick Cozumel snorkeling over Grand Cayman.

 

We took a taxi to Chankanaab National Park (Cozumel) as well. We did snorkeling off of the beach. I do agree with the other post - regarding the water... it was a little rough by the shore but, okay once you are snorkeling away from shore. I couldn't believe the amount of fish. There are some underwater statues as well. The beach and the garden were beautiful. In my opinion it was the second best port (after Belize) on our cruise.

 

Don't get me wrong Grand Cayman is nice too.... Unfortunately, their was a storm brewing as we were in the water so we had to battle some decent waves. Did get to see some very colorful fish and starfish. The stingray excursion was great.

 

Both are the Caribbean - how could we go wrong..?? lol :)

[kasaba]

We've booked the Fishermans Rock snorkeling excursion on the Carnival Liberty. Has anybody else been on that one? How was it?

[Denise&Paul STL]

In Cozumel, we also took a cab (much cheaper than the excursion which ended up in Chakanaab as well) to Chakanaab for our first snorkel trip, and also enjoyed the snorkeling so much we are becoming certified scuba divers. It was a good first experience. The Palancar excursion we took the following year and was a little too rough for our inexperience. Good swimmers, but not too knowledgeable about snorkeling, so was rough.

 

In Grand Cayman, we used Moby Dick for the snorkel trip with the stingrays and snorkeling the reef. They were much less expensive and gave us more snorkel time without the cattle drive of the trip excursions. They also gave us the option of dropping us off at Seven Mile Beach on the way back which saved us a taxi ride.

 

http://www.mobydicktours.com/

 

Hope you have a wonderful time!

[travelmatron]

I'm in total agreement with those who've suggested taking a taxi to Chankanaab. It's a great park and you'll have total control over the amount of time you want to spend there. The beach entry is rocky, and since you are new to snorkeling spend just a little time watching how others get in, and when they put on their fins. It will save you some frustration.

[Snorkel Dawg]

In Grand Cayman, we (myself DW, & DD's 12 & 7 yrs.) booked a private stingray city tour. We used Capt Bryans, we spent a half day with their delightful & infornative crew at SR city & 2 other fantastoc snorkeling spots. At one spot "the aquarium" the guides have a 6' "pet" eel they fed. Awesome! Please note this was on a beautiful new 50" cat w/ only 16 other people. Drinks were included for $45.00 US PP. Simply one of the most exciting things I've ever done, highly recomend it.

[ncboatdrvr]

Another vote for Cozumel. I haven't done Chankanaab, but took a cab to Dzul Ha and snorkelled from the beach. Great area!