Snorkeling From Shore

[brnsnbrws]

My sister and I are "seniors", we have never snorkled before but would like to give it a try on our upcoming cruises. We don't want to go out on a boat but want an excursion that snorkels from shore. We are not doing a b2b cruise but we are doing 2 cruises 1 day apart. These are the ports; Cozumel, Roatan, Belize, Grand Cayman, Half moon Cay, Nassau, Grand Turk. Which of these ports would be the best to book an excursion for "senior" beginners?

[Cruzman]

Half Moon Cay. You don't need to book an excursion; simply rent your snorkel gear on the island, wade out and let the snorkeling begin. Best snorkeling will be toward your left when you get to the beach.

[drdaddy]

You've got lots of options! And most of the best ideas are that you don't need an organized excursion unless you feel you want that.

 

Cozumel: Go to Chakanaab Park and go in at Dzul Ha. The steps used to be a bit tricky. Great snorkel for a first timer.

 

Roatan: Even better. Go to www.finsandflippers.com $20 pp and you snorkel from the beach and it is supposed to fabulous.

 

Grand Cayman: Right next to the landing area for the tender is Eden Rock. Supposed to be very nice.

 

HMC: Just swim out to the rocks and enjoy yourself.

 

You can rent snorkel equipment at all these places if you need. Cozumel iffy on that, actually. Not sure.

 

You can do most of these things through the cruise line but why?

[Cotton]

you want that.

 

Cozumel: Go to Chakanaab Park and go in at Dzul Ha. The steps used to be a bit tricky. Great snorkel for a first timer.

 

 

You can rent snorkel equipment at all these places if you need. Cozumel iffy on that, actually. Not sure.

 

?

 

I agree. I'm also a senior female, and my very first snorkeling experience was at Chakanaab Park. I was sooooo at the panic stage...not sure I wanted to do this or not!

 

There were several huts (rental items), and young man at one of the huts nearby came down to water's edge at the rocky (slippery) entrance and adjusted my goggles, got me some flippers, and showed me how to use the snorkle (I had bought a really good one from Scuba.com before the cruise.) He took my hand, and off we went. I almost gave up a coupla times, but he stayed w/me for about 45 minutes.

 

It was WONDERFUL! I never thought I'd see all those wonderful sights, the coral reef, the underwater statues, all those gorgeous colorful fish...oh my! I thought I would panic when the fish started coming toward me and swimming around me, but it was like in a dream.....and I'll always treasure that first snorkeling experience. I've snorkeled many times since, but those were the lasting memories! ENJOY!:)

[glrounds]

Years ago on an NCL cruise to the Caribbean, my wife, son and I signed up for 3 snorkeling excursions with the ship. We were personally escorted (about a dozen of us) from the ship to a snorkeling area, fins, mask and a blowup flotation device were provided for ALL THE EXCURSIONS AT ALL THE PORTS. What price for all THREE of us for all THREE ports ?

 

Guess.:confused:

 

 

 

 

$105 ! ! :D

[bmacri]

Go to Fins and Flippers.

It's a little island just off the ship docks.

$20 gets you the water taxi ride there and back.

$8 gets you fins and mask/snorkel.

(I paid $5 for the mask and snorkel and wore my own water shoes).

 

There is a long dock out into the water. Off the dock it's waist deep.

I'd advise standing in the water, and putting your face (with mask) into the water. YOu won't believe how many fish you will see! Soon, you'll be venturing out to deeper water and higher reefs.

 

The place is clean and the people are helpful and friendly.

 

When we did this there were only 6 other people on the island.

There is a resturant and a bar on this island.

IT was the highlight of our cruise.

 

You can find Fins and Flippers online.

Off the dock, turn right and in about a half of a block there will be a man standing there with a FF sign.

[bobandkelly]

We did the Taybana excursion through Carnival. It is a nice beach and great snorkeling off the shore. I definately like this better than getting in off a boat and being in deep water. I don't like swimming but I will do it to snorkel. The fish you will see and coral are amazing!! This was by far the best snorkeling we have done. Cozumel use to be my favorite but now it is Roaton.

Hope you have a great time!

Kelly

[w8ing2cruz]

Take a quick 3 minute cab ride to Governors Beach (or walk - kinda hot though) Beautiful beach, lots to see. Personally I do not even take our snorkel stuff to Half Moon Cay - there really is not anything to see even if you go as far left as you can.

[Fam_Cruise]

Grand Cayman: Right next to the landing area for the tender is Eden Rock. Supposed to be very nice.

It is very nice and very convenient. You don't need a ship's shore excursion either. When you get off the ship, just follow the shore south to the southern edge of Georgetown and you will come to Eden Rock. You wil see their sign from the ship or tenders just to the right of Georgetown. You can rent gear ($14) and lockers ($5) to store your belongings while snorkeling. Link to their web site for more detailed info: http://www.edenrockdive.com/cruise1.htm

[AryMay]

Cozumel: Go to Chakanaab Park and go in at Dzul Ha. The steps used to be a bit tricky. Great snorkel for a first timer.

 

Chankanaab Park and Dzul Ha are two completely different locations. I've snorkeled at both and would recommend Chankanaab Park. It is much nicer and has more to see both in and out of the water. Even though Dzul Ha is referred to as a beach club, its really just a small outdoor cafe on the side of the road next to the ocean. Chankanaab will have an entry fee, at Dzul Ha there is no entry fee but you will be expected to purchase food and/or drink to use their facilities.

 

 

Grand Cayman: Right next to the landing area for the tender is Eden Rock. Supposed to be very nice.

 

We did a shore dive here but I agree that it would be an easy, cheap place to snorkel. As you come off the tenders from the ship, turn right and walk a couple of blocks. Eden Rock dive center will be on the right. Again, no charge to snorkel, but buy some food if you plan to use their tables, etc. They also have lockers for rent if you would like to lock up any valuables. Lots of fish to see here.

 

Just realize that both of these locations (Grand Cayman and Cozumel) have rocky entrances into the water. Any location that has good snorkeling will NOT be a sandy beach.

 

I am also a "senior" and did my first snorkeling on a cruise ship not too many years ago. Last summer we planned a week in Mexico just so we could snorkel all week long! One suggestion...you might consider getting your own equipment. I bought my mask and snorkel through a dive shop so it wasn't cheap, but having good equipment makes the experience much better. Nothing worse than trying to snorkel when your mask is leaking. :(

 

[cruisegal58]

:) u have some great ports!! my favs anyway. i have snorkeled all over, chankanab on cozumel and eden rock on gr cayman r very nice for snorkeling, but very rocky, coral no beach. eden roc is choppy too. gr turk like someone else said is perfect!! half moon is nice, not alot to see but u can go in without an excursion. there r some fish out by the rope and to the left they have sunk some huge concrete things, fish hang out there. but...governors beach on grand turk....get ont he tram outside the shopping area, for $3-4 bucks they stop at governors only a few minute ride. it is beautiful water, some sunken rocks have nice fish to view. great for a first timer. carnival does offer an excursion here, it is a rip off. i believe those people paid $30 for rt transportation, gear rental and a guy led them intot he water just down a bit from the main beach area. u can do that part too. we didnt even bother, had a great time right at governors. i think i is $5 for a mat and $5 for a lounge chair. lots of sea glass too. neat stuff, my dh said its a heinken bottle all worn down in piesces. hahaha blue, red, green, amber sea glass in 2" of water. i would get a mask/snorkel b4 u leave, u will use it all over and not have to rent or "share" a used snorkel. rent the fins if need be, they r bulky. we loved gr turk and cant wait to return!! they have a few sodas and beer and a few chips and bathrooms, outside showers to rinse off the salt water. grand cayman has the stingrays which r wonderful!! like little puppies swim right up to u, looking for food. we went to sea grape beach in may, it was ok, nice to just enjoy the beach. not good for snorkeling. go to the ports of call board, u can find out quite a bit. cindy

[diverearl]

Half Moon Cay. You don't need to book an excursion; simply rent your snorkel gear on the island, wade out and let the snorkeling begin. Best snorkeling will be toward your left when you get to the beach.

 

My first suggestion would be to go to Gander Mountain or Academy and buy a mask, fins and snorkel set. Then get in a pool and practice with them to get used to using them and to see how well you float around (or not). You may then need to buy a floatation device (or not). If you snorkel at three spots on your itinerary you will save enough to buy a decent set of gear. It is not much trouble to clean the items and I like having my own stuff. Most sets come with a bag to carry your gear.

 

For sure at this point if I were to spend money on a snorkel trip it would be on the stingray snorkel at Cayman, well worth the money.

 

On Cozumel I would go to Aqua World or the International Pier and float around the Airplane Wreck (a plane sank as a prop for a movie years ago). A great shore dive or snorkel often overlooked. You can get in at one location and exit at the other very easy with just a little preparation.

 

Also Dzul Ha or The Money Bar as it is called now is great, both places (The Airplane and Dzul Ha - just buy a coke ($2.00) and use their chair and stairs) however require a 30 - 50 yard swim to fully appreciate. Watch other snorkelers in the area for a few minutes and you will be able to judge the currents in the area and mold your entry and exit profile from this. It is important to exert the energy to swim into the current at the beginning of your snorkel then let the current bring you back to your exit point. You don't want to have a hard swim at the end of the swim as you will be getting tired.

 

The swims required to really see the area is the reason most people take the boats to a good dive or snorkel area. Then you just float around and when you get tired just climb up the ladder and set down on the boat.

 

Either way preparation is the key to having a fun safe outing.

 

cruisegal58 gave several good ideals for spots to try out your snorkeling skills as did several other posters.

[clackey]

My first suggestion would be to go to Gander Mountain or Academy and buy a mask, fins and snorkel set. Then get in a pool and practice with them to get used to using them and to see how well you float around (or not). You may then need to buy a floatation device (or not). If you snorkel at three spots on your itinerary you will save enough to buy a decent set of gear. It is not much trouble to clean the items and I like having my own stuff. Most sets come with a bag to carry your gear.

 

 

 

 

 

Great info.

 

Practice in a pool or shallow area BEFORE your trip and become familiar with your equipemnt. Trying to learn to snorkel in water that is over your head is not the best idea.

[travelmatron]

You're going to be in great snorkel areas. I agree with the prior posters about good places to snorkel from the beach. I'm not sure that snorkeling from the beach though, is the easiest way to start. When you snorkel from the shore it's best to put on your fins AFTER you are in the water. It's very awkward to walk in fins and if you get sand in your feet, it's most uncomfortable the whole time you're out. I prefer putting my mask on after my face and hair are wet too, but I don't think the mask part is as important. At Chakanaab and Eden Rock the stone steps are a little tricky, and the water in both places is deep enough that you'll need to tread water while putting on your equipment (or I guess you could try to sit on the steps, but I think you'd get bounced around a bit). Tabyana is sandy, so you can just walk out into shallow water to put on your stuff, and then swim out to the reef. Half Moon Cay usually has so many swimmers and snorkelers that people are bumping into each other. It wouldn't be where you should start snorkeling, but ok (and just ok) if you like snorkeling so much you want to do it every place there's water.

If you are in a boat, though there will either be a ledge in the back that you can sit on, and then just slide in, or you can put on your equipment, hold your mask, and jump. If you aren't swimmers they will have some sort of vests for you to wear, and the fins actually help in the buoyancy. We are in our 60's, and when we take my dad (late 80's) out to snorkel, we've found the boat trips are quite a bit easier for him.

[Lsimon]

We'vesnorkeled ast both the Eden Rock area of Grand Cayman and at Chankanaab park in Cozumel - both as suggested above - and have loved both.

 

The snorkeling is probably best at Eden Rock in Grand Cayman, but we've been there when conditions are a bit rough. For the best snorkeling you need to swim about 50 yards, maybe more, off shore to the nicer reefs. Sounds hard but unless the seas are rough it is easy if you take it slow. We always go to the second place about a block past the snorkeling spot mentioned above which has food. Ask he people working there to point out where the reefs are in relation to the marker buoys you can see from shore.

 

But for the overall day we like Chankanaab - just because the park is nice and they actually have decent food at the larger open air restaurant there and waiters who will bring drinks to you on the beach!

 

Both here, and for Chankanaab, we take our own mask and snorkel and rent fins - just because it is a hassle carrying around your own fins. We do have some neoprene fin socks (available at various vendors on-line for around $10) that make it easier to get a nice fit with rental fins and also protect your feet a little bit from the rocky shore when getting into the water.

[Host Star]

good advice for putting your fins on after you are in the water, about knee deep.. if you are snorkeling from shore...

[mikaula]

You are so lucky to be going to half moon cay. The snorkeling was not all that great there but it was such a beautiful beach we didn't care. It will always be one of my favorite days!!! Check out the cabanas...kind of expensive but soooooo worth it!!!