Going on a western caribbean cruise.. where to snorkel?

[paininthewrasse]

We will be stopping at Freeport Bahamas, Grand Caymen, and Costa Maya Mexico..

Where would you all suggest that I snorkel? I'd like to at each stop but I have been told I have to choose one.

LMK

Thanks

 

[billsreef]

Cayman will be the best bet. There is good snorkeling walking distance from were the cruise ships drop you off

 

[Surferlopez]

while in the Cayman Islands definetely visit Stingray City, a sight to remember for the rest of your life...
What? Western Caribbean and not a stop in Conzumel?

 

[rnelson]

Went snorkeling 2 years ago in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, great experience. Last year we went to Jamaica, Caymans, and Cozumel......went to Stingray City in the Caymans, unbelievable.....the water is crystal clear.....I would highly recommend going there!!!!

 

[paininthewrasse]

Is that on a reef or is it just stingrays cruising around in grand cayman?

 

[rnelson]

We took a bus to the other side of Grand Cayman, then hopped on a boat to go out to Stingray City.....took about 30 minutes....it's basically a patch of sandbars where the stingrays congregate......it's a great experience, the water is crystal clear and you see all these rays swimming around....you can pet them and feed them. I had a piece of squid in my hand and this big ray (about 4' across) glided up to me, glided up my legs, then gently sucked the squid out of my hand, pushed off and swam away. Their bellies are VERY soft. One of them kind of wrapped its tail around my ankle and it made me a little nervous, but that's the only time I was in any way "threatened". I didn't scuba or snorkel but I'm thinking it would be a great experience.

 

[billsreef]

Yup, Stingray City is nothing more than a sandbar with feeding conditioned rays. It's cool, but no reef.

 

[10" Red Devil]

Definitely do not pay for the ship approved snorkel/diving trips from the ship when you stop in Grand Caymen. If you go to the right of the international dock where every boat dumps you off at, about a 1/8th of a mile is a shop that will outfit you and they actually had stairs right into a reef off shore. Its a real reef and very, very nice.

 

[paininthewrasse]

Thanks for the advice

 

[xxaquanutxx]

Hey there... I live in Grand Cayman and I definitely suggest visiting Sting Ray City... But I also suggest snorkeling off Eden Rock... it is in town walking distance from the cruise ship port. They rent you the fins, mask & snorkel and you go from right off the back of the shop. There are white buoys to mark the reefs off in the distance and they have some amazing caves and reef fingers. There are loads of tangs, groupers, snappers,etc.

Eden rock is on the waters edge in town...from the cruise ship port make a right and walk down the waters edge... you will pass the Hardrock cafe, and paradise grill then you will see EDEN ROCK after.

 

[xxaquanutxx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9968982#post9968982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billsreef
Yup, Stingray City is nothing more than a sandbar with feeding conditioned rays. It's cool, but no reef.

There is a reef off the sand bar which is part of stingray city... but mostly dive boats go there for diving, not snorkeling and underwater photographers.

 

[10" Red Devil]

Hey I hate to drag up really old threads and I apologize, but xxaquanutxx since you live in Grand Cayman where do you think the best snorkeling can be had? I would really like to see some cool sponges? Last and only time I have been I went on a ship excursion and I really do not know where they took us but it was not far from the international dock in Georgetown out on a boat.

Thanks!

 

[xxaquanutxx]

Hey Red Devil,

For sponges you need to go out a bit further and deeper.

Off Eden rock you will see a few, but you definitely need to swim to the buoys to maximize what you will see.

What is your time of stay on the island? I know a lot of cruise ships do not stay very long here (leaving early afternoon).

If you are not taking a shore tour and are going off by yourself, I definitely suggest staying close to town. I used to work in the cruise line industry and the ships will not wait for you if you are not back in time or on a shore tour purchased on the ship.

There a few other spots off town... like sunset house which is about a mile past Eden Rock. The Mermaid is off there, plus the nickleson wreck, but those are deeper water and are best for diving.

So, my recomendation, for just snorkeling and if you are not purchasing a ship tour is Eden Rock.

If you are diving then I suggest Sunset House!

 

[10" Red Devil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10157916#post10157916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xxaquanutxx
Hey Red Devil,

For sponges you need to go out a bit further and deeper.

Off Eden rock you will see a few, but you definitely need to swim to the buoys to maximize what you will see.

What is your time of stay on the island? I know a lot of cruise ships do not stay very long here (leaving early afternoon).

If you are not taking a shore tour and are going off by yourself, I definitely suggest staying close to town. I used to work in the cruise line industry and the ships will not wait for you if you are not back in time or on a shore tour purchased on the ship.

There a few other spots off town... like sunset house which is about a mile past Eden Rock. The Mermaid is off there, plus the nickleson wreck, but those are deeper water and are best for diving.

So, my recomendation, for just snorkeling and if you are not purchasing a ship tour is Eden Rock.

If you are diving then I suggest Sunset House!

Actually they offer diving certification on the ship. I want to see those interesting ball sponges and or vase type sponges. Some Staghorn coral would be awesome to see as well!

I will be there this time the itinerary says 7am-4pm but tender is required so it is more like 7:30am-3:30pm.

 

[xxaquanutxx]

If you are getting certified on the ship then you definitely should do a dive with one of the dive shops... wouldn't go out alone after you just got certified and are in foreign waters. A lot of shops offer Orientation dives and will pick you up from the cruise ship port.

Red Sail is one of my favorites.

What ship are you coming over on?

 

[10" Red Devil]

Princess. Thanks. Which diving excursion is the best?