LF Carnival Cruise Snorkeling recommendation

[Edward Smith]

The family is going on a Carnival Cruise in December. We're hitting:
Cozumel
Belize
Isla Rotoan
Costa Mya

I'm having a hard time finding out which area and cruise will be the best for seeing coral and fish? I will probably on go on one.

Anyone have any experiences?

Thanks,

 

[billsreef]

Roatan has excellent shallow reefs with only moderate current. Belize could be good, depending on just were the ship stops. Cozumel is basically drift diving, and while it can be snorkeled it's bit different with the strong currents dragging you along. When I was Costa Maya, the cruise dock had just been completed and there wasn't much other than the bus tour to the ruins. The area did look promising for snorkeling, however, I opted for the ruins vs. exploring on my own. Didn't regret it either Of those destinations I'd go for Roatan for the major snorkeling spot, excellent reefs and not much else to do there

 

[Edward Smith]

Awesome Bill! Thanks.

Anyone else?

 

[liverock]

been there done that

been there done that

Belize....is a tendered port...make SURE you are on the first tender boat that leaves....no snorkeling there unless you go out to an offshore Key....and you don't have time to do that......they take you to the "tourist village".....don't leave it unless you have a private tour guide...or are on one of carnivals tours. We used Don Ramerize from Action boys Belize, great guy private van, just the two of us... and we did a city tour......the zip line......cave tubing.....Alta un Mayan ruins lunch at a local restaurant and the Belize zoo...and back in time to the "village" for the last tender at 4pm....was a GREAT way to see Belize. Don't use carnivals tours, cost too much and is a cattle drive...we were first at the zip line, and had it all to ourselves...as the caves....ruins...and zoo...and were leaving as cattle showed up on many buses from carnival.

Roatan.....you dock there.....and they have a beach...but nearby is great snorkeling......but we used Ali from Bodden tours, had a private guide/vehicle and saw the whole island, was worth it....reefs are swimming distance from the shore, drops off real quick there...

Costa Maya....is a docked port....walk through the "village" turn right.....I walked about 2 miles all by myself, was good snorkeling...and I was the only one....felt secure there...best place for snorkeling of all the ports....and cost nothing...

Cozumel....docked port....hit the land, turn right.....you can walk about a mile...to nice access to snorkeling...no beach....rocks down to the water...but much sea life.

Richard TBS:lolspin::lolspin::lolspin: