Thread: snorkel / the best place ?

I did read the entire forum but did not find what we are looking for so that is why I kindly like some advice : .


We will visit on our upcoming cruise ( March ) Carnival Valor
The Cayman Islands (have been there did the stingray, want to do it again )
Roatan
Belize
Cozumel ( have been there did go to palancar, sorry the part we did, at that time, it was not great)



Snorkeling is our top favorite, second favorite is island touring
where should we go, with whom should we go with, to see coral, fish, dolphins, sharks, ….. that sweeps us away ?

We are very strong swimmers ( are snorkeling for almost 30 years and have seen a lot, yes we are very lucky we know) we are not afraid of strong current and deep sea and are fully equipped.

If we should hire a boat, dive cy, tour organization : we hate cattle boats with booze and loud music (they throw up where you have to snorkel, really have been through that )
Which one can you advise us ?
We are not looking for a long day at sea and an half an hour of snorkeling ( do not need a tan to prove that we have been on a holiday ) and I am on a cruise so will be on a boat for the whole week.


-Cozumel We have been there and did a snorkel trip to Palancar ( some years ago ) at that time we were very disapointed
so any other suggestions are very welcome !
If we could do both go on a snorkel trip combined with an island tour even better but really a few fish and some rocks simply cannot tempt us anymore.

I thank you very very much for all your help and hope to get some good idea’s

Have a great day
From Belgium/ Europe
Frieda and Erwin

Hope someone can help you out on snorkeling in Cozumel.

We haven't snorkeled there in years (when the girls were cruising with us)... and. when we did, the places we went were so-so at best.

Originally Posted by fvandewouwer

I did read the entire forum but did not find what we are looking for so that is why I kindly like some advice : .


We will visit on our upcoming cruise ( March ) Carnival Valor
The Cayman Islands (have been there did the stingray, want to do it again )
Roatan
Belize
Cozumel ( have been there did go to palancar, sorry the part we did, at that time, it was not great)

d?

Snorkeling is our top favorite, second favorite is island touring
where should we go, with whom should we go with, to see coral, fish, dolphins, sharks, ….. that sweeps us away ?

We are very strong swimmers ( are snorkeling for almost 30 years and have seen a lot, yes we are very lucky we know) we are not afraid of strong current and deep sea and are fully equipped.

If we should hire a boat, dive cy, tour organization : we hate cattle boats with booze and loud music (they throw up where you have to snorkel, really have been through that )
Which one can you advise us ?
We are not looking for a long day at sea and an half an hour of snorkeling ( do not need a tan to prove that we have been on a holiday ) and I am on a cruise so will be on a boat for the whole week.


-Cozumel We have been there and did a snorkel trip to Palancar ( some years ago ) at that time we were very disapointed
so any other suggestions are very welcome !
If we could do both go on a snorkel trip combined with an island tour even better but really a few fish and some rocks simply cannot tempt us anymore.

I thank you very very much for all your help and hope to get some good idea’s

Have a great day
From Belgium/ Europe
Frieda and Erwin

I found a website that has a glass bottom boat that also takes you out for snorkeling at two different locations and provides 'beverages' [they mention soda,water, beer and 'tequila'] for around 35/pp...i believe it was through Island Marketing??? Just do a web search for glass bottom boats in cozumel...I've been trying to find someone who has done this trip here...but no luck so far...we go in October so I have some time yet. hope this helps?

Normally glass bottom boats are for people who wish to see the seelife but who does not want to snorkel ( had that experience once, was not that good, people wanted to leave and we wanted to snorkel ..... )
we are leaving in 2 weeks and yet not find a good snorkel trip
I am looking now at some dive cy's to see if they would like to take us along with them
hope you will find something in time
have a great day

Originally Posted by sunebeach

I found a website that has a glass bottom boat that also takes you out for snorkeling at two different locations and provides 'beverages' [they mention soda,water, beer and 'tequila'] for around 35/pp...i believe it was through Island Marketing??? Just do a web search for glass bottom boats in cozumel...I've been trying to find someone who has done this trip here...but no luck so far...we go in October so I have some time yet. hope this helps?

Hi, Frieda;

I'm an avid scuba diver having over 150 dives. My wife, unfortunately, cannot dive because she had an illness as a child that caused problems with her ears and she cannot clear them. It creates a problem because while I love to dive and she loves to snorkel, there are very few areas we can do them together.

Cozumel is one of those places that while it provides outstanding scuba diving, snorkeling is not that good. The reason being is that fish like to stay around the coral reef for protection and food. Unfortunately, in Cozumel, the reef doesn't start until 45' below the surface - too far for a snorkeler to enjoy the sites. There are some spots where the snorkeling is okay, but nothing great.

Grand Cayman affords some very good areas for snorkeling, too many to list here. But there are areas where the reef is only a few feet below the surface, making for wonderful snorkeling. And this can be done just a very short walking distance from the tender pier.

Roatan and Belize both have some awesome scuba diving and they have some very good snorkeling spots.

If you don't want the 'cattle boats', stay away from the excursions offered by the cruise line. You can do very well on your own or you can book an excursion through an independent company like Shore Trips.

Pete

Hi Pete,

Thanks for sharing your snorkel-dive experience.
Actually we did book some private trips in Belize, GC, and Roatan it is just the one in Cozumel that is still open.
We have been there a few years ago and had not that great of an experience.
But we will see at the time we are there what to do, maybe we take a break that day and enjoy some shopping or walking around.
I think that you are a couple similar as Erwin and me, I also like to dive but in our case Erwin has the ear-problem and unfortunately for him he never can dive so I really understand "the problem snorkel - dive couple on a trip "
I stopped diving quiet a few years ago and enjoy snorkeling as well so we can stay together
married in good and bad days so .....call it love !
I hope you are both doing well, it is so great hearing from you again through this forum or through mail
I still hope, one day, you will make it to Antwerp - Essen .....always welcome !
have a great day
Frieda

Originally Posted by Cruise Planner

Hi, Frieda;

I'm an avid scuba diver having over 150 dives. My wife, unfortunately, cannot dive because she had an illness as a child that caused problems with her ears and she cannot clear them. It creates a problem because while I love to dive and she loves to snorkel, there are very few areas we can do them together.

Cozumel is one of those places that while it provides outstanding scuba diving, snorkeling is not that good. The reason being is that fish like to stay around the coral reef for protection and food. Unfortunately, in Cozumel, the reef doesn't start until 45' below the surface - too far for a snorkeler to enjoy the sites. There are some spots where the snorkeling is okay, but nothing great.

Grand Cayman affords some very good areas for snorkeling, too many to list here. But there are areas where the reef is only a few feet below the surface, making for wonderful snorkeling. And this can be done just a very short walking distance from the tender pier.

Roatan and Belize both have some awesome scuba diving and they have some very good snorkeling spots.

If you don't want the 'cattle boats', stay away from the excursions offered by the cruise line. You can do very well on your own or you can book an excursion through an independent company like Shore Trips.

Pete

Hi, Frieda;

We may make it to Antwerp yet - in fact, just last week we were on a travel agent fam with Amtrak and Rail Europe, and Nancy and I won the grand prize; two Rail Europe passes! Needless to say, we're very excited about it and looking forward to another Europe trip. We're trying to join it with a Baltic cruise. This time we'd love to take the train from Amsterdam to Prague, then to Austria and on to Switzerland.

As for Cozumel, you might consider renting a car for the day - runs about $75 although we've gotten deals for as little as $45 if you know the right people. Then you can drive around the island and see the east side, which is very nice and no people! Some beautiful beaches, nice places to eat, and plenty of bars. There's also a lighthouse on the south end.

Pete

Wow that is great ! You will see more of Europe than we have seen in our entire life
so jealous !
Please keep us informed, love to show you around Antwerp - Essen !

About hiring a car at Cozumel seems great could you help us find the right people
should we book this at the time arriving Cozumel or in front as now ??
( am a bit worried about insurance, think our car insurance will not cover Mexico )
appriciate all your help
thanks
Frieda

Originally Posted by Cruise Planner

Hi, Frieda;

We may make it to Antwerp yet - in fact, just last week we were on a travel agent fam with Amtrak and Rail Europe, and Nancy and I won the grand prize; two Rail Europe passes! Needless to say, we're very excited about it and looking forward to another Europe trip. We're trying to join it with a Baltic cruise. This time we'd love to take the train from Amsterdam to Prague, then to Austria and on to Switzerland.

As for Cozumel, you might consider renting a car for the day - runs about $75 although we've gotten deals for as little as $45 if you know the right people. Then you can drive around the island and see the east side, which is very nice and no people! Some beautiful beaches, nice places to eat, and plenty of bars. There's also a lighthouse on the south end.

Pete

On our last trip, we arrived in Munich, took the overnight train to Florence, then on to Sienna (which was amazing), then on to Venice, where we boarded a ship for two 7-night cruises to the Greek Isles, Croatia, and Turkey. After the cruise, we took the train from Venice to Innsbruck, Munich, Frankfort, and Amsterdam. As you know we really wanted to spend some time in Brugges, but our time and the weather dictated otherwise. We went through Brussels and ended up in Paris - all by train. Great way to see Europe, so we're anxious to spend more time there now visiting other places.

You can pre-reserve a rental car through some of the major international companies, but they'll charge more. We always just find some rent-a-wreck and go for it. Most will include insurance for a few dollars more - not very expensive. But they'll be many people standing around with rental cars to offer, so you really don't need to reserve ahead of time, unless you want to pay more for the piece of mind.

Pete

In Cozumel, here's a picture of our last rent-a-wreck! $45 for the day compared to $75 for most places. May not look pretty, but it was a blast.