Grand Cayman 1-day snorkel hopping

[LakeTravisJK]

We will be in Grand Cayman sometime in October and want to do as much snorkeling as possible. After viewing this link for popular snorkel spots: caymanislandsdiscounts.com/OffshoreSnorkelin… can anyone tell us which of these places to hit for the best coral and fish viewing in the 6 short hours in port? Fees to get in? Closed any days? Any other places to recommend?

 

We've had mostly good and but a few bad experiences (high winds & jellyfish stings from microscopic jellies). We have our own gear and want to make the most of this short time.

 

More questions:

1) What is the weather typically like from early Oct - early Nov...prevailing winds, rains, clouds, water temperature?

2) What's the most practiced way to snorkel-hop the island without a car?

3) Are taxis lined up ready at the cruise dock?

4) How remote are these snorkel spots; will taxis be easy to flagdown or do you need to plan a return pickup time?

5) Can you rent golf carts & is there parking for them while snorkeling?

6) Is there enough time to travel around the island, or part of the island and make it back to the ship in time? via golf carts, via taxis???

[CRUISERTN]

The ship will anchor and you will tender in to a pier located between Eden Rock and Wreck of the Cali, if you check the maps mentioned on the other site. When you get to the pier, turn to the right and walk about one-third of a mile to Eden Rock....you can see the little restaurant with the giant dive flag on it...I think the building is green and across from there is a shopping two-story mall........entry is easy and free at Eden Rock and $5 to rent a very small locker that is wooden, half broken and not the best in the world....weather that time of year is like rolling dice; can be good and can be rainy, windy, too choppy to snorkel, etc.....and if weather is too "iffy" they sometimes don't even stop in Grand Cayman.....to the left of the pier you can walk about a 15 minute very brisk walk to Wreck of the Cali and just past it you will see the Burger King and Cheeseburger Reef is near the Burger King.....again, entrance is free.....last time we were at Eden Rock (about 3 months ago) there were a large number of tarpon as soon as you enter the water....very shallow....you can swim a ways out for better snorkeling, depending on the weather and current.....if you do all of those, or even two of those, you are not going to have any time to do anything else, because you will have to get back to the pier to take a tender back to the ship. If you want a very fun and unique experience, I would recommend going out to Stingray City....you can go just there or do an excursion that combines Stingray City and snorkeling at a reef about 100 yards from there....good snorkeling....fairly shallow water with good visibility.....again, IF THE WEATHER IS GOOD.........the sandbar where the rays are is only about 4 feet deep and it is an incredible experience....you have to ride for about 10 minutes to get to a boat and the boat ride is about 40-45 minutes out to the Stingray city area...........you could possibly do this excursion with the snorkeling and if you get back to the pier and have extra time you could always do a power walk over to Eden Rock and snorkel for a while there before going back to the ship. You wouldn't have time for anything else, though.....the time in Cayman is always short and always goes by way too fast!! Hope this helps!!! Enjoy!!

[beemerrider]

I agree with the above. Your other option is to go to Don Foster's dive shop. Again, snorkeling is free and the reef system there is very good. It is a little bit farther to walk, about a 15-20 minute walk or a 5 minute taxi ride. At the dive shop, you can rent or buy equipment(if you don't have your own) and by sodas, juices etc., as well as t-shirts and other products. Grand Cayman is a beautiful island and definitely worth snorkeling or scuba dive. Have fun!!