day pass options with snorkeling off the beach?

[shakeyleaf]

We'll be in GC at the end of January, and we're looking for ideas for the day.  Ideally we'd like to do a day pass (all inclusive or not) at one of the hotels.  The one thing that is a must is that their must be decent snorkeling from the beach.  Any hotels that you might recommend for this and/or links to ideas are much appreciated.....

[bookbabe]

Where there is good beach, there’s generally lousy snorkeling.  And day passes aren’t generally a thing in Cayman.  Sometimes, in slower seasons, some hotels might offer them...but it’s not a guaranteed or easily available option.

 

Your two beach club options are Royal Palms and Calico Jacks, both of which are discussed in numerous threads here, but neither has great snorkeling.

Edited December 20, 2018 by bookbabe

[OCruisers]

16 minutes ago, bookbabe said:

Where there is good beach, there’s generally lousy snorkeling.  And day passes aren’t generally a thing in Cayman.  Sometimes, in slower seasons, some hotels might offer them...but it’s not a guaranteed or easily available option.

 

Your two beach club options are Royal Palms and Calico Jacks, both of which are discussed in numerous threads here, but neither has great snorkeling.

 

Totally agree with the above.

Normally, a beautiful beach area = lousy snorkeling!

Especially true in Grand Cayman. 

[lifes-a-beach]

If you don’t need facilities head to Cemetary Beach. It’s a 15 minute cab ride or the bus has a stop right at the path that runs beside the Cemetary down to the beach.  Cemetary reef is an easy swim from the beach and is in pretty good shape.  

 

We get to the beach as early as the tenders allow.  Typically there’s nobody else there.  By lunchtime we’re pretty tired anyway so we either wait for the next bus or call the cab that brought us.  Head back to Georgetown for lunch then maybe to the public beach or do a little poking around in the shops before tendering back.  

[TravellingBritNY]

I think that the best beach and snorkel opportunity is Smith Cove.  There is a shower and washrooms there, but no food or drink, so you could go to a convenience store to pick those up first and then head out there.  You would need to take a taxi or rent a car, though.

Maybe do that first, then head back to Royal Palms and/or Public Beach for the  lunch and drinks part of your visit.

[njship3]

Interested in beach snorkeling too and following this post

[jean87510]

We just snorkeled off of eden rock right next to cruise port today. Wonderful snorkeling. We rented a locker for $5, able to fit 2 backpacks and fin bag there. The eden rock dive shop rents everything youd need. They also have buoys and markers where the reef is. We were there for hours. Theres a restaurant connected and one down the street. Its about 0.4 miles from cruise port. Thanks to everyone who posted about this place. No beach here. It's just for snorkeling and scuba.

[cleobella]

Does Eden Rock charge a fee to snorkel there or is it just the locker fees? Is it a safe/easy swim to get to the snorkel site?

[Capt_BJ]

Eden Rock does not (not allowed to) charge to get in the water and snorkel so only charge is if you rent equipment or a locker.

 

It is not a long swim but it is a bit ... and make no mistake this is 'big boy pants' snorkeling in deeper water ... standing is not only a HUGE no-no (never stand on or touch the coral) but for most of the site impossible- too deep.  In the summer the conditions are typically FLAT but in the winter there can be a swell, if the swell is too much the site will close and possibly you'll not even be able to tender in anyway . . . 

 

Since this site IS popular it is used not only from shore but from tour boats AND often as a second (shallow) dive for SCUBA trips so BE AWARE of boat traffic in the area . . . . they are supposed to look out for you; the area is well known and marked but be smart and safe.

 

https://www.edenrockdive.com/shore.html   this web site talks about 'escorted trips' which cost, but if you have your own gear and don't need a locker just jump in.  I often leave a mesh bag with my shoes a t-shirt and a towel on the shore and no one bothers it.  My ship card, credit card, driver's lic (photo ID) and cash can all get wet!

 

Same thing applies a lil way down the road at Sunset House

Edited January 31, 2019 by Capt_BJ

[OCruisers]

2 hours ago, Capt_BJ said:

Eden Rock does not (not allowed to) charge to get in the water and snorkel so only charge is if you rent equipment or a locker.

 

2 hours ago, Capt_BJ said:

It is not a long swim but it is a bit ... and make no mistake this is 'big boy pants' snorkeling in deeper water ... standing is not only a HUGE no-no (never stand on or touch the coral) but for most of the site impossible- too deep.  In the summer the conditions are typically FLAT but in the winter there can be a swell, if the swell is too much the site will close and possibly you'll not even be able to tender in anyway . . . 

 

Since this site IS popular it is used not only from shore but from tour boats AND often as a second (shallow) dive for SCUBA trips so BE AWARE of boat traffic in the area . . . . they are supposed to look out for you; the area is well known and marked but be smart and safe.

 

https://www.edenrockdive.com/shore.html   this web site talks about 'escorted trips' which cost, but if you have your own gear and don't need a locker just jump in.  I often leave a mesh bag with my shoes a t-shirt and a towel on the shore and no one bothers it.  My ship card, credit card, driver's lic (photo ID) and cash can all get wet!

 

Same thing applies a lil way down the road at Sunset House

 

Per above ... nice but not a good idea for a beginning snorkeler.  

[TravellingBritNY]

I would agree that if this is your very first snorkel experience, then it might be too ambitious.

 

But if you have done a couple of easier snorkels and are comfortable in the water, and if the conditions are calm, then it's really not bad at all.