Beach day & snorkeling recommendations?

[serotta4]

My family is headed on a Royal Caribbean cruise this summer and will be stopping in Cozumel. There are 2 adults and 2 teenagers. Our desire is to find a place to relax on the beach, swim in the water, and snorkel off the beach (if possible). We will also be stopping in Roatan and Costa Maya and looking to do something similar in those destinations. Does anyone have any recommendations regarding any of these three stops for this type of activity? 

• Should we book through the cruise line or on our own? (I understand some of the pros and cons as far as pricing, but my question is more around is it easy and safe to do things on our own?)

• What is the best beach for relaxing and shore snorkeling? How far is the beach from the port?

• Is it safe to arrange our own transportation? If so, are there specific companies to use/not use?

• Are there any other considerations that we don't want to miss in Cozumel?

THANK YOU!

[JohninDC]

No sandy beach will have good snorkeling from the shore.  Taxis are easy and well regulated (especially compared to the crooks in Philly ), with fares to most of the popular tourist spots posted on a board near the cab line.  All will accept US dollars - no need to change money into Pesos (bring some small denomination bills - cab drivers all over the world never have change when you pull out a $20!).

 

The Money Bar offers good snorkeling, but no beach.  Free admission, lockers, good facilities, chairs and tables and shade, plus good food/drinks and great service.  Rental gear if you need it.  Taxi for 4 from the piers will be about $12

 

Paradise Beach offers a nice beach, HUGE pool, good food/drink/service plus water toys.  $3 admission/chair rental and an extra fee (about $15) for those who want to use the water toys.  Taxi from the piers for 4 will be about $17

 

You could taxi to the Money Bar, snorkel for an hour or two, enjoy some drinks & snacks, and then head to Paradise Beach for the rest of your day.  Mitsugirly is a frequent poster who has a photo intensive review of her family doing both spots in one day linked in her signature - check it out!

 

Good luck! 😎

Edited February 16, 2019 by JohninDC

[grantbob]

Playa Uvas has more beach than Money Bar (though nothing as nice as Paradise) and decent shore snorkeling. The $15 admission fee includes snorkel gear for the day and a 30 minute snorkel tour with a guide. We have done this twice and really enjoyed it both times.

 

In Cozumel it is extremely easy (and much cheaper) to do a beach day on your own. You can pick up a taxi at the port. The fares are posted for each beach club. When you are ready to return to the ship let your waiter/host know and they will call you a cab.

 

The BEST by far shore snorkeling will be in Roatan in the West Bay area. You want to do either a ships excursion to Tabyana Beach or private excursion/driver for the day to Infinity Bay, Paradise Beach, Banarama. These are all in the same place, next to each other. Check out the Roatan board for lots more info. It's the best shore snorkeling we have done anywhere.

[brookeq]

On 2/18/2019 at 10:48 AM, grantbob said:

Playa Uvas has more beach than Money Bar (though nothing as nice as Paradise) and decent shore snorkeling. The $15 admission fee includes snorkel gear for the day and a 30 minute snorkel tour with a guide. We have done this twice and really enjoyed it both times.

 

In Cozumel it is extremely easy (and much cheaper) to do a beach day on your own. You can pick up a taxi at the port. The fares are posted for each beach club. When you are ready to return to the ship let your waiter/host know and they will call you a cab.

 

The BEST by far shore snorkeling will be in Roatan in the West Bay area. You want to do either a ships excursion to Tabyana Beach or private excursion/driver for the day to Infinity Bay, Paradise Beach, Banarama. These are all in the same place, next to each other. Check out the Roatan board for lots more info. It's the best shore snorkeling we have done anywhere.

Definitely snorkel in Roatan.  I agree with the above poster.  We hired a driver (cabs are not recommended in Roatan) and went to West Bay beach.  We did Bananarama resort.  This will have the best snorkeling form the beach for your family.  

 

Paradise beach club is a good option for a beach day in Cozumel.  Check out their website.  They have inflatables for the the kids (if you choose that option).  The food is great and reasonably priced.  Same with drinks.  It also has a nice freshwater pool.   You can snorkel there.  But it won't be as good as Roatan.

 

Costa maya isn't know for their snorkeling.  I would get a cab to Mahahual and pick a spot.  Tropicante is a popular one.