Snorkeling: Key West, Grand Cayman, Ochos Rios

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We went to St. John last year and I got hooked on snorkeling, although I am a "timid" snorkeler - healthy respect for the ocean. I prefer calm water. My husband will snorkel anywhere and be fine! Anyway, it sounds like I might as well scratch Ochos Rios off my list, correct? In Grand Cayman I'm not thrilled about the rays, but is the snorkeling better out on the reef/coral gardens or just as good at Cemetary Reef or Eden Rock? I do love the beach, too! Also, how is the Key West snorkeling? Is the water really rough out at the reef? Thanks for your help!

[heydn62]

We went to St. John last year and I got hooked on snorkeling, although I am a "timid" snorkeler - healthy respect for the ocean. I prefer calm water. My husband will snorkel anywhere and be fine! Anyway, it sounds like I might as well scratch Ochos Rios off my list, correct? In Grand Cayman I'm not thrilled about the rays, but is the snorkeling better out on the reef/coral gardens or just as good at Cemetary Reef or Eden Rock? I do love the beach, too! Also, how is the Key West snorkeling? Is the water really rough out at the reef? Thanks for your help!

 

In Grand Cayman, I've been on a snorkling excursion on a boat and I've been diving at Eden Rock. If you don't care about the stingrays and you are comfortable snorkling without a guide, I think you'd be happy with Eden Rock. Lots to see near the shore, shallow reef, usually with good visibility. Added benefit of being easy to get to.

[back to the islands]

Thanks, heydn! Did you see just as much variety, etc. at Eden Rock? I'm trying to make a decision, which I a have difficulty with! Ha

[heydn62]

Thanks, heydn! Did you see just as much variety, etc. at Eden Rock? I'm trying to make a decision, which I a have difficulty with! Ha

I saw more at Eden Rock than I saw on our previous snorkle trip. Of course, I was diving, but had I stayed at the surface, I still would have seen more there. Lots of parrotfish there in particular. First pic below was near the shore (probably about 8-10 ft deep). Other two were a bit further out (15-20 ft deep).

 

 

The people who run the dive shop there can tell you the best places to go. When the wind picks up, it can be a bit choppy at the surface, but it's usually pretty smooth there. Good Luck, and have fun.