West side sites for shore diving AND snorkeling?

[allniceonice]

My husband and I are divers and will be visiting Grand Cayman for one day with my parents, who are basic snorkelers. I have scoured these boards and elsewhere looking for the best places on the west side of the island to dive and snorkel together and have not found much information.

Here are the locations I've narrowed our focus to based on the quality of the diving, but I am having difficulty determining how suitable for snorkeling they really are:

*Lighthouse Point
*Turtle Reef / Cracked Conch
*Sunset House

We welcome other suggestions too. We would ideally like to stay away from the areas immediately surrounding the cruise ship tenders.

Thanks!

 

[Testudo]

From a snorkeling perspective:

Eden Rock/Devil's Grotto (best snorkeling of the options, go on weekend when there are no/few cruise ships)
Sting Ray City Dive Site (better if you snorkelers can submerge/free dive at least a few feet)
Sunset House (Good snorkeling)
Cracked Conch (OK, but good stuff is really too deep for snorkeling)
Have not snorkeled Lighthouse Point.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Though it is not really a shore dive you might want to consider the wreck of the Kittiwake. The top of the ship is only a few feet from the surface which should be good for snorkelers. The Bottom rests in about 55ft of water.

 

[allniceonice]

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I don't think Stingray City is in the cards for us, and I would prefer not to dive in the shadow of the cruise ships. So it sounds like our best bet from shore is Sunset House, or else go our separate ways and converge later for topside activities.

Testudo: I checked out your snorkel guides, what a fabulous effort. It makes me want to plan my next vacation for GC only!

 

[Testudo]

Keep in mind there are almost never any cruise ships in port on Sunday and rarely on Saturday. That is when I hit Eden Rock. George Town is a ghost town on weekends as well.

EDIT: Never mind...I take it you are coming on a cruise?

 

[allniceonice]

Yes, sorry. We know then that they'll be at least one ship in port.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Check out the website for the Port Authority of the Cayman Islands to see how many other cruise ships will be in on your day.

 

[reefgirl64]

We're planning on a trip in April....I found this link to the Caymans & it's very informative & there's a link on it to their forum & tons of recommendations for diving or snorkeling, maps & all. Good luck!
Cayman Islands | Complete Cayman Islands Vacation Planning and Savings Guide

 

[Testudo]

Just be advised that the above referenced website and forum only permits recommendations and discussions regarding companies that are paid advertisers/sponsors of the site. Many are completely reputable, but it can present a very filtered perspective.

 

[diversteve]

I would 2nd Sunset House. There's good snorkeling sort of off to the North in really shallow water. In some areas I thought if I stood up, I'd be stepping on the coral. One afternoon there was a noticeable current - not much but enough that it could be disconcerting to new snorkelers. Also, the ironshore means you have to be able to get back to your entry point. Even a few spots just off the Sea Pool aren't bad. The non-divers can also wait at My Bar - or go see the Cathy Church photo gallery on-site if they have to wait for the divers to return - the Nicholson is a fairly long swim out - the Mermaid is a lot closer.

Agree with Testudo - by the time you exit the (tiny) cove at Turtle Reef you're almost already in water too deep to snorkel.