Best Caribbean ports to Snorkel without an excursion

[CrimsonCruiser]

Howdy!

I finally did my first bit of snorkeling at Aruba on this past cruise and had a great time! I would love to do it again and while I wouldn't mind paying for a snorkel excursion, I also know I can grab a $20- $50 mask set from Amazon.

So I'm curious, which Caribbean ports have good, easy to get to snorkeling without needing to book an excursion?

[KristiZ]

I love snorkeling. I also have a tiny face, so it’s always the kids masks that fit me, and I often have a hard time convincing the tour operator of this. So I bought a mask and tube and bring that with me. I’m ensured of a good fit every time.

But usually, we book an excursion. Often the very best snorkeling is out a bit from shore so having a boat take you out is easiest.

The only exception to this is Grand Cayman, where you can taxi or bus to Cemetery Beach and have amazing snorkeling right from the shore with no crowds.

[IRMO12HD]

16 hours ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

Howdy!

I finally did my first bit of snorkeling at Aruba on this past cruise and had a great time! I would love to do it again and while I wouldn't mind paying for a snorkel excursion, I also know I can grab a $20- $50 mask set from Amazon.

So I'm curious, which Caribbean ports have good, easy to get to snorkeling without needing to book an excursion?

A tip, @CrimsonCruiser-- if you have a dive shop near you, go in and ask for help finding a mask.  I, for one, have a very thin face, and had to try on quite a few before I found one that fit well.  And -- a well-fitting mask makes a happier snorkeler!  If you don't have a dive shop near you and you've got Amazon Prime, make sure you order one with free returns.  Hold it up to your face (without putting the strap around your head), suck air in through your nose, and see if the mask "sticks" to your face.  If it does, that's a sign of a good fit.  

[CrimsonCruiser]

6 hours ago, IRMO12HD said:

A tip, @CrimsonCruiser-- if you have a dive shop near you, go in and ask for help finding a mask.  I, for one, have a very thin face, and had to try on quite a few before I found one that fit well.  And -- a well-fitting mask makes a happier snorkeler!  If you don't have a dive shop near you and you've got Amazon Prime, make sure you order one with free returns.  Hold it up to your face (without putting the strap around your head), suck air in through your nose, and see if the mask "sticks" to your face.  If it does, that's a sign of a good fit.  

Thanks! I'm pretty physically average all the way around (yay?) but this is still good to know!

[wordell1]

I would always book private snorkeling excursions where possible.  You typically have less people and just get more for your money.  We bring our own mask and rent the fins locally if possible in order to carry less.

There are several places that have very good snorkeling from the beach - Roatan, Cozumel, and St Thomas (Trunk Bay, St John's) come to mind.  I'm sure there are others.