A good East End operator for snorkeling near Morritt's

[Skinsfan1311]

Hi!
I've already booked my dives, for an upcoming trip this Summer. We'll be staying at the Morritt's Tortuga Club. I'm interested in booking a couple snorkel trips, for my non-diving wife and son. Both of them are experienced Caribbean snorkelers, so the excursions need to be pretty good.

While much of the snorkeling will be of the "free" variety, from the shore, they do want to check out some of the reefs, and Stingray City. I'm trying to schedule their outings, at the same time as a couple of my dives, so we can have more family time. (I've got 4 trips planned and can't keep abandoning them to dive!

I did find one operator, who's schedule is favorable. They also go out in small groups, (no cattle-boats), but I've read a couple of mixed reviews, concerning their choice of snorkel sites. One of the trips is called the "East End Reef & Wreck Snorkel" and an experienced diver, & snorkeler, told me that it was a waste of time.

Here's his response, specifically......My wife & I must have done the "East End Wrecks & Reef" - unfortunately, the wreck we went to is the one right near OF - At low tide, it's in about 6 feet of water with a lot of jagged metal and reef very close to the surface - I'd give that a pass for sure!

Is his example typical for East End snorkel excursions? I'd appreciate any feedback, info, or tips that you can pass along. Thanks!

 

[Drew Sailbum]

The East End has few options for snorkelling at a wreck.

The Ridgefield is straight out from the Ocean Frontiers shop off the southeast corner of the island. a liberty ship, she ran aground on the reef in the early 60's, and was ripped apart by a hurricane in the late 80's. Her resting place is about a mile offshore in very shallow water.

The Geneva Kathleen is hardly recognizable as a shipwreck resting in extremely shallow water along the north shore of East End. She lies just east of the easternmost edge of Barefoot Beach, thoroughly broken up against the fringinf reef which is only a few yards from shore.

Other wreck sites, such as the much touted Wreck of the Ten Sails, were of wooden ships in teh early history if the Cayman Islands. Those wrecks have long ago disintigrated, though salvaged remnants such as cannons can be seen adorning driveways in the East End area.


The undersea topography of Grand Cayman's East End limits the options for snorkelling trips by boat. Rough seas and deep waters outside the fringing reef limit the possible sites. The various reefs out from the Gun Bay and Sand Bluff areas (near Ocean Frontiers) are the most suitable in terms of sea conditions and depth.

Most watersports operators do offer some sort of Stingray City trip. Some offer snorkelling-only tours, and others can accomodate scuba divers with snorkelers. Check with your chosen operator for choices.

Finally, there are comparatively few offerings for snorkel trips which do not include the stingrays. Most of the suitable (shallow water and relatively calm seas) sites can be accessed from shore.

 

[Skinsfan1311]

Thanks Drew!