Has anyone ever gone on a cruise to Cozumel, then booked a snorkel trip locally rather than through the cruise line? If so, can you recommend a good company? We want a beautiful reef with lots of fish.

My girls and I (20 and 11) chose Playa Uvas for our day in Cozumel. We had lots of activities planned for our ports the two days before and knew we'd want a relaxing beach day. Uvas was perfect!

the service is excellent there! Carmen greeted us when we arrived and called me by name the rest of the day. She made sure we had an umbrella and had teak loungers moved next to our beach bed for us.

The girls took both tours clear kayak and shore snorkel (had a great time) and I had a massage while they were gone.

There were only two vendors and neither was the least pit pushy. There's an Argentinian man who is a fused glass artist and makes beautiful jewelry inspired by the colors of the sea. His prices were very reasonable and I purchased several necklaces and earrings--some for me and a couple for gifts--and get lots of compliments when I wear them.

If you want a relaxing day, great shore snorkel and clear kayaking, I highly recommend Playa Uvas.

Erika did you get one of the full packages or just pay for the entrance and then ordered food as you were hungry? I plan on getting a massage for sure. It looks beautiful.

TELL ME MORE!! This is exactly what I wanted to hear about Cozumel also. How do I arrange this excursion? Is it a ship excursion or one you arranged on your own and if so how did you do it? thanks!!!

We used Eagle Ray Divers a couple of years ago and plan on using them again this year. Only four of us snorkeling with our own guide. Really a great, personal snorkel trip.

However, if you're skiddish in the water, this may not be for you. The boat dropped us off and then took some divers to a different area. We drifted a half mile or so and then the boat picked us up. We felt safe the whole time with our guide, but it may not be for everybody.

We booked through their web site and took a taxi from the cruise terminal to their pier.
http://www.eagleraydivers.com/Snorkel.htm

Check out the Ports of Call boards at www.Cruisecritic.com. A wealth of info there.

We are going snorkeling from a NCL cruise in March - what do most of the women wear to the snorkeling site?

Where are you going to snorkel in March? I heard that since Wilma the reef was destroyed. People whom I just cruised with who went snorkeling in Cozumel said it was not good at all? I don't know where in Cozumel they went. I would assume where the ships tour went. We went to Belize and it was great. If given a choice I would go with Belize to snorkel.

If you want to snorkle you can get a ca$10)and go to the national park, Chankanaub ($10@ to get in). They have great snorkling right off the beach. You can go right out to the reef. They also have swim with dolphins, dolphin encounter- NOT worth the $$$!!!, a seal show for extra $$. They have food and booze and believe they rent snorkling gear but we have our own so don't have to rent. You should find out more at Chankanaub.com (if I spelled it right). We have also gone to Corona Beach (or Caye?) for snorkling. They don't have a sand beach but do have tables you can sit at. This was for free but Chananaub is better as it has more. For a LOT MORE info on Cozumel and Chankanaub check out cruisecritic.com.