Tag Archives: Grand Cayman

Negril Beach, Jamaica
Aruba, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Jamaica

Best Caribbean Islands for Families

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Most children are happy to be taken anywhere that’s not school or daycare, and a trip to the Caribbean certainly fits the bill. Most destinations in the region have at least one resort with an enjoyable children’s program, but some islands have more to offer the younger generation in the way of activities and are flush with resorts that go the extra mile to cater to kids.

Grand Cayman

The island is relatively small, so there are no long rides to and from resorts and attractions. The resorts themselves are well-run and all areas of the island are safe to wander. Most days, the ocean at Seven Mile Beach is like bathwater, perfect for little swimmers and snorkeling is close to shore. Farther afield, the trip to Stingray City to pet the rays is an instant lifetime memory for most people, and the boat ride out crosses calm water. The island’s one drawback is that it’s pricey compared to some other destinations. But there are workarounds, as some resorts including a few on Seven Mile Beach have begun offering all-inclusive packages. There are also hundreds of vacation villas for rent; these have full kitchens, and supermarkets are nearby so families can cook to keep costs down.

Jamaica

Jamaica didn’t invent the all-inclusive, but you could argue it was perfected here. Meals, activities and entertainment are right there and well-suited to schedules that may need to adapt based on the whims and needs of the little ones. In addition to providing favorable package prices for family vacations, Jamaica has a nearly limitless supply of attractions and activities: Dunn’s River Falls, rafting on the Rio Grande or Martha Brae rivers, Fern Gully, zip lining, bicycling, fishing, snorkeling, sailing, diving, golf, tennis, spas … it’s all here. For families, the north coast—Montego Bay and Ocho Rios—has the most options, including several all- inclusive properties that take youth programs to the next level, with everything from costumed characters to entertain the little ones to teen-centric lounges and dance clubs. Parents aren’t forgotten either and have the ability to create that ideal mix of family and couples time.

Aruba

Aruba isn’t what many envision as a tropical paradise. There are no waterfalls or lush green mountains, and instead the landscape is dry, hilly and peppered with cacti. But it, too, holds plenty of attractions for families, chief among them are the warm welcomes guests receive and the accommodating nature of the local people. The fabulous beaches rank high as the island’s main attraction. Aruba also has its share of all-inclusives with very active and complete kids’ programs, so no one is going to get bored here. If you can tear yourselves away from the beaches go north and west into the outback to ride an ATV or a horse, rent some mountain bikes, swim in the natural pool, explore the old gold mine and climb the dunes and boulders near the California lighthouse.

All Sea Trek Fish, Grand Cayman
Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Play, Trip Ideas

What Goes Below: 6 Easy Underwater Adventures on Grand Cayman Island

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If you are SCUBA certified, you probably already know about Grand Cayman Island: It’s one of the top-rated dive destinations in the Caribbean, offering up stellar underwater visibility, colorful reefs, shipwrecks and plunging underwater walls. But you don’t have to be a diver to discover what lies below, and in some cases, you don’t even have to get your head wet to see under the sea. Here, from mildest to wildest, are some of the ways to discover Grand Cayman’s underwater attractions.

Under Glass

Thanks to clear waters and nearshore reefs, the west end of Grand Cayman is ideal for glass bottom boat tours. An easy and relatively inexpensive way to watch fish flit about the shallow corals or take in the remains of a shipwreck is aboard the Reef Roamer. This stable, 34-foot vessel plies the calm waters around the George Town harbor and is suitable for ages pre-K to post-retirement. It’s popular with the cruise ship crowd, so on-island visitors may want to reserve ahead rather than chance walking on.

Pseudo-Sub

If you are ready to delve a bit deeper into Grand Cayman’s underwater scene, but don’t want to lose contact with the surface, you can experience a submarine-like adventure aboard the Seaworld Observatory. This custom-built tour vessel places passengers in a below-water viewing chamber where they can easily watch the surrounding sea life, while remaining dry and in air-conditioned comfort.

Deep Perspectives

For a glimpse of what lies farther below, sign up for a tour of duty aboard the Atlantis XI. This is a true submarine, capable of moving freely about the ocean floor at depths of 100 feet. The large central passenger chamber eliminates any sense of claustrophobia, there’s no rocking motion, and because the sub is sealed and dry, there are no pressure changes during descents and assents. Individual viewing ports provide glimpses of shipwrecks, reefs and the upper edge of the island’s famous underwater walls. There are also night trips, where the sub’s powerful exterior lights are used to reveal the hidden details of reef life.

Cayman Islands underwater atlantis sub, underwater adventures

Large portholes line the sides of the Atlantis Submarine. These windows provide fantastic views and bring in light to keep passengers from feeling claustrophobic. Photo: Cayman Islands Submarine

Head in a Bubble

It’s an update on Jules Verne. Sea Trek sends you underwater with an air-filled helmet on your head and an airline providing a steady flow of fresh air from the surface. Like an old-fashioned hard hat diver, you’ll be weighted to walk on the bottom, so there are no swimming or buoyancy control skills to master. Heads stay dry during a guided underwater stroll along a marked pathway, making it possible to wear glasses or keep your contacts in place. Children as young as eight can participate.

78-All-Sea-Trek-Trail

Instead of attempting to master underwater buoyancy skills, Sea Trek divers follow a handrail to enjoy a guided tour of the reefs, with no fear of bumping fragile formations. Photo: Karen Doody/SeaTREK

Lose the Tank

SNUBA is like SCUBA diving, only without the tank and other bulky equipment. The air supply remains on the surface, leaving the diver unencumbered, with just a breathing mouthpiece and a small harness that acts as a surface tether. Because depths are limited to 20 feet or less, there’s no need to consult decompression tables or deal with the other physiological concerns of deeper diving. All one needs to do is master the simple acts of breathing through a regulator and equalizing the ears during descent, then it’s off and swimming. Among the SNUBA adventures offered on Grand Cayman are fish feedings and a visit to a shallow shipwreck.

Snuba

SNUBA divers get their air supply through a long hose that attaches to a tank floating on the surface. This adventure can be enjoyed with no prior dive training. Photo: Steve Foulger

SCUBA Lite

Many of the same operations that cater to active scuba divers also offer introductory programs that allow neophytes to master the basics. Programs are usually about two hours in length, and include some initial on-land instruction on the use of the equipment, followed by one or more underwater excursions. When choosing, look for programs that are sanctioned by one of the major training agencies, which include PADI, NAUI, SSI and SDI.

Cayman Islands Sailing
Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Play, Trip Ideas

10 Aquatic Adventures on Grand Cayman

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Grand Cayman Island is a favorite with scuba divers, but there are many more ways to play in these sparkling waters besides blowing bubbles and chasing fish. On beaches and coves around the island you can paddle, sail, skim, shred and even soar with adventures ranging from relaxing to high- voltage. Here’s the lowdown on how to leave the land while still keeping your head above water.

Reel Fun

Cayman Island Fishing, Adventures on Grand Cayman

Blue marlin are among the most prized game fish found in Cayman Island waters. Photo: iStock

Grand Cayman’s sport fishing charter fleet is relatively small—about a half dozen boats—but the fishing is good. Most skippers will head west toward 12-Mile Bank, where there’s always a chance of hooking into a trophy blue marlin, but better odds of landing mahimahi, wahoo and yellowfin tuna. Summer months are the calmest and also when the bite is best for many blue water species. Inshore, tarpon are in the canals and cuts around Governors Creek, while bonefish patrol the flats of North Sound.

Call You Captain

If guided tours aren’t your thing, and if you have basic boating skills, you can hire your own runabout for the day and bring family and friends along for the ride. The two primary areas where rentals are offered are along Seven Mile Beach, where the nearshore waters are usually calm, and within North Sound, where there may be a light chop, but no big waves. The rental fleet includes versatile center consoles and sporty bowriders that can tow a skier.

Wake Up

While almost any fast boat can pull a skier or a tuber, serious wakeboarders are happiest when they are behind a specialized towboat that has plenty of power and a big wake to launch them. It’s possible to hire a high-end pull on Grand Cayman, either by the hour or as a full or half-day charter. Rear- engine, direct-drive towboats provide not only plenty of power but also ample passenger room for the whole family. After the teens get their fill of big air, mom and dad could take a lesson or switch out for an inflated towable so everyone can have some laughs.

Paddle Power

Cayman Islands Kayaking

Kayak tours are an ideal way to discover the North Sound’s mangrove lagoons. Photo: Cayman Department of Tourism

If internal combustion isn’t your thing, you can trade motor for paddle to explore the island’s beaches, sea grass flats and mangrove forests by kayak. Several guided tours are available, including sunset excursions and night explorations into the glowing waters of Bio Bay, where paddle strokes create glowing swirls. For a more casual paddle, look for rental concessions along Seven Mile Beach, at Rum Point and along East End. Several companies even deliver kayaks to resorts and condos island-wide.

Stand on It

The stand-up paddleboard (SUP) craze is alive and well in Grand Cayman, and most all of the same activities and tours that kayakers enjoy can be done on a SUP board—and then some. One popular option for diehards who are on island for more than a day is to secure a long-term rental board and roof rack, then use the rental car to create an island-wide paddle safari. More advanced paddlers can even catch a few waves out on the reefs.

Jet About

The water-sports phenomenon known as Flyboarding that is sweeping waterfronts across the Caribbean has come to Grand Cayman. Participants step into a boot-like fitting on a small platform, designed with jets and a long hose that directs high-pressure water from a personal watercraft to the nozzles. Beginners start off a few feet above the water, but experienced riders can reach heights of 20 feet or more and make swooping dives into the water.

Wind Blown

Cayman Islands Windsurfing

Both East End and North Sound offer ideal conditions for windsurfing. Photo: Cayman Windsurfing

Though you might not guess it when wading the calm shallows on the island’s sheltered west end, Grand Cayman can power up some exciting windsurfing action or provide the conditions needed for beginners to get their sea legs. The two primary hot spots are along the east coast, where a barrier reef knocks down the swell and easterly winds allow for long crosswind runs on the beach, while also keeping beginners from drifting out to sea. The island’s northwest corner provides more experienced riders with a liquid playground for chop hopping and wave riding.

Kite Flight

Cayman Islands Kitesurfing

A kite surfer skims the surface near Barker’s National Park. Photo: Cayman Department of Tourism Kite Surfer on North Sound. Photo: Cayman Department of Tourism

Kiteboarding can be a real thrill ride, but when beginners try to teach themselves or attempt to ride in less-than-ideal conditions, the thrill is soon gone. Several companies on Grand Cayman offer rental equipment and lessons, and the place to learn is in the sandy shallows off Barker’s National Park on the island’s northwest corner. Some schools provide chase boats to rescue neophytes who go adrift, while more accomplished riders can head offshore to play in the waves.

Sail Away

For a more relaxed method of harvesting the wind, charter a sailboat for the day or longer. Small rental boats and catamarans are easy to secure at numerous beachfront resorts, while charter-boat skippers provide trips aboard larger single-hull and catamaran cruisers. One charter company offers multi- day trips to the Cayman’s smaller Sister Islands or as far as the coast of Cuba.

Surf’s Up

Ok, Grand Cayman is not a surfing Mecca. But there are surfable waves from time to time, and a small but committed group of local riders. But for most island visitors, the best way to catch a wave might be at the Black Pearl Skate Park, which has recently reopened, and includes a wave machine that provides riders with an endless curl.

 

Cayman North Sound
Belize, Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Curacao, St. Lucia, Stay, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Best Caribbean Snorkel Resorts

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One of the great joys of snorkeling tropical waters is freedom. No complex or heavy dive gear to manage, no worries about running out of air or monitoring bottom time, just the tranquility of hovering over a sun-dapple reef. It’s even better when done on your own schedule by wading right out from a resort beach, with no boat to catch and a refreshing shower and beach chair awaiting your return. Here are some of the best beachfront resorts in the Caribbean that provide immediate access to great snorkeling.

 

Grand Cayman barrier reef

Aerial view of Grand Cayman’s northern barrier reef. The outside is safe for snorkeling only in calm seas; the sheltered inner side offers more consistent conditions. Photo: Cayman Island Tourism

The Retreat at Rum Point, Grand Cayman

It’s less than eight miles from Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach to Rum Point as the crow flies, but you’ll have to drive all the way around on the island’s coastal highway or take a ferry across North Sound to get there. This relative isolation means fewer swimmers on the palm-fringed beach and a chance to explore the coral-strewn shallows inside the island’s northern barrier reef. The resort is a collection of rental condominiums that provide spectacular water views. Full kitchens save on dining out, but if the adjacent Wreck Bar saps the cook’s culinary ambitions, then head next door to the Rum Point Club for a meal.

Retreat at rum point

The Retreat at Rum Point sits along 1,200 feet of white sand beach where you might enjoy a beachside massage or a nap in a hammock under the shade. Photo: Rum Point

Fantasy Island Beach Resort, Roatan

The island of Roatan is ringed by magnificent coral reefs. But getting to many of these sites will require a boat ride. The best place to begin a snorkel from shore is at the Fantasy Island Beach Resort. Beginning just to the east of the resort beach is French Key Reef, which is an area of sheltered and protected coral reefs that rise close to the surface. A couple of minutes of finning across the sand bottom brings you to coral gardens filled with an abundance of tropical fish. As an alternative to swimming, resort guests can opt for a guided boat trip. Fantasy Island is a mid-sized resort set on a small private island just off Roatan’s southern shore in the popular Coxen Hole area. All-inclusive packages are available, and the resort is popular with divers and watersports enthusiasts.

Honduras Fantasy Island

This dock at the western edge of the Fantasy Island beach is the ideal starting point for a snorkeling exploration of the sheltered lagoon surrounding French Cay Reef. Photo: Fantasy Island

Tranquility Bay Resort, Belize

Situated on a remote beach on Ambergris Caye, 10 miles north of San Pedro and accessible only by boat, Tranquility Bay is a throwback in time. Traditional, colorful cottages are positioned just yards from the water, and inside you’ll find a surprisingly modern décor and amenities. From the beach it’s a short swim to the inner edge of Belize’s magnificent barrier reef. The resort is secluded and simple, but if clean sand and clear water trump nightlife and spa services, there are few places that can compare. 

Tranquility Bay

Tranquility Bay is the ideal spot to unplug, relax and explore nature. In addition to underwater activities, there are Mayan sites to explore on the mainland. Photo: Tranquility Bay

The Buccaneer Hotel, St. Croix

This landmark property delivers enticing views of the coral-strewn shallows that sit between Mermaid Beach and blue water. Fin east along the rocky coast towards Shoy Point and look under the ledges to discover fish and lobster lurking in the shadows. Those wanting more can catch a boat from the resort dock to Buck Island. Ashore, the Buccaneer remains one of St. Croix’s favorite resorts, providing a complete vacation experience that can include golf, tennis, spa treatments and live music.

St. Croix, best caribbean snorkel resorts

A short swim from the beach at St. Croix’s Buccaneer resort leads snorkelers to a series of coral-covered rock ledges that attract a variety of tropical fish. Photo: The Buccaneer Hotel

Fiesta Americana, Cozumel

Fish and coral are abundant off Cozumel’s west coast, but many sites lack easy beach entries, and to the north of the island, prevailing currents may pull snorkelers away from land. For an easier snorkeling experience, head south to the Fiesta Americana. This all-inclusive property overlooks a colorful stretch of shallow reef just to the north of Chankanaab National Park. There are easy entry and exit points for snorkelers, and milder currents move you southward towards the park. This upscale all-inclusive property is family-friendly, with a pair of pools, a playground and children’s activities. 

Fiesta Americana

In addition to the awesome snorkeling at the Fiesta Americana, there’s a private beach with plenty of beach lounges, umbrellas, over-the-water beds, and hammocks. Photo: Fiesta Americana

Anse Chastanet Resort, St. Lucia

Some of the best coral reefs lie off the southwest coast of St. Lucia in the shadow of the landmark Pitons. They are within an easy swim from the beach at the Anse Chastanet Resort. This protected coral habitat is a favorite with divers and snorkelers, who can wade into the shallows to discover a profusion of sea life mere yards from shore. The resort provides snorkeling equipment for self-guided explorations, or you can book a boat trip with a guide to nearby reefs. The resort itself is the stuff of tropical fantasy, with rooms hiding in the palms, and a short climb up the green hill delivers sweeping views of the Caribbean. 

Anse Chastanet

The beach at Anse Chastanet provides wade-in access to the island’s finest coral reef, which begins in shallow water just 15 yards from shore. Photo: Anse Chastanet Resort, St. Lucia

Plaza Resort, Bonaire

Bonaire’s entire west coast is flanked by one of the finest coastal reef structures in the Caribbean. But only a handful of the island’s resorts are also favored by sandy beaches. Of these, the Plaza provides the best combination of amenities and water access. The reef is just a short swim from the water’s edge, and an on-site dive shop has rental gear or replacement equipment. Ashore, the all-inclusive resort features a collection of low-rise buildings overlooking the channels of a lagoon and marina. Highlights of a stay include open-air seating at the waterfront restaurant and a weekly beach barbecue that is a favorite island tradition. 

Plaza Resort Bonaire

At Plaza Bonaire, a walk to the beach from your room invites snorkeling on a whim or the dive shop organizes snorkeling trips around the island. Photo: Plaza Beach

Sunscape Curacao Resort, Curacao

Six restaurants, six bars, water sports, a spa, first-class fitness center, daily entertainment and a casino—all for one price. Well, not the casino. But if larger all-inclusive resorts are your thing, the Sunscape is the finest on Curacao. When it’s time to submerge, novices can find fish without having to venture beyond the sheltering breakwater. More advanced snorkelers can head outside the breakwater to find vibrant patches of coral on a reef that drops from the jetty rocks to depths of 10 feet, then continues a gradual slope out toward deep water. 

Curacao Sunscape

From the beach at Sunscape Curacao Resort, novice snorkelers will enjoy calm conditions inside the rock jetty, while the more accomplished can explore the outer slope. Photo: Sunscape Curacao

Snorkeling Destinations
Bahamas, Bahamas-Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas-New Providence, Bahamas-Out Islands, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Plan, Trip Ideas, U.S. Virgin Islands

See the Sea: 5 Prime Caribbean Snorkeling Destinations

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It’s hard to describe the feeling you get when drifting weightless over a living coral reef, engulfed in a cloud of colorful tropical fish and forests of sun-dappled sea fans. For some, it brings total relaxation. Others find it thrilling. Either way, a good snorkel adventure is all about one thing: location. Simply swimming out from a resort beach may yield nothing but a vast expanse of sand desert. But if you pick the right spot to don mask and fins, you can enjoy calm seas, rich sea life and easy access from boat or beach. To help you find your own underwater nirvana, we’ve rounded up some of the best and most easily-accessed tropical snorkel sites in the upper Caribbean and provided some recommendations on where to stay once you resurface.

Bahamas

Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park on the Bahamian island of Great Abaco.

Exploring the shallows in the Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park on the Bahamian island of Great Abaco. Photo: Walt Stearns

The 700-plus islands and rocky outcroppings of the Bahamas offer innumerable snorkeling opportunities. Some require small aircraft transfers, and many more can be reached only by liveaboard dive charters or private boats. The primary resort islands—Grand Bahama and New Providence—offer numerous guided encounters that include everything from family-friendly fish-watching excursions to adrenal-packed shark feeds. Visitors who range into the Out Islands can often find an interesting patch of coral by simply wading out from the beach, and a bit more swimming may bring them to a fringing reef on the edge of blue water. One of the best places to enjoy snorkeling freedom is on the northern end of less-visited Andros Island, with a stay at Small Hope Bay Lodge. The family-owned property has been a favorite of fishermen, divers and solitude seekers for more than 50 years, but its amenities have kept up with the times. The resort offers both guided and DIY snorkel adventures, including trips to the fascinating blue holes that dot the island’s wooded interior. 

Belize

Belize, Ambergris Caye reef

A lone French angelfish patrols a shallow reef in the waters near Ambergris Caye, Belize. Photo: Dennis Sabo/iStock

The green jungles and coastal swamps of Belize are flanked by the Western Hemisphere’s longest barrier reef. A number of low lying islands—known locally as cayes—punctuate these reefs, some of which are home to thatch-roofed eco huts offering a true out-island experience. If the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle isn’t for you, Ambergris Caye is your destination. Though no longer the sleepy fishing village it once was, Ambergris still manages to exude a small-town vibe, but with a first-class collection of beachfront resorts tossed into the mix. Finding a snorkel site can be as easy as finning out from the sand to one of the numerous patch reefs. A guide is usually needed for visits to signature sites such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, where regular feedings have attracted a resident population of gregarious rays and nurse sharks—relax, they won’t bite. When weather permits, the more adventurous can sign up for an all-day offshore excursion to Lighthouse Reef, home to the famous Blue Hole and the stellar shallow reefs of Half Moon Caye. Accommodations on Ambergris range from idyllic beachfront suites at low-key properties such as X’tah Ha to upscale resorts such as Coco Beach Resort or the fully-cloistered luxury retreat Matachica Resort & Spa, which are a boat ride away from the downtown. 

British Virgin Islands

BVI, snorkeling the baths

The Baths on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands provide a dramatic backdrop for snorkelers. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock

This group of islands has a number of sites where one could don mask and snorkel and explore the coral-encrusted rocks along the shores of the British Virgins, but most require a boat for access. This proves ideal for those who charter in this sailor’s paradise; land-based vacationers can book a trip through dive shops or tour companies scattered across the major islands. Perennial favorite destinations include the Indians, near Norman Island, and the Baths, Dogs and Prickly Pear Island on Virgin Gorda. For the best self-guided, wade-in snorkeling experience, travelers will have to make their way to the somewhat remote island of Anegada. In contrast to its mountainous green siblings to the south, Anegada is a low-lying coral isle covered in scrub, but blessed with one of the region’s finest beaches, Loblolly Bay. There, you can establish a beachhead at the Big Bamboo beach club before swimming out to discover Horseshoe Reef, home to an enchanting world of coral grottoes and shallow reefs. The Bamboo has cottages for rent in case you linger too long at the open-air bar and loose ambition. If the remote and somewhat rustic isn’t for you, day trips to Anegada can be staged from Virgin Gorda, where you can enjoy a more civilized stay at Little Dix Bay. 

Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman's Stingray City, tropical snorkeling destinations

At Grand Cayman’s Stingray City, resident southern stingrays are conditioned to human interaction. Photo: Walt Stearns

Popular west-end snorkel sites such as Eden Rock and the Cali Wreck are best visited when the cruise ships aren’t in town, lest you find yourself awash in a sea of day-trippers. There’s no avoiding the crowds at much-publicized Stingray City, but it remains a must-do. If possible, book your boat ride with a smaller operator who doesn’t cater to the cruise ships; try to arrive at a slack or incoming tide for best water clarity. To find snorkeling solitude, head for Rum Point, where you can fin out from the palm-shaded beach for a self-guided tour of the north shore’s shallow fringing reefs. To escape the bustle of Seven Mile Beach, stay at the adjacent Retreat at Rum Point.

St. Croix

USVI, St. Croix snorkeling

The coral reefs of St. Croix’s Buck Island Reef National Monument provide guided snorkel trails. Photo: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

A snorkel trip to Buck Island is an almost mandatory aquatic pilgrimage for visitors to St. Croix. It’s been more than 50 years since this uninhabited island and its surrounding reefs were granted protective status as a national monument. The reefs have held up well to the ongoing stream of human traffic, thanks in part to the marked underwater snorkel trails that guide swimmers through the coral mazes. But Buck Island is far from the island’s only noteworthy snorkel venue. A short swim from any of several beaches along the island’s northeastern shore will lead to less-visited shallow reefs, and there are several waterfront resorts that sit just inshore of great snorkeling. East of Christiansted, the Tamarind Reef Resort offers upscale amenities and a beach that’s just a short swim away from an excellent and well-protected shallow reef that teems with fish life. Other properties within easily reach and lively reefs include The Buccaneer on Mermaid Beach, and, well to the west, the more secluded environs of The Palms at Pelican Cove. 

 

 

Big animal encounters, Diving with Goliath Grouper
Bahamas, Bahamas-Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas-New Providence, Bahamas-Out Islands, Belize, Cancun, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Florida, Florida Keys, Play, Trip Ideas

10 Places in the Tropics for Big Animal Encounters

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Coral reefs and colorful tropical fish are what many seek when they embark on snorkeling or diving adventures. But there are bigger fish in the sea, and at select places in the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic, you can be all but guaranteed a chance to come face to face with critters that are closer to your own size—or significantly larger. Here are some of the best big animal adventures I’ve enjoyed and can endorse.

Giant Grouper

You’ll need to be comfortable performing a drift dive at depths of 60 to 80 feet for an almost-guaranteed chance to see the biggest fish on the reef. Protected status has brought the Goliath grouper back to the reefs of South Florida, where it’s sometimes possible to swim with 40 or more fish weighting 200 to 400 pounds. The annual late-summer spawn brings together the greatest number of fish, but there’s a good chance of seeing several behemoths cruising the ledges off Jupiter, Florida, at any time of the year.

Moray Eel

The teeth are wicked sharp, but that doesn’t stop Spencer Slate from hand feeding the moray eel he’s nicknamed Sundance. It’s all part of his weekly Creature Feature dives, which take place on the coral reefs near Key Largo, Florida. The big eel isn’t the only animal that comes when Spencer pulls out some tasty fish treats. There’s also a large resident grouper that shoulders in for a bite, and at least one nurse shark, destined to become the recipient of one of Spenser’s bear hugs. Next, participants in the feed are given the chance to mug with the animals themselves while the dive shop’s photo pro shoots souvenir stills and video.

Humpback Whales

Every year from January to April, pods of humpback whales pass through a region known as the Silver Banks. Located some 60 miles north of the Dominican Republic, this marine sanctuary has become a prime destination for in-water humpback encounters. Due to the long runs from shore, these interspecies meet-ups are usually staged from liveaboard dive boats. If jumping overboard isn’t for you, opt for a single- day whale-watching trip in Samana Bay.

Loggerhead Turtles

Sea turtles are among the most common large animals found on reefs throughout the Caribbean, and they are usually quite tolerant of divers and snorkelers—though it’s never a good idea to chase or harasser them. The experience turns from ooh to wow when the encounter involves a loggerhead turtle. These heavyweight hard shells can grow to 300 pounds or more, and live to a half century. A good place to find them in shallow water is among the remains of the Sugar Wreck, which is located just off Grand Bahama’s west end.

Manatee

When Florida’s coastal waters grow cool in the winter months, resident herds of sea cows move into the relatively warmer waters of spring-fed estuaries such as Crystal River on the Gulf side of the state. There, it’s possible to don mask, snorkel and a wet suit to get up close with these gentle giants. Just don’t get too aggressive or attempt to touch them, as there are strict regulations regarding interactions. This will all be explained to you during the brief ride from dock to manatee sanctuary. For more than two decades, Bird’s Underwater has remained one of the most reliable and convenient operators for manatee encounters.

Nurse Sharks

The sound of an approaching boat draws an aquatic menagerie of moochers that includes grouper, jacks, southern stingrays and nurse sharks to the sandy shallows known as Shark Ray Alley. These fish were originally conditioned to seek scraps from local fishermen, who once stopped here to clean their catch. The site is now part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and one of the most popular aquatic attractions in Belize. The nurse sharks, typically as benign as their name implies, sometimes seem to nuzzle up to swimmers, but what they are really after is a handout. Several operators run trips to the site from nearby Ambergris Caye.

Reef Sharks

The Bahamas offer a wide range of shark-diving adventures, some mild, some wild. The most accessible, consistent and safest are the reef shark encounters offered by Stuart Cove’s Aqua Adventures. You can don scuba to watch these impressive predators take the bait during a shark-feeding dive, observe them circling below while snorkeling the reefs, or climb into one of Stuart’s unique one-person submersibles to motor among them. The shop picks up at most of the major resorts on New Providence and Paradise Island, and caters to everyone from first-timers to movie crews who come here for guaranteed action footage.

Wild Dolphins

The meetings between human and cetacean that take place in the bright, sand-bottom shoals of the Bahamas are nothing like the encounters staged with captive animals. These are spotted pods of wild, free- swimming dolphin. When they approach, it is of their own free will, not institutional conditioning. Pods can sometimes be found in the Little Bahama Bank, but it is near the small island of Bimini that they make their most consistent appearances. Dolphin day trips can be booked with tour companies on Bimini, or for an extended adventure, there are dedicated liveaboards offering trips of up to a week.

Stingrays

Stingray feeds have spread to several islands in the Caribbean, but the original and still the most popular takes place in the waters of Grand Cayman’s North Sound. Here, dozens of tour boats are drawn to a shallow patch of sand where a resident group of stingrays has been conditioned to accept a free seafood meal. While participants kneel or stand in the shallows, the rays flit among them, getting up close to create memorable photo ops. There are actually two adjacent sites where the rays are fed, and for the best experience, avoid the large boats that ferry cruise-ship crowds and opt for one of the smaller operators.

Whale Sharks

The idea of coming face to face with a 35-foot-long shark might be alarming, were if not for the fact that these filter-feeding giants gorge on plankton, not humans. In fact, when you find yourself in the path of one of these slow-moving fish, they seem to pay you little mind as they move forward with mouths agape to suck in their tiny prey. The best place to swim with whale sharks is on the Contoy Banks, which lie north of Cancun and are best reached by boats leaving from Isla Mujeres or the more remote Holbox Island. Prime whale-spotting season begins in late May and runs into early September.