I spent a week at Grand Cayman last summer and loved the snorkeling. All the reefs were easily accessible from shore, there were some great formations, lots of fish, easy for the kids.

What can we expect in Aruba?

- strong surf conditions?
- reefs accessible by shore (i.e. don't need a boat)
- fish

Thanks for your help!

have not snorkeled in Caymans...returned from Aruba 2 weeks ago...snorkeled nearly every day, however, did very little snorkeling off-shore due to poor visibility caused by Ivan passing by to the north...boca catalina and arashi, slightly rough with poor visibility...malmok, very rough...baby beach, poor visibility until passing "feeder", then nice but slightly rough...baby beach reef quite damaged but did see one barracuda, approx. 4 feet...relied on tours for snorkeling, DePalm 4 hour "snorkel sail" was very nice, excellent wreck sites and very good visibility...best snorkeling was in waters surrounding DePalm Island...while island itself nothing to get excited about, reef and marine life, particularly blue parrot fish, were outstanding...did the half day tour, coul'nt imagine staying 8 hours...enjoy!

i AM IN YOUR SAME SITUATION. MY FAMILY AND I GO TO CAYMAN EVERY YEAR BUT THIS YEAR WE ARE HEADED TO ARUBA. TO ME CAYMAN IS THE MOST WONDERFUL PLACE ON EARTH, THE PEOPLE, THE WATER, THE BEACHES....I HOPE ARUBA COMPARES. I AM A SCUBA DIVER SO I AM LOOKING TO COMPARE DIVING. I HEAR GREAT THINGS ABOUT ARUBA AND UNDERSTAND THEY ARE VERY DIFFERENT IN TOPOGRAPHY. I AM GOING IN NOV AND HOPE ALL REMAINS OF IVAN WILL BE CLEARED UP AND THE WATERS BACK TO NORMAL. I'M SURE I WILL LOVE ARUBA BUT CAYMAN WILL ALWAYS BE TOPS TO ME.

Having lived in Cayman, and 11 trips to Aruba, I can say the snorkelling is better in Cayman, as the water is a bit more calm and clear. However, there are three good spots in Aruba:
1. the wreck of the Antilla, take a 1/2 day snorkel cruise to get there, a bit far from shore.
2. De Palm island, the blue parrot fish are amazing-very large, plentiful and tame. More interesting than stingray city.
3. Rent Jeep and drive dirt road past Boca Grande beach, water is a bit rough, but there is a large reef-protected beach with good snorkelling close to shore.
You should try windsurfing, too! Aruba is awesome, very different from Cayman.

You must try the Tranquilo cruise which takes you on a wonderful drift snorkel over hard and soft corals big as cars, just one after another.

For hard core shorkeling: park your rental car and swim out the inlet at Mangel Halto for the same great reef.

I don't think any of you are going to Grand Cayman very soon. The photos of Ivan are devestating. Go to blueoceanart.com/ivan and see what a professional photographer is submitting to the insurance companies. They are keeping it very hush-hush.

Well folks if you are going to compare one island with the other you started the wrong way. Caymans are the caymans, Aruba is aruba. They all have their nice and not very nice snorkeling sites. You just have to remember that their location is different and that's what makes a difference in snorkeling. So you got to take each island for what they are and for what they have to offer. And stop comparing otherwise you won't be able to get to discover different places. The difference in water conditions helps you become a better snorkeler, so you get a chance to improve your skills. Just be safe, have fun and enjoy your vacation.