Laurie W.
Yelp
On August 13th my family went out for snorkeling on the Cabo Rey. My husband could not snorkel so he was able to intermittently use a kayak. (There are 2-3 kayaks and 3-4 paddle boards on board. They put these out after the swimmers go out.) My daughters and I snorkeled for a while and then got it a fairly fast moving line to grab a paddle board. I agree with other reviewers and say its not the best snorkeling, but we saw plenty of fish. The water was murky probably due to wave action. The crew did feed the fish a few times to get them near us. There is a 'diving board' off the back that many people loved using.
As far as food goes, it was better than I every expected. Coffee, a pastry which was yummy, and muffins were served as we went boarded and went out. We thought the lunch was good, ie. beans, rice, chicken fajitas, cheese tortillas, fruit, and something else. It was a big buffet style lunch. The bar had a frozen drink (pina coladas?), beer and other mixed drinks. If you are wanting a Coke, bring one with you. The bar had mainly juice and basic mixers. I could not have been happier with the staff. They were hard working, friendly, and helpful. (Bathrooms were cleaned frequently.)
I would be there at or before check in (10:30). They take photos which slows down the boarding process. We found a mid deck inside table, which was great for us. (The upper deck is in the full sun.) Remember to bring sunscreen, towels and a change of clothes unless you do not mind a damp bathing suit. If I ever go again I will bring my cheap flip flops to use as you get your gear and wait to snorkel. It is a process that they have mastered after doing this with big groups. When you are on the water, all your 'stuff' is left in the cabin. The crew watches out for it, but be cautious about what you bring to the boat, since they are no lockers etc. This is a big boat with lots of tourists on board. Our boat was probably less crowded since it was not high season.