BETHML

I know that you have snorkeled around the world Stankase so I thought you would be a good person to ask - I love snorkeling and that is my main interest now when I go to a beach destination. My experience has been limited however to Cozumel and Akumal in Mexico and most recently Bonaire. I would like to take a trip in the next year or so to a really great snorkeling destination but sadly would like to keep my budget to no more than about $5000 total for my husband and me. Is there someplace you can recommend, not necessarily only in the Caribbean, that you think I could manage on that budget? I do appreciate any thoughts you can offer me!

Pulley

BethML, I love to snorkel as well. I've been to Bonaire and I actually like the snorkeling around St. John better. There are so many great spots to snorkel. Not sure what time of year you are going but if it's not the high season your budget would go very far on St. John. I'll be there at the end of August and will post a trip report about my snorkel experiences.

BETHML

Thanks for your reply Pulley. I have read alot about St. John and it is on my list of places I want to visit. What location on the island do you generally stay when you go?

StanKase

Pulley is correct about St. John but unless you want to go in the June-Oct. period (and risk getting a few days of bad weather due to a tropical depression more likely than a hurricane and these conditions can affect the visibility for several days after) it may be tight on the budget if it includes airfare and that is $500-$600 of the $5000. Also temps fairly consistently average 92-94 daytime highs and 78-82 lows. While villa's are available it is diffucult to find a nice 1 bedroom villa. They usually are 2-3 bedrooms.
A few better options with much better snorkeling are in Belize and Honduras (Bay Islands such as Roatan) where the temps are hot in that same period but Jan.-June is great weather and resorts with pretty good accommodations with A/C and good but not excellent food are $1500-$1800/ week per person with 3 meals including all snorkeling (usually they go out 1 or 2 times a day for 2 hours), airport transfers, tax/gratuities (but still you tend to give out $100+ in a week extra). Mosquitos are a problem but with 100% DEET you can do o.k. You do not need a car in either country. The airfare though is $500-$700/per person based on where you are in the US.
Curacao is almost as good as St. John on the WEST END only while the the nice hotels are 20-30 miles from the WEST END so a car ($300) is needed) Except for Feb.-April you can make it on $5000 with air but snorkeling not nearly as good as Belize or Honduras for the same price.

BETHML

Thank you very much Stankase. I have read a good amount about Belize and Roatan and I believe that Roatan is the choice of the two for snorkeling from shore (which would be our preference). Do you feel that West Bay is the best location for snorkeling? Thanks again for sharing your experience.

StanKase

BETHML; Actually neither is great from shore. The reef is out aways and we generally go on a power boat tour that is 30-35 FT. that takes 12-14 max. snorkelers and stops at 2-3 spots for 45 minutes each.
There are several on land near Hopkin, Belize that offer it in the package as well as Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan that goes out twice a day for 90 minutes and stops at 2-3 places every day. Generally if you give a $20 tip and tell the head of snorkeling-takes out the boat-you want different spots and your and avid anorkeler they accommodated us there and in Belize.

Pulley

BETHML, that's what I like about St. Johm - It's all shore snorkeing

Sherri1

BethML
Email me at [email protected]
and I can give you some detailed info.
Sherri