aimeebd

I am trying to decide where to go for a week in Jan. We are looking for a reasonably priced ($3000 or less for 4 adults and a toddler) place on the beach with great snorkeling right there. Stayed at Maho Bay on St John in the past and loved it, but my 2 year old is a light sleeper, so we need to have a place with a quiet bedroom we can close. The adults are planning to rest, lie around and snorkel, my son needs sand, water and some geckos and he'll be satisfied.

I have been thinking about Virgin Gorda - a villa through Guavaberry,

or a rental villa on Cooper island (not sure whether we might get bored - how easy is it to rent a dinghy or do a boat trip here?),

or a villa on Vieques (most seem to be on the north side - worried about the water being rough),

or Culebra and tamarindo estates, or a villa near Zoni beach (can't find much info about these - they say snorkeling is good, but how good is that?)

Any thoughts or even other suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks

wtggirl

In my opinion the best snorkeling in in Grand Cayman, for off the beach snorkeling (and I have been to most of the islands). Of course 7 mile beach is nice, but with many big resorts. I have been told there are great beach houses on the east side of the island. She said snorkeling was outstanding right off the beach there. Let me know if you are interested.

poss

I'd avoid the east end of Cayman-- too windy. Try Discovery Point near the very "end" of 7 mile beach. Nice and quiet and the condos are great. Nice little pool also. The snorkeling is quite good right off the beach, and just a short swim from that beach is the "cemetery" where the snorkeling is very good. Lots of good snorekl places around cayman. Downside is that Cayman is not a handsome island. Nothing at all like beautiful St. John.

townclose

I'm going to be accused of advertising again, but I really have no affiliation to this house except that we're stayed there 5 times...

www.maidenplum.com

on the north side of Grand Cayman, near rum point, 175-225/night, private beach, just gorgeous! check out the pics on the website.

wtggirl

I did not mention my favorite snorkeling beach by name....it is cemetary reef in Grand Cayman. Yes, it is behind a cemetary and not well known by cruise passengers! Anyone else been here? It's great!

RandyK

Ditto to wtgirl's recommendations----Cemetery is great snorkeling at 7MB--I've snorkeled in many islands and Costa Rica . You can walk right in the water and swim less than 100 yards . I just hope Ivan leaves some beach----I expect our place to lose its beach for a while, Ivan sounds as if it will be VERY bad for Cayman.

ltilson

Hi, Randy....where did you go snorkeling in Costa Rica??...checking it out in March and would love to find a place for a few days that you could snorkel from the shore..Caymans, St. John's & Bonaire are about the only places that I have been where it is easy to just jump in and start seeing fish....Lori

jfahey

Try Secret Harbor on St. Thomas - - condos, quiet, beach, snorkel out front - we've stayed there = A-OK.