Please help..We're a married couple (never been to the Caribbean) in our late 40's from Wash. DC area ready to go first week in March in search of: (
1. a quiet resort on the beach (no all inclusive)
2. weather warm enough to swim in the ocean
3. snorkeling from the beach (a must have!)
4. don't want to spend 2 full days traveling
5. ocean view rooms from $275-$325
Am I asking the impossible? Thanks for your suggestions and comments

I would suggest looking at the Curacao Marriott. It is a beautiful resort with excellent snorkeling right from the beach. The weather is nice and warm. They are currently offering a deluxe ocean view room for less than $250/night on Marriott's website. Curacao has tons of great restaurants and the food at resort is also very good (we ate lunch at the resort every day and then ate dinner out). You would probably take a flight to Miami and then fly nonstop to Curacao - we had no problems on American Airlines from Chicago. When we went, we booked a package on AA Vacations which saved us money over booking air and hotel separately so make sure to shop around. I am sure there are lots of other great options but I thought this fit your description.

the Westin on St.John or, if you don't mind traveling to a beach, Gallow's Point Resort in St.John.
These would be close to your price range

Thanks Alex. The Marriott Curacao looks great. But its a 8+ hour flight - we'll lose a day traveling. Will keep it close to the top of list though.

Take a look at Coral Gardens in Provo, Turks and Caicos. It's fronted by a reef for snorkeling, with nice, affordable, ocean view rooms...
I don't know about the flight schedules from DC, but I know American, USAir and Delta fly to Provo (Providenciales, PLS)

Presidente Intercontinental - Cozumel, MX

Vista del Mar - Akumal, MX

Gallows Point - St John, USVI

Mango Bay - Virgin Gorda, BVI

Jamaica Inn - Ocho Rios, JA

Anse Chastanet - St Lucia

I second Provo in Turks & Caicos....it seems to have all you want. Very easy to get there.....can be on the beach the very same day.

Check out Hotel on the Cay in St.Croix.
http://www.hotelonthecay.com/index.php
It's not fancy but clean,has it's own beach, you can snorkel, not too far from DC (probably have to fly to San Jaun PR first then on to STX), and it's way cheaper than $300/night. Stayed there the first week of March last year (will be there this year too) and had a quiet, relaxing time.

The Westin Casuarina in Grand Cayman also meets your needs and the flight will not be so long.

Look at Coral Gardens, www.coralgardens.com in Provo, T&C.

Yikes! 8 hours is a long flight. Definitely second the recommendations for Turks and Caicos then.

Thanks all! Just booked at the Coral Gardens T & C. Can't wait!

Please post a report upon your return!