Antigua and/or ?? for snorkeling
 

We have to visit a relative in Antigua in December and intend to make it our vacation. We are flying in from west USA.

Our family loves snorkeling. we have kids aged 10 & 6. Our favorite place so far has been Belize.

Would Antigua offer much snorkeling or should we pick some other island in addition?

Simply put, there's not much snorkeling on Antigua - the best of what is there is accessible only by boat.

For very good to excellent snorkeling (both "off beach" and "off-shore") visit the British Virgin Islands, the US Virgin Islands or Bonaire.

i agree with a traveller, but you should keep in mind that you may have to fly through san juan to get to another island. or you could use the small regional carriers. i think LIAT flies antigua to st. thomas, and i think WINAIR will go to beef island, tortola, bvi. i'm sure you relatives can tell you more. if you don't mind the small plane it might be an "excellent adventure" part of the trip for your kids. note - they have different luggage restrictions and you should be honest about your weight.
also grand cayman and turks and caicos have good snorkeling.
p.s. we should all be so lucky as to "have" to visit a relative in antigua. :-)

Personally now Grand Cayman, St. John, Bomaire are good options. Most of the B.V.I.'s have coral bleaching so col;or of 60-70% of coral is gray and is dying or dead except around Cooper Island and the Baths on VG. Antiqua has always been one of the worst snorkel areas in our 39 yearsof Caribbean snorkeling. Sorry.

Does anyone know how the snorkeling is in Antigua's sister island - Barbuda?