We're considering a trip to Barbados.

I'm sure the snorkeling won't be as good as some of the places we've been (USVI, Provo, Cozumel), but wondering how it compares to some of the "just okay" snorkeling we've experienced: specifically, Aruba and Jamaica.

Comparable to those? Better? Not as good?

I'd put Barbados on the lower end of my snorkeling experience--lower than BVI, St. Lucia or Antigua, better than Nevis. I didn't try snorkeling in Jamaica, so can't really say.

I would say Barbados is on par with Aruba. We snorkeled from the beach at both and it was decent. Aruba is definitely more crowded. There aren't many spots and they get crowded fast.

IMHO, Barbados has better boat snorkeling than Aruba. The folkstone marine park is large and offers decent offshore and boat snorkeling.

Definitely not on par with Cozumel or BVI, but hey...it's fun no matter what, right! =)

Peace, Greenie

It could've been the weather, but our snorkeling experience in Aruba was a little better than Barbados. We went out on a catamaran and snorkelled at a shipwreck and saw a lot of fish but not nearly as spectacular as what we saw on St. John and Anguilla.

Barbados - Better than Aruba, not as good as USVI, BVI, Cozumel or Bonaire. Haven't been to Jamaica.

veronicalev: Is there really great snorkeling on Anguilla? I'd always heard not.
cdt: Barbados snorkeling is mediocre-- at best. I'd say the same abt Jamaica because there's not much off-beach snorkeling-- which is the kind we most enjoy.

cdt,
Barbados snorkeling is definitely better than Aruba, is on par with Jamaica, but not as good as Provo, USVI or Cozumel. Not mentioned is Bonaire, if you wish to snorkel that is the place...over 50 sites and they are fantastic, incredible coral and fish diversity and superb clarity. Tobago is also another good place for snorkelling.