Best island to go to for intermediate snorkeller
 

Any recommendations. Would look to go around early April. How does it compare to Hawaii/Great Barrier Reef (the 2 other places I have been snorkelling)

You'd be hard pressed to find any snorkeling in the Caribbean that compares to the Great Barrier Reef. That said Bonaire has perhaps the best snorkeling in the Caribbean but many people think the island itself and its beaches are lacking.

You'll find very good snorkeling around the majority of the US Virgin Islands, especially St. John and throughout the British Virgin Islands, especially Virgin Gorda and Anegada.

Grand Caymen has some very good snorkeling and you'll find some excellent snorkeling in the Turks & Caicos and throughout the Bahamas Out-Islands.

How about Belize? Even there you should head out to the atolls or one of the southern cayes on the reef for better snorkeling.

Hi rama007, Last year we went to Roatan and Utila and found some excellent snorkeling on both islands, easy shore access to most reefs with lots of dramatic walls. I have never been to GBR but have snorkeled Big Island of Hawaii and Kauai and IMO Hondurus was much better. In two months we are off to Vieques and Culebra, hopefully for some good snorkeling.

what else are you looking for? food, shopping, golf, history? all mentioned above are good ideas but are very varied destinations. what kind of accomodations? whats your budget?
tobago cays in st. vincent & grendadines is outstanding if you would consider a live aboard boat for part/all of your vacation. day excursions are available.

Bonaire and Curacao are popular for their diving sites.

www.curacao-visitor.com

Andros Island has about the best snorkeling now in the Caribbean/Bahamas. It is the third largest Barrier Reef. Though Tobago Caye as a spot is better for a 1 day trip for 3 hours there is nothing else really worthwhile that we have found in the Grenadines. Caneel still ranks up with hawaii but nowhere near the Great Barrier. Belize if you stay say on Turniffe you are near the second largest Barrier Reef and the 2 nice resorts do also go to the Blue Hole which is actually more spectacular than Tobago Caye. But being on Turneffe there are a number of very good to excellent snorkel spots that the resorts take you to daily. We think that Thurniffe Island Lodge is the nicer of the 2 resorts and actua,lly is less expensive though a little more up-scale but it is rustic compared to a Caneel Bay Resort The West End of curacao has 5-6 very interesting bays where along the boulders that form the bays there is good snorkeling. The limitation is you need a rental car and based upon your hotel selection the West End lovel bays/beaches are 30-45 minutes from your hotel. If you were to go there at Klein Knip you should look for a sign for Captain Good Life. He takes snorkelers out to 3 different interesting spots over a 3 hour peruiod for about $25/person but you need your gear and vest. He has some but not all sizes.I think Bonaire and Grand Cayman have seen better days due to hurrican damage, global warming and pollution killing a lot of the coral as it has in the British Virgin Islands.

Thank you all for your response. Looking at the Bahamas out islands (Andros particularly).

On Andros if you really want a lot of quality snorkeling the Small Hope Lodge is the place to go. Though it is a bit rustic and the food is good home cooking you do get to go out daily to very good spots on the reef at no charge. Just make sure you request a cottage with Air-Conditioning and possible one that has been refurbished most recently except the 2 or 3 nearest the main lodge for it can be a little noise there. Kamalale Caye is very exclusive with excellent viilas and food but it is super expensive and snorkeling cost $200 for 2 hours. We loved the place but not the price.