Best off the beach snorkeling
 

I would appreciate any and all opinions on the best off the beach snorkeling? We have a 6 yr old who loves to snorkel,as does our 13 yr. old and the ease of just stepping out off the beach would allow us to snorkel every day, several times a day.Of the nine islands we have been blessed to visit, St. John and the Turks/Caicos had the best we have found yet. <BR>So many of you lucky travelers have visited so many more places than we have and I would appreciate all suggestions and any pros and cons you might want to share with me.<BR>Thank you so very much for your time.

Hi Denette,<BR>I found Cozumel to be the best for this.<BR>The hotel where we stay (Presidente) has some of the best snorkeling on the island right in front of the hotel, and you can either go in off the sandy beach, off stone steps, or off two ladders that take you into 3' water right beside the reef. It's all roped in with buoys, and no boat or Ski Doo traffic is allowed. The depth never gets to more than about 15 to 20' and it is wonderful!

I also cast a second vote for Cozumel/Intercontinental. Your kids ( and you!) will love it.<BR>There is decent snorkeling off Sapphire in STT, Hawksnest in Antigua, Caneel and Little Dix Bay, the Ritz in STT. I want to try Turks and Caicos myself - just haven't gotten there yet!

Grand Cayman has great shore snorkeling. If you check out caymanvacations.com, they list all the condos and rate the snorkeling in front of each one.

ttt

Curacao, Anegada, many of the Grenadines.

Thank you for the recommedations to those who have posted, any more out there folks?

Any more suggestions, would be greatly appreciated. I like choices and diversity of the different islands?

any of the Grenadines<BR>Almost anywhere in Antigua, esp Long Bay<BR>Caymans<BR>Bahamas<BR>BVI

Denette, we have been to several islands in the caribbean and we always travel with our 13 and 9 year old and I will have to say the best off the beach snorkling is the turks. Totally awsome. We have been to stthomas,aruba,nassau,cancun,cozumel,stlucia,domin ican republic etc turks are the best by far especially for kids.

You all have missed the obvious choice...Bonaire, hands down. Only island I have ever been to where you could virtually walk into the water anywhere and have excellent snorkeling.

My boy who is 7 really loved snorkeling in St John. Trunk Bay, Hawksnest Bay and holding my hand we did Waterlemon Cay ( where we saw rays, turtles and huge puff (? ) starfish.<BR><BR>No waves or undertow to worry about ( although keep in mind Waterlemon can be tricky ).<BR><BR>Wherever you end up ENJOY! It's hard to keep the little "fish" out of the water.<BR><BR>L

Just back from the BVI. We found the most amazing snorkeling off the beach at Savannah Bay in Virgin Gorda. It's right around the bend from Little Dix Bay. We were on a sailboat, which certainly made it a lot less expensive!

I agree with Sandra. I love the off beach snorkeling that Virgin Gorda offers. <BR>We snorkeled off Little Dix Bay's beach and saw dozens of sea turtles, baracuda, amazing coral and stingrays. Savannah Bay and Mountain Trunk Bay are great snorkeling spots on Virgin Gorda also.<BR>

No doubt the island for snorkeling is Bonaire! I was amazed to find roadstop signs over the entire island where the reefs are right off shore. I have traveled the Caribbean extensively and this is the place!

The BVI's are pretty good for off-shore snorkeling - Peter Island, White Bay at Jost Van Dyke. Anegada had some big coral heads but it also had very strong currents - not suitable for young children. St. John is great too (but you already knew that). I was not impressed with the snorkeling right off-shore Cozumel, but we may have gone at a bad time of the year. We took a boat excursion that took us near the Xcaret reef (to a reef called Ino) and it was fabulous.<BR><BR>Peggy, I would be interested in finding out more about Bonaire. Were you there recently? I know that I have read several reports of Bonaire's reefs having been damaged by a hurricane a few years ago and I wonder if they have recuperated.<BR><BR>