That's the main question: Where's the snorkeling best? And what's the most upscale place to stay? Quiet, great beach, fine accommodations-- and best off-beach snorkeling.

Thanks!

poss, I haven't been to Long Island (yet!) but I can tell you about Eleuthera. The off-beach snorkeling can be wonderful. We've encountered turtles, barracuda, and everything in between. One year, about four years ago, there had been a hurricane and much of the fish were gone. But they did return for our next visit. We've rented houses several times in the Governor's Harbour/Palmetto Point area. There are really no upscale resorts with the exception of Cocodimama, which is new and on the Caribbean (actually the sound) side of the island. You could find a lovely villa for sure though. Very undeveloped, 100 miles long, and many deserted beaches to explore and snorkel from.

Here is the nicest place we've rented, but there are many more luxurious places - check out Double Bay, there are posh homes there. Also, decide if you want the clearer waters/stiller air of the sound side, or the waves and breezes of the Atlantic side. Both have snorkeling (we like the Atlantic better, but that's probably because we live on the flat Gulf of Mexico and love the waves).

http://pinksandbeach.net/

Eleuthera is very beautiful and has miles and miles of deserted beaches, but not much else. If you are looking for a nice resort and great food, Cocodimama is about your only option on island.

Harbour Island, just off the coast of Eleuthera has several nice places to stay, some excellent restaurants, a bit of shopping and one of the best beaches in the world. There are 2 dive/snorkel outfits on island so you can see some of the amazing dive sites, like a civil war train, sunk in a hurricane on a barge on its way to Cuba. There are also alot of wrecks in the area as well.

Try these websites. www.eleu.net and www.myharbourisland.com

Have a great trip.