My husband and I are going to be staying in Punta Cana in May. We love to snorkel and after reading many posts on different websites, we are a bit disappointed to read that the snorkeling isn't good in Punta Cana. We are happy to book excursions to other locations - we would like advice on the best locations nearby, best outfitters/companies, and options for private or semi-private trips. We're not opposed to going with other travelers, but would like to avoid "spring break" mentality. Ultimately, the best snorkeling is what we're after (i.e., lots of and best variety of sea life). We just returned from Fiji where the snorkeling was amazing with the exception of (ironically) the Coral Coast - where the reef is dead so other sea life doesn't proliferate. We've also been to Hawaii many times, so we are a bit spoiled. I can't SCUBA due to ear problems, so we stick to snorkeling. Thank you, any advice is appreciated!

Okay, I've snorkeled Fiji myself--terrific.

Punts Cana has no real snorkeling, worse than disappointing! I find it non-existent.

Only thing that might come close to okay is Saona Island excursion (off of La Romana, about 90 minutes from Punta Cana, then by boat)

It's possible to do this as a day excursion.

If you want to snorkel the Caribbean, you really need to go:

virgin Islands
Caymans
Bonaire
Turks and Caicos
Andros and San Salvador Bahamas
Tobago Cays in SVG
Curaçao


Of course,

Mexico
Roatan
Belize (fantastic there!)

If snorkeling is your thing, then these are your true options!

Thank you, blamona, for your reply! I was afraid of your answer. ;-) Perhaps we will find other water activities for our stay. We're going to Punta Cana for a wedding so location is pre-chosen for us, but we will definitely head to other islands in our future, and Belize is on our must-do list!