Clearest Water in the Caribbean
 

I want to plan a vacation where a priority is snorkeling. Please give me some suggestions of islands where you've had good experiences with the water conditions. There's nothing worse than trying to see colorful fish in murky water.

St. John is just beautiful-trunk bay. They also have a lot of other beaches too.

Trunk bay is overplayed and over rated these days. Too many tourists have done too much damage to it. <BR> <BR>Excellent snorkeling in Cozumel, Cayman,lots of islands, but our favorite for the best variety of fish etc. and size of underwater life is Bonaire. You can snorkel from shore almost anywhere. Best I've seen out of the 50 some islands we've snorkeled.

I can't say enough about the Abacos for diving. The Abacos are a string of islands in the Bahamas. A lot of people think the Bahamas are only Freeport and Nassau an the big resorts. I would recommned suring the internet for peoples experiences around Man-O-War and Marsh Harbour. I would particularly recommend the Abaco Inn on Elbow Cay. It is ideas for family or couples, and is surronded by GREAT snorkeling. It is also cheaper than most good vacations.

I would check out the Grenadines. I saw to the bottom with the water 40 feet deep. This area is a great sailing and snorkeling area and off the beaten path. If you have more than 1 week (not necessarily much more) I would highly recommend them. <BR> <BR>E_mail me if you want more detail.

Check this out: <BR> <BR>http://www.islandhideaways.com/virggord/virggord.html <BR> <BR>For a villa designed for honeymoon privacy see: <BR> <BR>http://www.britishvirginislands.com/...ay/vistadm.htm <BR>

Regarding St. John--We just returned from a week-long vacation, and I assure you, everything BUT Trunk Bay is the CLEAREST water in the Caribbean. Lots of fish, go out to the East End. Everything is secluded and you are the only ones there, besides the fish. Definitely avoid Trunk Bay. It gets crowded, Jersey Shore crowded, and teh coral is horrible. The fish know to stay away from that horrible creature-the cruise ship tourist.

In response to the above post...I am visiting St.John next year and the beach at Trunk Bay has been highly recommended, even named one of the best beaches by Traveler. I would be interested in the feedback and opinions of others who have visited this beach. Also, to those of you who have visited St. John, which beach was your favorite for simply swimming?

Trunk Bay is definately overrated given the crowds that have overextended the resourses there. I prefer Hawksnest, Salt Pond, Waterlemon, actually almost any beach that is "off" the recommended list ... you meet everyone else who read that same list when you choose to go there! Actually some of the best snorkling is in the BVI's off Norman, Virgin Gorda, and some of the less "known" spots!

To find very clear water you need dry islands with no rivers. I'll let you on a little secret island between St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. It's Culebra part of Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgins. Great beaches, great snorkeling, great visibility. But don't tell anybody.

To: Joe Raphael <BR>A few years back, we spent a week in Culebra. I would appreciate if you would let me where you found great snorkeling. <BR>We had a car and went all over the island but we did not take a boat off shore. It is possible that our standards are more than can be anywhere today.

The best snorkeling we've ever done is on Grand Cayman. You can rent a boat or go on an excursion or walk out from the beach. One of the easiest places was at cemetary beach, it's at the north end of seven mile beach. Just norht of the cemetary there's a path. Not only clear water but an abundance of tropical fish.

Ed: I can't get the second URL you posted to work.

I also think that the Cayman Islands have the best snorkling. The reef at Cemetary Beach is unbelieveable. There is so much fish you can stay out for hours just following schools. The best part was that you could do it on your own pace. Just wak out to the water and begin snorkling.The water is crystal clear.