gruve

Hi, I know this question gets asked quite a bit but I havent really found a satisfactory answer. We need some snorkeling in our lives, we have young kids, we want to go in early June, and we've never been to the Caribbean. Please Help!

I love to snorkel shallow reefs - under 10 ft. Something about not having to haul a bunch of gear and really just get in and swim is my idea of heaven.

That said, I have growing kids now, 2,5,7, and I know, especially the older 2, that they would go nuts if I could get them on a beach with some reef features.

The best off beach snorkeling I've ever encountered is on Belize's barrier reef. While this would be an amazing experience, its hard to get to, accommodations are very basic, and being a dad, I'd be really on guard given that security is a concern in this part of the world.

I have found that some resorts, like the Barcelo south of Playa Del Carmen (which I've been to), create jetties, artificial reefs or have actual reefs right at the shore. Again, security in Mexico is a concern, and, quite frankly, we've been there more times than I can count (before kids) so we're ready for something new.

In general we're really very active and adventurous, but security and health are not gambles we're willing to take with our kids despite doing some pretty crazy things prior to having them.

I've never been to any of the Caribbean islands. I would like to find a resort or hotel with a nice beach and accessible reef or reeflike structure - something that attracts fish and is shallow.

gruve

Ideally I would really like to find a family friendly place where security isn't a concern and not just a resort , though I would settle for a resort if I had to. We're primarily going for the beach and snorkeling but other activities like jungle hikes would be a plus. I really don't like the idea of 'excursions' organized by a tour guide, which is why snorkeling right off the beach is the focus, although i guess it would be ok for a jungle excursion. We have our own snorkel gear too, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the "drive down this road and get out and jump in" method (which I've done a thousand times without kids). Again, an argument for the hotel with beach snorkeling.


Other pertinent info: We're in Austin, flights to carib. are just a little cheaper than Hawaii (500-800 v 750-1000 - which adds up across 5 tickets) and no jet lag is a plus, carib potentially has shorter travel times and i hear is less expensive once you get there, We're not planning on having more kids but Zika is still kinda freaky.

Places I've been: Most of the mexican gulf coast and yucatan, belize, costa rica once, Panama from Bocas all the way to the Darien. With the exception of a few resorts, I would say that most of these areas have the potential for a substantial security risk to families. Extreme poverty a couple blocks from a tourist area will always have this problem.

Places I'm considering: Anywhere in the Caribbean really provided its accessible in less than 12 hrs travel. I've spent a day looking at everything from the Florida Keys to Trinidad. So far, Virgin Gorda, St John, Turks and Caicos, Cayman, and St Lucia seem to be mentioned most.

Of those, VG, St John, and Cayman seem to have fewer security issues. St Lucia seems to have the most mentions of risk, however, Anse Chastanet, seems like exactly what we're looking for with the exception of price tag. St Lucia also might be hardest to get to. Flights seem to stop in barbados or port of spain rather than direct from mainland.

Cayman, St Thomas, Bahamas, TC, and PR are the cheapest and quickest to get to with direct flights.

Any suggestions that would help me narrow in on a place would be REALLY appreciated. It's all a bit overwhelming.

gruve

Sorry, I know this is a long post, but I just wanted to share my research. Surely there are a ton of dads trying to show their families the best time without sacrificing safety or their kids college fund. Any thoughts help! Thanks!

Bassguy66

For calm beach snorkeling with fantastic reefs, and tons of sealife, I'd highly recommend Seven Mile Beach Grand Cayman.

I'd look into getting a condo right on the beach. Depending on which one you pick, your walk in snorkeling can be amazing.

Try checking out www.caymanvacations.com They list all the different condos along 7MB and where they are located.

I would have recommended St John, but with young kids, hauling them all over the island every day to different beaches might prove to be difficult. In Grand Cayman, you can choose a place where you can walk out your back door and snorkel.

RoamsAround

You'll find very good to excellent walk-in snorkeling on St. John. 2/3's of the island is a National park so it will also give you plenty of hiking opportunities. Look at Caneel Bay is staying at a beach front resort is important to you or consider renting a villa if you don't mind not staying on a beach.

Virgin Gorda has some fantastic off-beach snorkeling and some very good hiking trails. Consider renting an upscale beachfront or beach access villa on Mahoe Bay - uncrowned 3/4 mile long golden sand beach with calm gin clear water and a spectacular "triple reef" that begins about 50' from shore and runs the entire lengthy of the beach. You can snorkel for hours and not see everything. The villas have a western exposure so you get great views of neighboring islands and cays as well as the setting sun. In short it doesn't get much better anywhere in the Caribbean.

If off beach snorkeling is a high priority skip St. Lucia - snorkeling there is good but it doesn't hold a candle to the other islands mention in my or the previous post.

WWK

We often visited Grand Cayman when our kids were young. We stayed at VILLAS OF THE GALLEON, a condo development very close to town, right on the beach.

GC is a great choice with kids along b/c the water is usually pretty calm. You can visit Stingray City for the day, or tour the turtle farm or botanical gardens.

Restaurants on the island are family-friendly and many of them are within easy walking distance of VILLAS OF THE GALLEON.

In case you want something a bit more luxe than VILLAS OF THE GALLEON, check out THE AVALON.

Jimmie

If your budget allows, Caneel Bay would suit your needs well. It's expensive, and to be honest it's overpriced for what you get in room and services, but the location is stunning with lots of good snorkeling on-property and nearby. Family friendly.

Your other ideas of Cayman Islands and Virgin Gorda are also good. Virgin Gorda is harder to get to, but worth the trip. I would add to Mahoe Bay villas the options of Guavaberry Spring Bay (more basic accommodations but a perfect spot and super friendly management) and Mango Bay resort.

gruve

Wow, so first, thanks so much for the detailed responses. I really appreciate getting thoughtful answers with actual lodging recommendations.

I'm going to research all these options today, but I thought I might ask a few things that are more subjective:

First, how would you rank the 3 options - GC, StJ, and VG in terms of natural beauty? While snorkeling is primary, I do like the whole dramatic jungle hills meeting the ocean thing. St Lucia Pitons come to mind.

Also, how would you rank the 3 in terms of 'good for kids'. And by this I mean security (from humans - can we walk around care free?), safety of the island (strong currents, bad infrustructure, dirty water, that stuff), accommodations, ease of getting around, fun activities, are there other families there, atmosphere (ritzy adults, people selling drugs, singles making out in hot tubs - all things that make a family uncomfortable).

Finally, I know GC is easy to get to. I can hop 2 flights and be there in 5 hrs. The other 2 seem a bit tougher, but maybe you can help me define "hard". It seems that in both cases you'd fly to St Thomas and take a ferry. Not sure how far the ferry is from the airport, not sure what the ferry terminal looks like (beggars and dealers? no place to sit? gotta worry about luggage theft?), not sure what the ferry ride is like but it seems pretty close and I would assume very scenic.

Oh, and I know this is blasphemous, but what is access to internet like on the 3? Checking email once a day on weekdays might keep my blood pressure down.

Again, THANKS so much.

PS - are they all comparable in price, not just lodging but activities, restaurants, amenities?

gruve

Also, should i rule out TC? (Turks and Caicos)

Tabernash2

My family loved The Buccaneer Resort on St Croix.
http://www.thebuccaneer.com

Click on my name and you can find two threads detailing what we liked about it. They have children's activities, too. Snorkeling off the beach, plus, tour boats pick you up at the resort, for an easy day-trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...n_Islands.html

Food is great. Service is great. Breakfast buffet (included) is great. The place is wonderful.

gruve

How are the bugs in early june on these islands? I've been killed by mosquitoes in July in the Yucatan, and I've been chewed by sand flies in Panama in December. Just wondering if there's any rhyme or reason out to bugs out on the islands.

RoamsAround

Grand Cayman is a flat arid island so no lush mountain rainforests/jungles. The beauty here comes from bright turquoise waters and white sandy beaches rather than lush greenery.

Virgin Gorda and St. John are hilly with some dense forests (more dry forests than rain forests) so they have more of the lushness you are seeking.

All three are safe, Family Friendly Islands with beautiful beaches and the clear waters you desire. I don't know where you've been in the past but some of your concerns about illegal drugs and hedonistic lifestyles are simply unfounded on the islands you are considering.

For what it is worth, one island is not necessarily better than the others, they are just different islands and as the day in France, Viva La Difference!

Yes getting to STJ or VG entails taking a ferry - depending on day and time they leave from either Charlotte Amalie (about 8 minutes from the airport) or Red Hook (about 15 minutes from airport). No need to worry the ferry terminals are safe & clean and you won't be hassled or concerned about luggage theft. Hundreds of tourists and locals take the ferries everyday without incident. FYI - you can also take an island hopper flight to VG instead of the ferry.

The internet is available on all three islands.

You'll find similar pricing on all three islands.

Lastly, it's the tropics, bugs are there no matter where and when you go. How prolific they may be at any given time is up to Mother Nature. You can lessen your chances of an unpleasant close encounter by using common sense. Use a good insect repellent when hiking in dense forests or areas around salt pond and other standing water (breeding ground zero for mosquitos) and try to avoid walking on the beach (especially near vegetation) at dusk. Refrain from using perfumes, colognes, scented hair sprays, body splashes and similar products as the sweet aromas act as an attractant.

Hope this addresses some of your concerns.

gruve

Thanks Roams. As I mentioned, I've been to a lot of coastal regions, so I know the spectrum they run. Some are nice family beach towns, some are hidden gems, others are more seedy.

Cost wise, GC seems to be the least expensive to get to, with the least fuss getting there. But, you are right, I definitely long for the lush jungle/beach atmosphere of central america.

As far as bugs, i figured as much, but I know some places have a 'mosquito season', which would be nice to know ahead of time.

I looked at Caneel Bay, which looked great, except I didn't see a picture of a single kid in any of the tourist photos. Seems like a romantic getaway, and while i have great kids, I don't want to spend my days barking at them and apologizing for them while they play in the sand.

Right now I'm weighing GC/7mile vs Mahoe Bay area. Mahoe is more my speed, 7mile is just an easier trip.

I feel like I've written off Turks and I don't have a good reason why. I don't remember seeing any beach snorkeling maybe.

I also noticed there are some rentals in Boden Town on GC. Is that worth a look?

Bassguy66

If you want to be close to all the restaurants and be on the nicest stretch of beach, close to several walk-in snorkeling sites, you need to stay on or near 7MB.
Near the southern end of 7MB there is a great reef out in front of the Treasure Island condos. It's about 75-100 years offshore, but it's teaming with fish. The downside of staying on the southern end of 7MB is the entry into the water can be a little rocky in certain areas.
The middle section of 7MB is loaded with places to stay, but it's more about the beach. On the northern end of 7MB you have Cemetary reef which is also loaded with fish, and a very short stroll from a few different condos listed on the website in my first reply. There are other places around the island that are excellent snorkeling, but you will need a car to get to them.....something I highly recommend anyway. And of course you must take your kids to Stingray Sandbar....an trip they will never forget. Oh did I mention GC has some of the best restaurants in the islands? Just bring your wallet!! ;-)

gruve

best meal i ever had was from a guy selling conch ceviche from his catch he'd just hauled in on his panga boat. I've had a few other ultra fresh caught seafood meals like that. Those are the ones I would've paid anything for and sometimes had to pay nothing. Funny how that works.

WWK

gruve,

T&C has pretty good walk-in beach snorkeling, and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean ( Grace Bay). However, it's also one of the priciest islands in the Caribbean, as is Grand Cayman.

We go pretty frequently with out adult kids. If you want info on it, just post again, and hopefully Blamona ( T&C expert here) or I can help answer some questions.

Now about bugs: Lush islands do seem to attract more of them, but if you're going to the Caribbean, you need to expect some bugs and wildlife, almost regardless of where you go!

Tabernash2

St Croix weather is pretty much the same year round. Temperate, and not too wet, average temp in the mid-70s.

Mosquito repellant was provided complimentary at The Buccaneer. But we didn't really notice any of them, or any other bugs, even without using the bug spray.

I'd say that St Croix is great, if you don't need a Disney-version of the Caribbean. It's a simple island.

We stayed every night @ The Buccaneer resort.
But we rented a car one day to explore the island.
And took a cab into Christiansted (so?) for a local dinner one night. Found really good food there.

We liked the awkward charm of St Croix.

Tabernash2

PS. The Buccaneer also provides free snorkel gear and kayaks.
Every week, guests are invited to a walking tour of the old, family-owned plantation, with the owner. Followed by a hosted reception, with snacks and cocktails and native dancers. The Buccaneer adds a lot of value to your stay. Walk-in snorkeling, too.

Jimmie

Virgin Gorda is stunning, but in terms of getting there, you can have easy(ish) or cheap, but it's tough to have both. If your budget can handle it, it would be a great choice.

My impression of Caneel Bay is that it's quite family friendly -- it's not as honeymoon-oriented as Peter Island, for example. Every time we visited there, the beaches had lots of kids. I think St. John is probably the best fit for your desire for quality walk in snorkeling, and a lusher landscape.

mnag

You have received some great advice here. A couple more thoughts. Grand Cayman and VG are very different not just in topography but the overall feel of the island. I love them both and it really depends on what you are looking for...GC is more touristy with some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean. Also some wonderful shopping. Lots of activities for kids like turtle farm, dolphin discovery, botanical gardens in additional to snorkeling/beach etc. VG is quaint, small and more of a entertain yourself island. Its not touristy, an off the beaten path destination. VG is home to the gorgeous baths (wonderful/unique experience), and is more lush/hilly as mentioned before. Decent restaurants but nothing like what you would find on GC.
We love VG and particularly Mahoe Bay villas. GC is nice too although a very different experience.
St John I would describe as less touristy than GC but more so than VG. Turks is a dry island with stunning Grace Bay beach. In terms of feel, its closer to my description of GC than the other two. Many high end condos to choose from on Grace Bay.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.