Here’s my deal. My husband and I want to take a vacation for the kids, 8 & 10. So we’ve decided it will be a snorkeling vacation and we want to be able to snorkel from the beach whenever we want rather than taking a boat out. We want to keep the price around $1000-1250 pp air/rooms and want a kitchen for br/lunch. We are looking at 5 nights in the beginning of July (this year). I’ve gathered from reading here that (for our budget) St John should be the first choice for snorkeling off the beach and second choice Grand Cayman?

Since we don’t plan trips early, most of the reasonably priced villas are already rented in St John and the airfare is appx $100-150 more to fly to STT than Grand Cayman (from San Antonio).

We have been looking at the Royal Beach or LaCovia on 7MB because they are offering pay for 4 and get the 5th night free. I think Royal Beach is on the “other side” of the Marriott and LaCovia says “in the heart of the beautiful Seven Mile Beach and boasts over 400 feet of white sand. Located across from the Hyatt entrance”. On tripadvisor there are 2 reports each and they are favorable. Is anyone familiar with either of these?

So, is Grand Cayman a good choice for us? Are there several places to snorkel from the beach?

Thanks!

You might want to check out here. http://www.ticondos.com/TIspecial.htm We've stayed at the condos twice in the past and they are great. There is snorkeling right from their beach. If you look at the photos on their website, you can see the small reef in the aerial view. You might want to call and check since Ivan went through the pool has been empty and they are fixing things up. But they weren't taking reservations before and now it looks like they are. The place is great for kids as they have a really nice wading pool, and then there is the regular pool also, along with a great swim up bar. The description you have that states '400 feet of white sand' won't have good snorkeling. Here's another site that is great for all the condos info. Rates snorkeling, etc. http://www.caymanvacations.com/

Hi
Can't speak to St, John, but we are going to Cayman in July and staying at The Reef, not on 7MB. It does offer snorkling on site and there is a dive operation, they are condos with kitchens. They are offering 4 nights 5th free. Check the website, very good site and helpful. Do not know what your air will cost, but I am sure you can add it all up to see if this is within your budget. Have been to Cayman before, great island!

We also stayed at the Reef last year and loved it! We went snorkeling almost every day (from the beach, from a chartered boat, and at different spots around the island).

I have been to both. St John we stayed at Concordia Eco-tents. We loved them. They were interesting, educational,shared pool, million dollar view at a approx. $100 a night. Your kids would LOVE the loft beds.
Grand Cayman we stayed at Sea Cliff Resort. New, beautiful condo with semi-private pool, at approx $200 a night. Couldn't believe the value.
Both have excellent snorkeling from the shore. Snorkeling was our main activity and we loved both places. Grand Cayman probably was a bit better in the varitey of sea life we saw and also has Stingray City which was great. Much easier driving on GC. St John had the edge on beauty!
You cannot go wrong. I would take my kids back to either in a heartbeat!
(and will as soon as I get the funds!

we have also stayed on Grand Cayman, we rented a house on the north side. We loved it, we felt safe everywhere at anytime. The snorkling was great, everyday we went somewhere and it got better and better. snorkling off 7 MB was not the best, but you will find the places to go, they are well known. Have fun

Thanks! I really appreciate the information and I'll look into these other recommendations.

Grand Cayman is a good choice. Check out caymanvacations.com. You'll see specials, beach condition and how good snorkelig is near the beach.