We are a family of 7 adults and 2 children ( 6 and 4) looking for a villa or resort that has good diving in the area, snorkeling, a kids' program...good weather for the Christmas holiday AND not a horrendous trip from San Francisco!! We cannot seem to find any property that satisfies all of these requirements.Thanks

We were at Round Hill resort in Jamaica over thanksgiving. Several of our group dove and said it was good. You can snorkel the reef off the hotel beach as well as the Montego Bay Marine Park. Weather should be great. There is a kid's program as well. No worse to get to than anywhere else in the Carib. from SF.

We rented the Hanover House villa - 5-6 bedrooms, incredible architecture and amazing views.

What about the Hyatt Kauai Resort?Have heard great things about it.
Not sure if you would consider Kauai,it is closer than the Caribbean to you.I wish I lived closer to Hawaii. (I'm on the East Coast)

I have been to a few places..Kauai is a true paradise!!!When I was there I stayed at a B&B...but heard that the Hyatt,Marriott and Princeville Resorts were all great.You cannot bet the lush mountains and canyons of Kauai.

I agree. Kauai is paradise found, but I don't kow if a 6 and 4 yr. old will aprreciate it.

Well would they appreciate the Caribbean..which would cost more to fly too?

What about Maui if you are thinking Hawaii? I work with a couple who have gone to Maui almost every year with their kids and they love it. Off Wailea they could swim with the wild spinner dolphins that come in to play!

I know Hawaii is a long haul even from San Francisco, but I'm fairly certain that you would have to change planes at least once going to the more travelled islands in the Caribbean, and at least twice for the rest--your total travel time would be akin to a direct flight to Hawaii.

Many places in the Caribbean book up quickly over the Christmas holidays and have anywhere from 7-10 night minimum stays. The Caymans and the British Virgin Islands offer about the best diving + snorkeling + nice beaches combo, but I'm not certain they excel in offering children's programs, per se. Jamaica is wonderful with villa options and babysitting services, but not so hot in the diving or snorkeling departments.

Can you be a bit more specific and list your preferences in order of importance? Do you have a certain price range in mind? When you say children's programs, do you want to be able to leave your kids for the entire day to go off and do your own thing, or would some sporadic nanny time or babysitting suffice?

Look into the Cook Islands in the South Pacific from the west coast, excellent safe lagoon snorkelling. I wouldn't say its not a horrendous trip, but not bad....about 7 hours to Tahiti from LA then 2 more to Cooks....Air New Zealand does the route. There's alot of self catering accomodation in the Cooks, I've stayed at Avana Condos and would recommend it but I think there's other places you might want to consider first. Check it out and have a great trip.