Snorkel from beach?
Dec 15th, 2003, 04:53 AM
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Snorkel from beach?
Can anyone recommend a quiet resort or portion of an island with great snorkeling right off the beach? We love to snorkel but husband dislikes boats. Hiking trails nearby are also desirable. And while I'm adding to the wish list, no bugs! We'd be going in late January.
Dec 15th, 2003, 09:36 AM
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Seven Mile Beach is rightly famous for crystal clear waters and white sand, but the flip side of all that white sand is that there is little so see when snorkelling if you go right off most resorts.
Now, if you were to stay at my resort (smile).....The Reef, we do have world class snorkelling right off the beach in front of your oceanfront suite.
As for bugs, every beach resort in the Caribbean has a few sandflies around dusk, and often some mosquitoes too, but not normally that bad, and in January (middle of the dry season) they will not be too bad at all.
Now, if you were to stay at my resort (smile).....The Reef, we do have world class snorkelling right off the beach in front of your oceanfront suite.
As for bugs, every beach resort in the Caribbean has a few sandflies around dusk, and often some mosquitoes too, but not normally that bad, and in January (middle of the dry season) they will not be too bad at all.
Dec 15th, 2003, 09:59 AM
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Just dip into the water on any beach beach on Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. Serious hiking would be at Gorda Peak, National Park. End of January you won't have much problems with bugs. Check out at www.bviwelcome.com
Regine/KATITCHE POINT GREATHOUSE
Regine/KATITCHE POINT GREATHOUSE
Dec 16th, 2003, 08:28 PM
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We've been to both Cayman and St. John, and while the snorkelling was great in Cayman, it did not compare to the off-the-beach snorkelling in St. John. We stayed at Caneel, where we could choose from 7 different beaches with incredible snorkelling just steps from the sand. On our last morning, literally 5 feet from our door, we swam with turtles, stingray, puffer fish, flying fish, squid, and even an octopus!!
Dec 17th, 2003, 06:36 AM
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I second Caneel Bay on St. John. This year we saw two spotted eagle rays off of Scott Beach and a 4 foot barracuda off of Hawksnest. Three years ago we swam with several tarpon off of Scott. There are always plenty of stingrays and turtles and if you take the short hike to Honeymoon Bay, there's a beautiful coral reef with schools of colorful fish. We saw an angelfish that had to be 18 inches tall. If you don't stay at Caneel, you can rent a jeep and visit several beautiful northshore beaches--almost all with decent snorkeling, particularly around Waterlemon Cay. "St. John--Off the Beaten Path" by Gerald Singer will tell you where the best spots are. I don't think any other island could compare!
Dec 17th, 2003, 11:26 AM
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Well, I've snorkeled at both Caneel and the Presidente and the Presidente wins the snorkeling award! Of course, Caneel is a fabulous property and does have "good" snorkeling. I'm not aware of hiking trails in Cozumel, but I believe that there is hiking on St. John.
If snorkeling is your number 1 deciding factor then the best choice of these two properties is the Presidente.
I notice that you are planning late January - Caneel is often totally booked. You might check to see if they have availability.
If snorkeling is your number 1 deciding factor then the best choice of these two properties is the Presidente.
I notice that you are planning late January - Caneel is often totally booked. You might check to see if they have availability.
