Snorkeling
 

Trying to plan our summer trip but have no idea where to go this time. We have snorkeled in Cozumel and loved it but it there anywhere else that would be better and at a reasonable price? Where is the best places to snorkel?

You have to define what "reasonable price" means TO YOU in terms of actual dollars. Everybody's idea of "reasonable" is different.

Bonaire has some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean but most people are less enchanted with the beaches on that island.

Other Caribbean destinations noted for excellent to very good snorkeling include the US Virgin Islands (especially St. John), the Caymans, the British Virgin Islands, Bonaire, many of the Bahamas Out-islands, the Turks & Caicos and Belize.

Destinations with good to average snorkeling include Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda and some of the Grenadines.

Islands with below average snorkeling include St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada.

I have snorkeled (in Caribbean)in Cozumel, St. Thomas, St. John, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos, out islands of Bahamas. The very best place we snorkeled was when we stayed at Grand Cayman. We chartered a boat for our family of 5. The 2 crew took us to several places, we swam along a beautiful reef, saw a shark, lobsters and stingrays. It was incredibly beautiful.

I have been to many Caribbean Islands and throughout Mexico. The #1 snorkeling destination is Grand Cayman then Mexico IMHO.

Grand Cayman is not "reasonably" priced. Food/drinks are pretty expensive. Most people opt for condos across from 7 Mile Beach to save on costs.

We love Cozumel and have been several times. For reasonable priced/good snorkeling, I would suggest going to the Playa del Carmen area of Mexico. There is really not good snorkeling for the resort/hotel areas. You will need to take a tour/boat out to the reefs.

The best snorkeling we have found is at the Bio Ka'an Biosphere. It is a very long day getting there and back, but it was so worth it. Also, the reef in Puerto Morales, the reef around Maroma Beach, Ya-Kul Lagoon, Akumal Bay, and the centoes just to name a few.

Check at this site for more info:

http://www.playadelcarmentours.com/snorkeling.htm

We have used this company many times for various tours/trips with no issues.

If interested check out my pics on my photo site. I have an underwater digital camera and lots of great snorkeling photos from several destinations.

https://kvrlvnphotogallery.shutterfly.com/pictures/5

You guys are great! Thank you! For the reasonable price part I should have been more specific. I was thinking of the price you can go to Cozumel as reasonable. But we were wanting to go somewhere else instead of Cozumel. However, we have decided to go back to Cozumel this summer and explore more than we did last year. I think we are going to go to Play Del Carmen and explore that area for a day as well. But we always have next summers trip to still plan out so keep the tips coming!!!! I love this!

20 minutes south of Playa Del Carmen is Akumal. Akumal Bay has the best snorkeling in the area IMO. Plenty of "reasonable" lodging options.

spent a week this February in Akumal and loved it- we were in Cozumel for 2 nights before heading to Akumal and loved how much more laid back it was in Akumal as long as you avoided all the day trippers who came in to snorkel. We stayed in a condo on Half Moon Bay and would definitely recommend that area for peaceful and beautiful (Playa Caribe # 4).

actually, for reasonable prices and very good snorkeling, I think I would recommend your looking at the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. There are good choices of reasonable accommodations, food is good and almost Mexico cheap yet you have the feel and the look of the Virgin Islands since it s one of the "Spanish Virgins". Laid back vibe, safe and friendly feel yet US money and technically part of the US so most speak English with a heavy Hispanic influence.

does Puerto Rico has all inclusives there?

No, there are not any all inclusive resorts in Puerto Rico.

We are booked for PR next month. We didn't choose that destination for the snorkeling.

Best reasonable priced as good snorkeling as Cozumel is Roatan.

Another option, even better snorkeling (but beaches are okay, similar to Cozumel not as nice as Playa Del Carmen) try Belize (Ambergris Cay)