My husband and I want to go to a white sand, blue water island where we can snorkel off the beach. Moderate, on the water, beach bars and local restaurants. We are 60's and love to explore. Moderate fare from Boston.

For any meaningful responses you need to define what "moderate" means to you in terms of actual dollars. What's "moderate" for some may not be "moderate" for YOU. Also let us know what time of year you are planning to travel as that can greatly affect prices.

Now, for starters you can find white and/or light golden sand beaches and very good to excellent walk-in snorkeling in the following locations:

1) At various spots along Grace Bay on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos
2) Off most of the beaches on St. John in the US Virgin Islands
3) Off many of the beaches on Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
4) Off some of the 35 beaches on Anguilla
5) Most of the beaches on Anegada, BVI's
6) Along many of the beaches on any of the Bahamas Out-Islands

I agree with Roamsaround....we need more details.

Here are a few choices of places with fantastic walk in shore snorkeling left off the list above:

Grand Cayman
Riviera Maya
Cozumel
Roatan
Bonaire

The more details you share, the better and more accurate responses you will get back.

Been to
- Anguilla too (Prickly pears was great)
- Kozumel was fantastic
- we did some snorkeling too in Guadeloupe, the 'réserve Cousteau'

No idea of the costs from Boston, we come via Paris.

White sand blue water is not the best for snorkeling. You need reefs and coral.

Whathello,

The fares vary according to time of year. Also Boston has fewer non-stops to the islands than New York (JFK). Just something to think about as you plan.

WWK
I live in Waterloo (hence the name), close to Paris.
I meant I have no idea from the US.

Thank you all so much. What is the best way to get to St John? Fly to St Thomas? Moderate means under $200 a night. We are the end of April. We like to eat locally, have an amazing view, and explore. We also like jungle. We have mostly gone to Costa Rica, and really want to try the Carribean. Have been to cruise ship stops- that's it. Dislike cruising.

Yes, easiest way to St. John is to fly into St. Thomas then take a ferry from either Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook to St. John - which ferry is better depends on time of arrival in STT.

Doubtful you'll find beachfront accommodations on that island for $200/night, even at end of April but you should able to find accommodations at at a guest house in town for that budget.

If by "jungle" you mean dense rain forests St. John may not fill your desires. It has more dry climate forests (2/3's of the island is a national park) - not"jungle" like in Costa Rica.

For islands more like Costa Rica look at Dominica - and eco-tourist's delight with lots of dense rain forests, waterfalls, 100's of mikes of hiking trails but not much walk-in snorkeling and darker sand beaches instead of white sand. Likewise, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada have dense rainforests but will lack the white sand beaches you crave. For what it is worth, islands with dense rainforests will usually have dark sand beaches and little, if any, walk-in snorkeling.

If you can wait until May you may get a better rate for hotel.

Try roar an Honduras, or Cozumel Mexico

Most of Caribbean is much higher price point including eating that Central America (think 2-4 times average). Central America is cheap compared

The places mentioned above are the most expensive in Caribbean to begin with

And once there food will cost a bit, so double your budget for food

For me, I live Anguilla, one of my favorite islands, but snorkeling is lacking. Same with Bahamas out islands (again favorites but snorkel just average)

St. John would fit the bill for you but you need to increase your budget. Same with caymans and TCI. Especially in April, as still peak season. Starting May prices drop a bit but still average over your budget

Thanks everyone. Given me a wealth of information.

Look at Akumal

"Jungle" takes a larger island with mountains to catch rainfall. Many of the Caribbean islands are small and dry (desert-like). If you want "lush" for sure, that's something to consider. St. John does not have jungle, for example.

Also agreeing with the comment above about snorkeling, the best involves coral reefs not a smooth white sand beach.

Mexico gives more bang for the buck than the Caribbean. Look at the Mayan Riviera area including Isla Mujeres, Akumal, Tulum.