My husband and I have been to the Caribbean a number of times because we live on the east coast and love to snorkel. Because snorkeling is so good in Cayman, we went several times, but because the island is unappealing in every other sense, we're not interested in going back. Been to Bonaire because the snorkeling was supposed to be great and liked it just ok. St. John is our favorite island for what we enjoy most-- snorkeling, snorkeling, snorkeling (and handsome surroundings) We never run out of new places to go-- right off the beach. But we're interested in trying a new island next time. I keep hearing that Anguilla has absolutely gorgeous beaches. But are they really more beautiful than Caneel, for example? Mainly: is the snorkeling pretty much non-existent? That's the sense I've gotten from reading guidebooks. I don't think we'd enjoy just a sit-on-the-beach, hang-around-the pool vacation. Other places we've been-- Jamaica, Turks, Barbados, etc-- had nice beaches but mediocre (at best) snorkeling. In short, is Anguilla worth going to? And if so, where should we stay? We'd like a terrific property which has good snorkeling right off the beach (as at Caneel, for instance). Thank you!! This will be a special anniversay-- so we want it to be a special and memorable place.

Anguilla is definitely worth going to. The snorkeling can't compare to Grand Cayman for example, but it's okay. The best snorkeling off the beach is on Shoal Bay. There are no luxury horels there but Shoal Bay Villas looked nice. Also, you can take snorkel trips to places like Little Bay and Prickly Pear.

We love to snorkel so that was major concern for us as well. But the island is so wonderful otherwise that it wasn't that big of a deal. The beaches are gorgeous. best I've seen so far. The food is excellent and the locals are super nice.

But there isn't much more to do aside from laying on the beach, exploring, snorkleing, relxing and eating. So if you more activities, you may want to try another island.

If you do choose Anguilla, we stayed at Frangipani which we loved (but no snorkeling from the beach).

I agree with everything Kristen said, but I doubt that we'd go back to Anguilla. (Don't get me wrong, we LOVED the island and the people and all of the dining choices.)

We also really like to dive and snorkel, and it's just not very good there.

You might look at Virgin Gorda - lots of GREAT sites there, and of course Little Dix. We stayed on Mahoe Bay and found some of the best snorkeling we've ever done there - sea turtles and all!

We used to go to Cozumel every year - fantastic snorkeling and diving there; some of the best - but it has gotten a little too touristy for us. The Intercontinental Presidente there has amazing snorkeling right off the beach.

You might also think about the Caribbean coast of Mexico from Puerto Morelos down to Tulum. LOTS of great snorkeling and fantastic places to stay. Maroma, Royal Hideaway, Ikal del Mar, or maybe a private beachfront villa with housekeeper, cook and driver, etc.

We are avid snorkelers and have loved Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Little Dix Bay, the sister resort to Caneel, has good snorkeling right off the beach and in addition they water taxi you to any one of nine different great beaches for snorkeling, or whatever. We loved the snorkeling in Belize, but there was nothing from the shore, a boat is required. On Rodale's Scuba site, they rate St Lucia as the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. We have never been there, but are going to read up on it. I was little surprised on your Bonaire comment. We found it to be the best shore snorkeling we have seen, though of course the beaches are not very pretty.

Diana...Cozumel and the BVIs are on my list of island to visit next.

Where on Mahoe Bay did you stay? And how are the beaches on Virgi Gorda?

Would you recommend Cozumel or Virgin Gorda first? We plan to get certified before our next trip.

slk...Belize is also on my list of places to go! Did you enjoy it there? I think we would stay at Victoria House on Ambergris...

Kristen,

We did Ambergris Caye last year, and stayed at Banyan Bay. Although we enjoyed Ambergris, if you really like good beaches, you will be disapointed. The beaches on Ambergris pretty much sucked compared to 7MB on GC, and I know you have been to Anguilla, which seem to have world class beaches as well. The beauty of Ambergris lies offshore on the reef. Another reason we wouldn't return is because you need a boat to get out to do anything like snorkeling. The downtown area is very interesting. The charm and warmth of the locals was some of the best we've encountered in the caribbean. They truely are wonderful people. Like I said before, we enjoyed our vacation there, but knowing where you have been, (GC & Anguilla), which you said you loved both, I'll be suprised if you like AC. On the bright side, Victoria House was gorgeous, and without a doubt one of the top properties there. I'd say VH or Banyan Bay are the two nicest places to stay while visiting Ambergris. Don't forget to do shark-ray alley, and also try to do a beach BBQ. Let me know if you need more help qith AC....

slk230,
We have been to St Lucia, and did find excellent off-shore snorkeling there.
We stayed at Anse Chastanet on one of the trips and the snorkeling there in the marine park was super! The shore diving was also very good.

Kristen, We stayed at Mango Bay and also a villa on Mahoe Bay on VG. AMAZING snorkeling - the best we've ever seen - and we did not begin to see the whole reef.

As to VG or Cozumel first, go during off season. They are letting waaay too many cruise ships dock there, and too much too quick development. You will have to pick dive sites there carefully though. There are plenty of good shallow newbie sites, but there is also some very challenging deep diving with currents that new divers should not try. You may want to wait until you have some dives under your belt before you go there in order to get the full benefit. We went there when we were newly-certified, and didn't have any problems, but they lose people every year there.

We did not dive on VG because we had not brought our equipment, but with the great snorkeling, we didn't feel we missed much. I guess I'd suggest VG first, and maybe Coz after you've been certified and done some diving. The beaches on VG are very nice, but don't quite compare to those on Provo or Anguilla.

Thanks very much to folks who have responded. I've got questions about Virgin Gorda and Little Dix. Many years ago when we sailed in that area, I remember finding some great snorkeling-- but that was off a boat. (The Baths, e.g. while interesting, aren't great for snorkeling.) But I don't remember that the snorkeling right off the beach is very good at Little Dix-- nowhere near as good or various as Caneel. Is that not correct? (We don't like having to go out on boats with other people-- plus I often get sea-sick on motor boats.) I'd be very interested in hearing more about Virgin Gorda snorkeling. What we liked about Caneel, by the way, (tho the food was mediocre at best) was that there were so many many different beaches and every single one of them had good snorkeling. You could just wander-- or swim!-- from one to the other all day long and never run out of great things. On Gorda, I had the feeling that one had to take a car or water taxi...

Thanks Diana and Scott!

We did have great time on AC in Belize, but...getting snorkeling trips can be time consuming. First, you must take a boat. Second, they want at least four, if not six people, before they will go out. Third, there are so many snorkel trip "companies" that it can be hard to get the numbers some time. But with that said we went out 3-4 times and really enjoyed it. We stayed closer to town. VH is the nicest resort on the island, but really not walkable to town, which we found to be a plus. If you're into adventure other than snorkeling, check out the jungle lodges in Belize. We split our trip abd had a great time at Chaa Creek in the jungle, river canoing, rafting and cave exploration were great fun. Not many places can provide such variety.

We have been to most of the caribbean islands and central america. I love Anguilla for relaxation - but I think you answered your own question - there is no snorkeling anywhere like there is at Caneel. We love it for the same reason as you - varied snorkeling right off the beach (in fact our son's middle name is Caneel!)