Snorkeling Vacation
 

Where is the best snorkeling in the Caribbean? We are most interested in moderate price, laid-back atmosphere, family-style vacation for next spring. Have done Puerto Rico and loved it but are open to other ideas, too! Also, has anyone ever taken scuba lessons at age 45+? Any hope for me? I loved snorkeling so much, now I want more.

Look into St Croix! It's got some of the best snorkleing and diving anywhere, and sounds like the sort of place you want. We've been traveilng there for years, and got certified to dive there too! e-mail us for suggestions on places to stay, etc.

Check out the Cooper Island Beach Club on Cooper Island in the British Virgin Islands. http://www.cooper-island.com. It has a dive shop on the island, the price is right, and the snorkeling is good at the end of the island. You would be able to take a diving course. It is one of the best values in the Caribbean for somebody with your expressed interests. It is one of the few places in the Caribbean to which we would return. If you like snorkeling in Puerto Rico, this will blow your mind.
While the snorkeling is good from shore, you only have to walk a few feet to get on a dive boat to go to another site. The food is good too and you have facilities to fix your own if you choose. Off season rates make it even a better value.

We've snorkeled all over the Caribbean and without a doubt the BEST is Bonaire. Scuba at 45+? Yes! Go for it!!!

We go to Cozumel, Mexico every winter. The snorkeling is fantastic. The thing I love most is how accessable the reefs are. To snorkel from most islands you must take a tour or rent a boat to take you out to the reefs. Not so on Cozumel. You can walk right into the water from a hundred different spots and be on top of spectacular shallow reefs. We snorkel three times a day right from our condo patio. This easy access saves a ton of money and lets you feel relaxed about snorkeling on YOUR time schedule, instead of some tour boat's schedule. If it rains, we just sit on our balcony until it stops and then into the water again. Your whole snorkeling trip isn't ruined if the weather turns just at YOUR appointed departure time. Its great.

Have snorkeled around the world and Bonaire cant be
beat,great shore snorkeling,excellent sea conditions
with the snork. starting right at shore in many places. casual island good places to stay , great
guided snorkeling program, good restaurants, some
interesting national park areas. Please feel free to
email me direct for more specific info

Turks & Caicos islands, specifically the island of Provodenciales (Provo) has the best snorkeling and scuba sights anywhere. Very uncrowded.

To Mike and your fake email address...Provo isn't gonna stay quiet and deserted long if you keep telling people about it.

OK, I know this is gonna sound real dum, but we have never been snorkeling before and are also new to the Carribean....we are looking forward to snorkeling while on honeymoon in St.Lucia, but want to be a bit cautious....what are the chances of running into a shark, etc while snorkeling. I'm not worried, but my fiance just watched another shark documentary that has made him a bit paranoid. Can somebody put his mind at ease....please. Thanks

I was just getting ready to write a similar response regarding sharks! I have an irrational fear of them (as many people do) and it (I guess) is because of all the "Jaws" movies and documentaries. We are going to Ocho Rios in January and I am already worried - and all we are doing is snorkeling also. What are the chances of running into a shark (one that will attack anyway) in Ocho Rios, Jamaica??? One reason that made me scared is because when we were at Montego Bay last year, we went on a glass bottom boat (we were planning on going snorkeling later in the week) and the guide said 'sometimes you will see eels, stingrays, and sharks'. Did he mean this as a warning? Does the guy in the boat look for sharks or any other danger? How dangerous is it when you are with a group of people? I, on the other hand, have the phobia - not my fiance. He says he will stay right with me and look out for me if I was that worried about it. I am telling you - I would go into cardiac arrest if I even SAW a shark! A lot of people have these fears - so I know I am not alone. But what is the chance of getting attacked in Jamaica? One in a thousand, one in a hudnred thousand, one in a million??? What are the chances compared to Australia, California, Florida, etc.?

Second earlier message about St. Croix. Especially Buck Island (about 5 miles away). From the Buccaneer Hotel you can rent day boat cruise to the island. This particular hotel has several beaches. Is private and has excellent dining, etc. Well worth the $$.

L.E. & MISSY ,I don't know the odds of meeting up with a shark , but I can tell you that I've snorkled in Bermuda,Puerto Rico,St.Martin,St.John,Barbados,St.Lucia,Cozumel,C ayman Brac and numerous other places during the last 10 years(yes I'm water logged)and I've yet to encounter a shark .Mostly all of the snorkleing areas are within a fringing reef and sharks rarely enter this shallow areas.Snorkleing is a wonderful experience , please don't allow unfounded fears cause you to miss an unforgetable part of your vacation . HAVE FUN !!!!!!!!

Charlie what can you tell me about the snorkeling in <BR>Barbados. Snorkeled Bonaire last year and it was great, better than the great barrier reef in Australia.

I've been snorkelling since 1959 and have done over 50 sites and have seen one shark the whole time. Don't worry. Just keep your arms at your sides and don't touch anything or stick your hands in any holes.

Ron it's some 6 years since I last visited Barbados but ,as I remember, the east coast has a dozen or more bays most of which are good snorkleing.The west coast is a beautiful rugged area that has excellent sites to hike to for snorkleing, but you need to go only when there is no heavy surf. Sorry I can't remember more . My personal favorite is St. John , with the numerous trails leading to secluded beachs for undisturbed snorkleing, in fact,I'll be there in July for a couple weeks doing my thing . Adios !!

Just read your note on snorkeling in St. Lucia. Congratulations on your up-coming wedding. When are you going to St. Lucia? Where are you staying? <BR> <BR>My husband & I leave in 2 1/2 weeks for Anse Chastanet. We are big snorkelers and have been told the island's best reef is just off their beach. <BR> <BR>I've seen a slide show of the place and the underwater scenery looks spectacular. No mention of sharks at all! <BR> <BR>

Hi Betty Li; <BR>In response to your question, we are going to St. Lucia in September (14th-21st) and are staying at the Sandals Halcyon outside of Castries. We are really looking forward to it. We were also considering Anse Chastanet, and plan on taking a Cataraman tour down to Soufriere to take a look and visit the falls & botanical garden. You are in the most beautiful are of St. Lucia...surrounded by nature. Post us a message on how it went, we may go to Anse Chastanet on our next trip for our first anniversary if we really love St. Lucia (which i'm sure we will) Have fun. P.S.:I posted a message on your other message re: air conditioning, don't worry, I'm sure you will be ok,,,,let us know if it was ok-this was one thing that did deter us from going there.