We're cruising in January and February to Caribbean and are trying to decide itinerary based upon warmest water temps for good snorkeling where we can comfortably stay in water for longer than a few minutes. HELP!

I've been watching surface temperatures for the past few winters at www.wunderground.com and the warmest tend to be in Jamaica, Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent.

However, few people will complain about water temperatures in the Virgin Islands, St. Martin, Antigua, or Grand Cayman.

A little riskier: north shore of Puerto Rico and DR, Cancun area, Turks & Caicos, and of course the Bahamas.

cdt: Thanks for the info! What have you heard about Anguilla and Tortola in January. We are beach snorkelers and heard Shoal Bay is good but don't know if water is very warm there. Thanks.

So you're telling me that we are going to T&C for winter break and the ocean water will be too cold to go into? That doesn't make me feel too great considering there isn't anything else to do there but go in the ocean. At least that's what I'm told.

I looked at wunderground.com but couldn't find the zip code for TC to check the water temp. would you happen to know it?

I look at the "tropical" link at wunderground and there's a color-coded map with surface temperatures.

Everyone has different standards; we like our water pretty warm. We went to Provo in early December and thought the water was barely warm enough - not as warm as VI or Jamaica.

If by "winter break" you mean President's Day Week, I personally would not choose Provo. I know others will disagree with me.

I'm talking Dec. 23rd tho the 30th. Will the water be cold?