We will be cruising in the southern caribbean in September and want to snorkel most every day. We're looking for information, favorite places, places to avoid... anything interesting??? Thanks

Exactly WHICH islands?

Good question.... we will be a day each in St. Thomas, Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartens, and Antigua. Also 3 days in San Juan. <BR>Thanks

I am familiar with St's. Maarten & Thomas. We found St. Maarten beaches to be unsnorkelable (new word!). The surf was too rough at the 5 beaches we visited. There are some pretty beaches there - we found Cupecoy Beach to be very interesting - sandstone cliffs. <BR> <BR>There was fantastic snorkeling off the beach at the Sapphire Beach Hotel in St. Thomas (in 1990.) It's about 5 min. from the town of Red Hook. We snorkeled Magen's Bay which wasn't remarkable - though the bay is pretty. You could take the 15 min. ferry from Red Hook to St. John and rent a jeep and drive to all the beaches there and snorkel. We snorkeled Trunk Bay there which is a beautiful place, but I believe the snorkeling is overrated there. Hope you get more info. on great snorkeling!

If you are looking for one of the best snorkeling sites in the WORLD, consider Bonaire! It may not have the nightlife that other islands have; but is is very safe, uncrowded, below the hurricane belt, and full of dive sites with splendid coral reefs. Harbour Village is a 1st class resort, complete with diving and snorkeling programs. Boanire is very serious about protecting their reefs and the lack of diving/snorkeling impact on them is obvious! Just remember, nightlife is not a reason to go to Bonaire, but you'll be hard pressed to find better snorkeling anywhere. Feel free to e-mail me with specific questions.

We did some snorkeling off Vieques Island (off coast of Puerto Rico). It was OK, but not awe inspiring. The beaches however, were gorgeous and many you could simply sail up to. No one else around. Best snorkeling in Puerto Rico was off the Southwest near Boqueron, place called Buye Beach, also Joyuda Beach. The coral was amazing. Too much wave action around San Juan. <BR> <BR>In St Martin, (French side) you can find some good snorkeling off Ilet Pinel (just past Orient Beach). Especially if you have your own gear and hit the areas of the underwater park just before the organized groups do. They feed the fish, and the fish think you might have something for them. Great fun. When in San Juan, eat at Amadeus and have my favorite: baked brie with guava sauce. Whoa. Taste Treat.

When you are in St Thomas, consider taking a ferry across to St John and hitting Trunk Bay. It is a little beat up but has the only marked underwater trail in the Caribbean. Nice beach, pretty good snorkeling. The ferry leaves from Red Hook and takes about 45 minutes to St John. <BR>