staples05

Hello~
I am planning a 4-night/5-day trip with a friend and we both really want to snorkel.

I was just wondering if you guys can make suggestions of a resort that has a package that includes snorkeling at a descent price.
Or Would it be a better idea to just book the resort/hotel with snorkeling listed as close-by excursion? If so, which resort do you suggest? I am just not sure how I can look into how good those excursions would be. ....

We are flying from NYC and we can basically go anywhere (preferably close,, hopefully <6hr flights). except Dominical republic and Cancun.

Thank you very much!!!! =D

Katie_Valk

Belize has the largest barrier reef in the hemisphere and the coral protrudes thru the surface and easy to learn and swim about. We also have areas with walk in snorkeling

volcanogirl

Agree, Belize has some of the best snorkeling we've ever done. Particularly Hol Chan. That's about the amount of time we spent on Ambergris. If you wanted to go somewhere domestic, have you looked at Key West at all? They have fantastic snorkeling as well, plus a lot of other activities.

hopefulist

I'd fly directly to Roatán - you can snorkel from shore in lots of places around the island so no need for resorts or packages imo. Happy trails!

staples05

Thanks for the inputs. My friend and I definitely want to go out of the U.S. Belize was our first choice but I got a lot of feedbacks saying 4 nights is way too short for Belize, which I agree..

Only reason why I was looking for a package deal is because we will need some guidance as to how to even start snorkeling.. We would like a place where that sort of things are already sort of set up,, so we don't need to worry about getting to the beach and find a place to snorkel..

Any suggestions??

volcanogirl

Everywhere that we've gone has had companies that take people out snorkeling. They provide the equipment and will instruct you on how to use it if you've never done it before. The snorkeling we did in Belize was done via boat trip since there was sea grass in the area where we were staying. Your best bets are Belize, Mexico, and Roatan. Personally I don't think four days is too short, but up to you.

PuraAventura

Try Riviera Nayarit, is north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. One of the best resort for snorkeling in Mexico that is not so overcrowded! There are a lot of good local tour operator on site that will help you with this! Otherwise you can already check information here:

http://www.rivieranayaritfun.com/fiv...hes-in-nayarit

http://www.rivieranayarit.com/snorkling

Hopefully this helps!

Laurent

suze

I'd look at the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Akumal, Tulum.

I love Puerto Vallarta but the snorkeling and diving is much better on the Caribbean side than the Pacific side.

suze

http://www.locogringo.com/research/scuba.html
look here

Katzgar

"I'd look at the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Akumal, Tulum."

this makes no sense as the oper already knosa the the western carib is too far for a short trip. look at the eastern carib...like the Bahamas for shorter flight times.

suze

They were looking at Belize originally. The Mayan Riviera is slightly closer with easier more frequent flight access and plenty of opportunities for beginning snorkeling.

Katzgar

don't worry about getting started snorkeling as all carib destinations are crawling with people willing to teach you.

SiteC_er

With 4 days I'd recommend Akumal

kja

Puerto Morelos is another option.

TC

I have been to Roatan, Belize, Cozumel and many other islands in the Carribbean. You don't need a package. My first advice would be to purchase your own snorkel equipment. It doesn't need to be expensive, but the mask needs to fit <u>your face</u>. Much of the equipment that is rented will not fit properly. That makes a <u>huge</u> difference in your ability to learn and enjoy the sport. If you are struggling with a leaking mask, nothing else is fun.

You will also need fins, so don't skimp on that. Many places have just enough current that without fins its difficult to keep up with a group or return to your starting place. Keeping in mind that rentals will cost about $10 per day, a $40 investment in your own equipment is worthy.

I have purchased from this Internet site. It is reputable.
http://www.leisurepro.com/p-pckdpsp/...ling-package?=,,

Belize -- the reefs are all far enough from shore that you do need to take a boat tour. If you aren't comfortable snorkeling, that is a costly way to learn. Each trip out in a boat is anywhere from $50-$100 depending on the length.

Roatan -- there are nice reefs near shore from West End, however, it can be a bit itimidating to get beyond the breakers to the really pretty part without a little practice. Its not easy to fly to Roatan. We found it took an entire day to get there and two to get home.

Cozumel -- there are many resorts with easy walk-in snorkeling and some very easy short boat tours to the bigger reefs. The North end resorts don't have breakers, so its quite easy to snorkel from shore. This gives you the ability to snorkel for a few minutes at a time while learning and getting comfortable. We are in and out of the water snorkeling several times each day. I just keep my snorkel bag right beside my beach chair. Once you feel accomplished, you can sign up for 2 hours to a half day on the bigger reefs at a cost of $35-$65.

U.S. Virgin Islands -- this is where I learned to snorkel. The reefs are beautiful and easy although, they too, require a boat tour.

With only four days, I am in agreement that the East Coast of Mexico is your best location. From NYC you should be able to fly directly into Cozumel requiring no bus to your resort after landing. Playa del Carmen and Akumal would be a flight into Cancun + a bus south to the resort. We spend part of each winter in Cozumel. When we go there from Minneapolis, it is a 3.5 hour flight, non-stop to CZM. We leave in the morning and we're on the beach by lunch time. Since the flight is a "turn around", we also have a half day on the beach on our last day before flying home in the late afternoon. For a short trip, its a great option.

Have a look at this hotel in Cozumel -- Hotel B. The snorkeling in front of this hotel is spectacular!

http://www.hotelbcozumel.com/eng/default.cfm

Enjoy!

staples05

you guys are the BEST!!! Thank you very very much!!!!
All the responses are very very helpful.
Thank you so much!!

BonnieKarns

I live in the Riviera Maya, about an hour south of Cancun, about 20 minutes north of Akumal. This is definitely the best place to snorkel, dive, etc. Also very easy to get direct flights to Cancun, then public transportation from there. VERY easy. The absolute best snorkel place around, especially for novices, is Yal-Ku in Akumal. You can rent equipment there - definitely get fins and use the life jackets. It's a huge lagoon, like an aquarium. You can see reviews and photos for it on TripAdvisor. I advise getting there first thing in the morning, before it gets crowded.

PS - I bought all my own equipment and practiced in the pool until I was comfortable!