What are the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling?
November 14th, 2009 | 
Author:
We are avid snorkelers and our vacation plans are based ONLY on the HOW GOOD the SNORKELING IS! We are aware of the much publicized devastation of coral reefs over the last couple of years. Last year we tried Grand Cayman and were disappointed. Lots of dead or bleached coral all over. Since it was our first time there we couldn’t tell if it was from the recent damage. Where is the snorkeling less affected, in other words, where it is just as good now as it was several years ago? We would prefer a place where there is enough good snorkeling you can do on your own without having to go on a boat and be subject to the boat’s schedule.
Thanks!
Thanks everyone! I forgot to mention that we want to go somewhere NEW (for us), and we’ve already done some great snorkeling at BVI (including St. John), Bonaire, Cozumel, and Belize, as well as Grand Cayman.
We are thinking about Turks & Caicos, Antigua, or Curacao. Someone told me that in Turks & Caicos, the coral has not been affected.
Leinster Bay (St. John): With easy access from land and sea, Leinster Bay is filled with calm, clear, and uncrowded waters with an abundance of sea life.
Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster and is often deserted. The snorkeling is dramatic, with ledges, walls, nooks, and sandy areas set close together. At this spot, only about 182m (597 ft.) of land separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea.
Posted in snorkeling
Leinster Bay (St. John): With easy access from land and sea, Leinster Bay is filled with calm, clear, and uncrowded waters with an abundance of sea life.
Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster and is often deserted. The snorkeling is dramatic, with ledges, walls, nooks, and sandy areas set close together. At this spot, only about 182m (597 ft.) of land separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea.
References :
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/caribbean/0217020831.html
http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com/article.jsp?ID=43836
If you like snorkling why dont you try the maldives instead of the caribbean, have been to the dominican and only snorkling was on the trips and not that great, went to cuba last year that was better, went snorkling every day from the hotel.
We are going to the maldives on thursday got our snorkling gear ready can not wait.
References :
Try the coast of Belize. I remember of hearing about some Cays and isn’t their like the biggest tropical reef in the Western Hemishpere there?
References :
Curacao, just nextdoor to Bonaire, is also a great snorkling destination. Not as great as bonaire, but still a very exiting destination. Most of the snorkling sites are accesible brom the beaches, so no need to rent a boat all the time.
The coral bleaching unfortunatelly is happening in lots of places.. Sea temperatures are changing faster than the corals can adapt to it.
http://www.curacao.com
References :