Best island for snorkeling

Travel discussion for St. John
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Linward
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Best island for snorkeling

Post by Linward »

We LOVE STJ but, for our 2012 vacation, we think we want to go somewhere we havn't been before.

For those of you who have travelled to different places, which Caribbean island is the very best for shore snorkeling (variety/number of fish, healthy coral) - in your opinion?
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sea-nile
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Post by sea-nile »

Bonaire
Cozumel

Kauai- not Caribbean but good
PL3
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Post by PL3 »

wwbbd
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Post by wwbbd »

Just came back from a snorkeling vacation to Grand Cayman and was absolutely blown away by the snorkeling on the east end. If you check the Cayman Islands forums on Trip Advisor you can see photos and descriptions of the snorkeling on the east end and north side.
PA Girl
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Post by PA Girl »

I haven't been but my snorkel-obsessed mother thinks Cozumel compares to STJ. Her underwater pictures from their last trip are quite spectular. She mentioned that they did a number of boat trips (reefs a short distance from shore) and the guides were great.
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kristen1206
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Post by kristen1206 »

Grand Cayman without a doubt.
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BuffaloGal
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Post by BuffaloGal »

Also just came back from Grand Cayman. Really nice snorkeling right off Seven Mile Beach. Easy to reach and so clear. I saw my first spotted eagle ray just off the public beach. It can't replace St. John for me, but it was really beautiful.
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kristen1206
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Post by kristen1206 »

Would love to see your pics BuffaloGal...I got married on 7 Mile Beach in 93. Then we took the kids back a few years ago. Definitely more built up than St. John.

Cemetery Reef and Governor's Reef off Seven Mile Beach are great. And in Georgetown, Eden Rock.
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nothintolose
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Post by nothintolose »

Can I add to this question in asking if the other islands have the option of walking off of the beach and snorkeling, or do you have to charter a boat to snorkel?
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kristen1206
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Post by kristen1206 »

Grand Cayman has many shore snorkeling opportunities. Turks and Caicos, for example, has a couple but there are many others offshore.
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Linward
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Post by Linward »

Thank you all so much for your replies/suggestions. We'll definitely look into them.

PL3 - Tobago and Amergris Caye look beautiful, but we're a little concerned about safety issues there??
Life is an adventure.
Treasure each moment.
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