I am an fairly expereinced snorkeler looking for nice beaches and very good snorkeling. I define very good snorkeling and excellent coral conditions - little to no algae, good variety of hard and soft corals, etc. If the health of the reef is there, the fish population will be there as well.
I know Bonaire is rated highly by Rodale's Scuba Readers survey, but I don't want to travel all the way to Bonaire and from what I have heard has few good beaches. Which of these 3 locations would be the best for me? I would be happy to do boat snorkels and have done many boat trips with divers ( I was often the only snorkeler), although I like having access to beach snorkeling because I can snorkel more and it is cheaper.
I have contacted a couple of dive operators about reef conditions and have only gotten one response from Coral Caverns - the response was that the reef "was as healthy as it was everywhere else". That does not tell me much!
Anyone with any insights? Where would I find the best, healthiest shallow corals?
I know Bonaire is rated highly by Rodale's Scuba Readers survey, but I don't want to travel all the way to Bonaire and from what I have heard has few good beaches. Which of these 3 locations would be the best for me? I would be happy to do boat snorkels and have done many boat trips with divers ( I was often the only snorkeler), although I like having access to beach snorkeling because I can snorkel more and it is cheaper.
I have contacted a couple of dive operators about reef conditions and have only gotten one response from Coral Caverns - the response was that the reef "was as healthy as it was everywhere else". That does not tell me much!
Anyone with any insights? Where would I find the best, healthiest shallow corals?