Former diver needs medicinal snorkeling trip

[DharmaMtn]

I had to give up diving last year for health reasons. However, I feel very fortunate that after getting my cert here in NC, all my dives were logged on Bonaire. Needless to say I was spoiled from the get go!

I need to find something a little less expensive overall, 3-4 hr flight from ATL or CLT, SAFE for a solo female, modest lodging (comfortable bed, a/c, secure) with really good snorkeling from shore or off the end of a dock. Don't care about 'miles of beautiful beaches' or trendy shopping but I do appreciate good food and a cold beer in the shade at happy hour. I am thinking the Bay Islands might have what I am looking for. Travel between now and xmas.

Any recommendations based upon actual experience would be appreciated.

K

 

[Yoda-X]

Would you consider a resort that offers snorkel trips that require short boat ride of half a mile?

 

[Doc]

Any recommendations based upon actual experience would be appreciated.

The Bay Islands are a few minutes further flying (with travel connections), but...

Between now and Christmas? Anywhere in the Caribbean, the sooner the better. Caribbean gets pretty iffy starting Sept onwards. In the Bay Islands area, you're mostly going to find only heavy rains in October>, and the South side is the place "to hide" during Caribbean Tropical Storm season technically beginning here in August.

You've mentioned safety twice, how about a cay off of Roatan? You want snorkeling right off the shore, you don't want/need noise.

Many people just come to Coco View simply to snorkel. It doesn't even require a boat. Unique in Roatan.



Not the cheapest place, but maybe the best place.

 

[DharmaMtn]

Yoda-x, the convenience of a 'house reef' that I can snorkel according to my schedule is at the top of my list. Will this resort you have in mind allow me to rent my own boat?!

 

[uncfnp]

For a quick fix, don't overlook Blue Heron Bridge just south of you in Florida. The down side is that you can only dive at slack high tide so typically only once a day but if you time it right you could potentially get two dives somedays with an early am and late pm or even sponsored night dive. I haven't done them but I understand there are a few other nearby areas that may be worth snorkeling as well.

 

[KathyV]

Cobalt Coast Resort on Grand Cayman might work for you; it is away from the seven mile beach and tourist areas. Tsestudo has created a great snorkeling guide for GC, see the link below, so he could probably recommend a hotel with good snorkeling options.

TESTUDO'S SNORKEL GUIDE Cayman Off the Beaten Path

 

[DharmaMtn]

Hey Doc, I've had Coco View in my sights since we made a cruise ship stop in Roatan a few years ago. You are so right, the sooner the better for a number of reasons!

 

[ron_dodge]

I had to give up diving last year for health reasons. However, I feel very fortunate that after getting my cert here in NC, all my dives were logged on Bonaire. Needless to say I was spoiled from the get go!

I need to find something a little less expensive overall, 3-4 hr flight from ATL or CLT, SAFE for a solo female, modest lodging (comfortable bed, a/c, secure) with really good snorkeling from shore or off the end of a dock. Don't care about 'miles of beautiful beaches' or trendy shopping but I do appreciate good food and a cold beer in the shade at happy hour. I am thinking the Bay Islands might have what I am looking for. Travel between now and xmas.

Any recommendations based upon actual experience would be appreciated.

K

What about a quick trip down to the Keys? It's a long drive from NC (about 12 hours from Charlotte), but there is an airport in Key West you could fly into. Or, fly into Miami and rent a car. Key Largo has a lot of sites that are snorkel friendly.