Need advice for first time snorkeling!

[rwallace]

Friends-
I am new ScubaBoard and to snorkeling and was hoping for some advice. I have some time off in January and I am interested in getting into snorkeling! I was hoping you might be able to recommend some great places for a beginner to get into snorkeling, perhaps in Mexico, Central America, or South America. I would like to visit a place that I would be able to see some beautiful coral snorkeling from the beach, a place that doesn’t have strong currents that would have to be managed and some place where I can travel on a budget. I am willing and would be excited to camp or stay in reasonably priced hostels. If there were additional attractions nearby that would make it even better! Please let me know if anything comes to mind! Thanks in advance!
rwallace

 

[DMDavid]

If you are in the U.S. Then a trip to John Pennekamp Park in Key Largo, Florida might be an inexpensive way to go.
But since you mentioned hostels I'll assume that you are not near Florida.

Will need more info for better suggestions.

 

[terrylowe]

Nearly any location in the Caribbean has good snorkeling. Grand cayman, roatan, Belize all come to mind

 

[BeckyTV]

For a first time trip, I would recommend Akumal in the Riveria Maya Mexico. There are a range of different kinds of housing from an all inclusive hotel to small bungalos. Akumal Bay's waters are usually pretty calm and you can snorkel right from the beach and see turtles, baracudas, rays, and lots of different fish. The coral isn't as healthy at what I have seen in other places but the number of fish make up for it. There is a small town there with a couple of small grocery stores and places to eat, and if you cross over the bridge you are in the pueblo where the locals shop and eat.

 

[Razial]

Take a look at Provenience Island Colombia. You will have to go through san Andres Island first then take a ferry or plane to Provenience. Only about 5000 people on the island and many small Pensions to sleep. Its quiet and laid back very laid back. Great reefs offshore and the people are like no other.

 

[sharknut]

Ya Pennekamp is a great park, much of the Keys has alot of wicked snorkling, I was finding alot of cool stuff just of the beach

 

[REVAN]

You will need to go out on a boat if you are diving from the Florida Keys. It is very shallow there until you get several miles offshore.

Personally, I like Hawaii. The big island has some really nice snorkling all along the west coast of the island (Kona side), and Honaunau Bay is simply fantastic with shelteered waters, easy access ("2 Steps" at the far north end of the park) and amazing coral and marine life, and I've never seen bad visibility there (100 ft is typical). There is even about a 1 in 5 chance of seeing dolphins there. They migrate up and down the coast of the island, so you never know where they will be on any given day.

Also, the rest of the Island is simply amazing. The island is 14,000 ft tall and exhibits almost every climate defined on the planet. If you want a different environment from where you are, the next microclimate is probably just 20 minutes down the road. You can even see an active volcano there.

FYI: Hoaunau bay is a little south of the town of Captain Cook.