Shore entry snorkel destinations???

[beachgal]

My husband & I are looking for suggestions on where to find good shore entry snorkel caribbean vacation destinations. We'd like feedback on Curacao & Puerto Rico. Scuba Diving magazine ranks both of those places as good. (We've been to Bonaire many times (8) and are just looking for something new/different). I'm leaning towards Puerto Rico...

Any advice would be very much appreciated!!!

Thanks!

 

[Dave C]

I am an avid snorkeler and went to Culebra and Vieques Islands, Puerto Rico last year. Culebra, especially, had good and very easy shore snorkeling. The island is very undeveloped, uncrowded, and safe. It's actually closer to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands than it is to the main island of Puerto Rico.
Here are some photos I took:
Above water: Culebra & Vieques Puerto Rico above water 2008 Photo Gallery by Dave_Clausen at pbase.com
Underwater: Culebra & Vieques Puerto Rico underwater 2008 Photo Gallery by Dave_Clausen at pbase.com
I haven't been to Bonaire, but from what I have read, I think the snorkeling may be better in Bonaire, especially the visibility. I found the beach snorkeling visibilities in Culebra to be generally 30-40 ft, with an absolute maximum of 50 ft in a few isolated spots. Still, for someplace different, I recommend Culebra. It is fairly easy to get to because you can find many cheap flights into San Juan. Vieques was interesting too, but the snorkeling wasn't quite as good as Culebra.

I have done some research on Curacao (I almost went there this year), and it sounds like the snorkeling/diving conditions are very similar to Bonaire. Although Curacao has a much larger population than Bonaire, if you go to the west end of the island (where the best snorkeling is), it's not supposed to be very crowded.
Hope this helps - Dave

 

[Sammy Bono]

Dave C your photo Albums are beautiful! Thanks for the link to see them.

 

[beachgal]

Dave:
Thanks for your reply.
As I said we'd like to go to Culebra and/or Vieques Islands, but were concerned about the price & flights available to either from SJU. Please share what airline(s) fly there & approx. cost RT.
Where did you stay? We would be looking for a small apartment or condo...we're not really interested in a hotel.
I appreciate any help/info you can provide. Also, your photos are fabulous!!!
Thanks,
Chris

 

[isuchopper]

Chris-

If you've been to Bonaire 8 times, I'd give PR a shot. We split our honeymoon between Bonaire and Curacau last year and I've also been to both PR islands. Curacau is wonderful, but most of the reefs are pretty far out and the diving is fairly similar to Bonaire.

V and C off of PR, though, offer some great secluded dives/snorkels and have some good top side activities as well. Grab a room on Vieques , rent a few scooters and check out the beaches that the Navy has managed to keep free of tourists for decades. Check out the bio-bay via kayak one of your evenings and bring your fins along.

Hope this helps.

Dave- great photos.

 

[robint]

My husband & I are looking for suggestions on where to find good shore entry snorkel caribbean vacation destinations. We'd like feedback on Curacao & Puerto Rico. Scuba Diving magazine ranks both of those places as good. (We've been to Bonaire many times (8) and are just looking for something new/different). I'm leaning towards Puerto Rico...

Any advice would be very much appreciated!!!

Thanks!

Since you have already been to the BEST there is, not much else in Caribbean is going to be as good. Bonaire is the best.

But... have you considered Roatan? Places like CocoView Resort and Fantasy Island, on the southside, have fantastic snorkeling (as well as diving). They are both all-inclusives. You can shore snorkel or go out on the boats, all included in the price.
Watch these videos: Welcome to CoCo View Video
We are divers, but if I were not, I would definitely love just snorkeling there.... you can see seehorses, eels, squid, octopus, and eagle rays right there in the shallow waters right in front of your room! Every morning at breakfast we would all discuss what we had seen right there, walking along the walkways over the water.

Or....consider Hawaii, Kona or Maui. It is another place with good snorkeling.

robin

 

[ImParticipating]

Sorry Beachgal - I can't help you with the Caribbean. But for other people attracted by this thread's title... one wonderful shore-entry snorkel destination is the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. (Near Exmouth and Coral Bay.)

Warm water, coral reef very close to shore (touching the land in some places), very diverse marine life, many places have only a short walk from a carpark, and if you come at the right time of year you can do a whaleshark tour on your day off. If you search for posts by Alcina and Gudge you'll see some awesome photos.

Only problem is that it's a remote location, even for us Aussies. So no good for Beachgal at all, sorry.

 

[Corey O.]

Hi beachgal,
I live in Aguada Puerto Rico. I prefer to dive, but I have been snorkeling most weekends and I have been very pleased. With the exception of a few spots that I outlined in a different post, you will not find as much fish here as the rest of the caribbean. Sharks are a very rare site. There is, however, plenty of wonderful coral and beautiful water. I will try to link the thread where I posted on the trackback.

 

[Corey O.]

well, here is the link:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/greater-antilles/284496-page-ranking-july-need-advice.html