My wife informed me last night she wants to go on a snorkeling vacation (YEAH). We did that for the first time ever in Hawaii, and she wants to do it again, but she doesn't want the long plane ride. So I'm looking for the best combo in the carribean of: * great snorkeling in the water (not scuba, we're not qualified and I'm physically not able due to an ear operation) * inexpensive out of the water * inexpensive to get to In keeping with this web site, if I could rent a sailboat for some day sailing, that would be great too. Any suggestions? Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
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bummer about the ear
Snorkling is very difficult if you have ear problems. With scuba you can go up and down slowly to allow the ears to adjust to pressure changes. You can enjoy snorkling just swimming around on the surface but it is much better if you can dive to 20-30'. Almost anywhere in the Bahamas is going to be OK. Cozumel is good and probably cheaper. Areas that are used a lot tend to be degraded. Tom
Snorkling is very difficult if you have ear problems. With scuba you can go up and down slowly to allow the ears to adjust to pressure changes. You can enjoy snorkling just swimming around on the surface but it is much better if you can dive to 20-30'. Almost anywhere in the Bahamas is going to be OK. Cozumel is good and probably cheaper. Areas that are used a lot tend to be degraded. Tom
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Steve
caribbean snorkeling
You seek the unobtainable: Easy to get to is crowded. The best islands are off the beaten path. The Caribbean is no bargain, especially St. Bart and Mustique. Cayman would normally be your best choice, but last year's hurricane caused too much damage. Consider Belize, Placencia or Ambergris Cay, but not Belize city.
You seek the unobtainable: Easy to get to is crowded. The best islands are off the beaten path. The Caribbean is no bargain, especially St. Bart and Mustique. Cayman would normally be your best choice, but last year's hurricane caused too much damage. Consider Belize, Placencia or Ambergris Cay, but not Belize city.
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Brian Hanna
If you can equalize pressure in your ears
You should be able to SCUBA. My dad thought the same way as you did and even though the entire family was certified he always though he couldn't dive because he had a ruptured ear drum as a child. Only when he retired to Florida did he meet someone that convinced him otherwise. He now dives all the time annd regrets missing out on years of fun! Check with a doctor that is familiar with diving before you discount it completly!
You should be able to SCUBA. My dad thought the same way as you did and even though the entire family was certified he always though he couldn't dive because he had a ruptured ear drum as a child. Only when he retired to Florida did he meet someone that convinced him otherwise. He now dives all the time annd regrets missing out on years of fun! Check with a doctor that is familiar with diving before you discount it completly!
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Richard
St Kitts and Nevis
Look into St.Kitts and Nevis, two small islands that are serviced by small airlines from Miami. They are new (relatively) to the tourist game and are still very welcoming to Canadians and Americans. The colonial backgorund is French (a long time ago) and British (most recently. There is a Four Seasons on Nevis so you can go "top drawer" one night for dinner, but stay in one of the dozens of smaller local lodges or homes. The beaches are at the top of all beaches in the Carib. Good Luck. Don't seat not being able to dive (maybe, maybe not) You can still have a blast just chugging along on or near the surface with your spouse. Stay in 4 to 10 feet of warm, gin-clear water and enjoy the sights R
Look into St.Kitts and Nevis, two small islands that are serviced by small airlines from Miami. They are new (relatively) to the tourist game and are still very welcoming to Canadians and Americans. The colonial backgorund is French (a long time ago) and British (most recently. There is a Four Seasons on Nevis so you can go "top drawer" one night for dinner, but stay in one of the dozens of smaller local lodges or homes. The beaches are at the top of all beaches in the Carib. Good Luck. Don't seat not being able to dive (maybe, maybe not) You can still have a blast just chugging along on or near the surface with your spouse. Stay in 4 to 10 feet of warm, gin-clear water and enjoy the sights R
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mrbill
key largo
why not the Florida keys? the reefs here are great. most of the really great reefs start in about 40' or more. but the keys reefs come right up...& one of the few living reefs left... plenty of snorkel boats. however they have higher traffic and volumes than caribean. while some call them cattle boats, it may be comforting to know you're with a large group, and only a cel call away from help. the park has a glass bottom boat, and you could rent a boat or go for a smaller charter. could be cheap... you could drive! caymans should be nice.....(next year.)
why not the Florida keys? the reefs here are great. most of the really great reefs start in about 40' or more. but the keys reefs come right up...& one of the few living reefs left... plenty of snorkel boats. however they have higher traffic and volumes than caribean. while some call them cattle boats, it may be comforting to know you're with a large group, and only a cel call away from help. the park has a glass bottom boat, and you could rent a boat or go for a smaller charter. could be cheap... you could drive! caymans should be nice.....(next year.)
check this out
this is a very reasonable sailing vacation out of Tortola in the BVI. Check out the web site. The skipper is very knowledgable about the best snorkeling spots. The price includes all the food and the 46ft cat is very comfortable.
this is a very reasonable sailing vacation out of Tortola in the BVI. Check out the web site. The skipper is very knowledgable about the best snorkeling spots. The price includes all the food and the 46ft cat is very comfortable.
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higgs
the best you will do
Cheap reef diving is an oxymoron. Florida would be the cheapest. I've been to Belize and, at least where I was, the snorkeling was so so. The BVI has very good snorkeling in a number o locations. One solution to housing might be Conch charters. Renting a 30 footer from them is probably not much different than a hotel + the expense of getting to the dive spots. In the BVI you can spend a couple three hours sailing to the next snorkeling spot so you get both sailing and diving in each day. Go now. I was in the BVI about 10 years ago, and again about 3 years ago and there was a definate decline in the reefs. They will only get worse. Same with Belize. That country has been discovered by the cruise ships and they are ruining the reefs.
Cheap reef diving is an oxymoron. Florida would be the cheapest. I've been to Belize and, at least where I was, the snorkeling was so so. The BVI has very good snorkeling in a number o locations. One solution to housing might be Conch charters. Renting a 30 footer from them is probably not much different than a hotel + the expense of getting to the dive spots. In the BVI you can spend a couple three hours sailing to the next snorkeling spot so you get both sailing and diving in each day. Go now. I was in the BVI about 10 years ago, and again about 3 years ago and there was a definate decline in the reefs. They will only get worse. Same with Belize. That country has been discovered by the cruise ships and they are ruining the reefs.
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George
Key West
Key West is the best!!!!! Many dive shops around, and if you want a daysail, see Capt Tom, Key West Rowing Club. He has some small suitable daysailors that are just perfect. Best sailing I have done! Some day I will go back.
Key West is the best!!!!! Many dive shops around, and if you want a daysail, see Capt Tom, Key West Rowing Club. He has some small suitable daysailors that are just perfect. Best sailing I have done! Some day I will go back.
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Steve O.
Dry Tortugas
You can take an excursion boat or float plane out of Key West and snorkel as well as tour Ft. Jefferson.
You can take an excursion boat or float plane out of Key West and snorkel as well as tour Ft. Jefferson.
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billycole
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Tom Monroe
thanks ... and the ear problem
Thanks for the great suggestions. Great start for my research. About the ear ... I have a prothesis in place of my stapis (a little bone in the conductive hearing path). When it was put in, the doctor told me 10 ft was max. I used to freedive to 30 feet pretty routinely. (Course, that was when I was in my fargone 20's.) Don't mind it. At least I can hear!!! Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
Thanks for the great suggestions. Great start for my research. About the ear ... I have a prothesis in place of my stapis (a little bone in the conductive hearing path). When it was put in, the doctor told me 10 ft was max. I used to freedive to 30 feet pretty routinely. (Course, that was when I was in my fargone 20's.) Don't mind it. At least I can hear!!! Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
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