Snorkeling. It’s by far one of the most popular activities in the Caribbean, enjoyed by anyone and everyone, by travelers of almost all ages. It’s what you daydream about when you’re planning a Caribbean trip: warm water, abundant sea life, a window into another world. These are the best hotels for snorkeling in the Caribbean, with one major criterion: there has to be easy snorkeling access right at the hotel — without the need for a boat excursion.
Anse Chastanet — St Lucia
St Lucia has some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean, with the island’s dramatic landscapes continuing below the ground, too. And the reef at Anse Chastanet is just 10 metres beyond the beach.
Buddy Dive Resort — Bonaire
Bonaire should always be at the top of any snorkeling vacation list, and Buddy Dive is the island’s premier diving and snorkeling resort, much of which is just steps off the edge of the property. You can even check out the hotel’s innovative Coral Restoration nursery.
Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort — St Lucia
The resort’s Sugar Beach is located at the corner of the Anse des Piton Marine Reserve, where you can snorkel right inside a UNESCO World Heritage Site covered in reefs and magnificent silver-hued water.
Coral Gardens Resort — Turks and Caicos Islands
Coral Gardens is right at the Whitehouse Reef snorkeling trail in Providenciales, and it’s located on what is truly an incredible beach. And for more serious snorkeling, it’s a short haul to the reef right on Grace Bay for even better underwater sights.
Tranquility Bay Resort — Belize
Located right on the Bacalar Chica National Marine Park on Ambergris Caye, and it’s all right outside the door of your beachfront cabana: access to the longest reef in the hemisphere.
Sunset House — Grand Cayman
The top diving hotel in one of the Caribbean’s top diving destinations is, unsurprisingly, also a great place for snorkeling, And there are great options right toff the shore in an area called Sunset Reef.
Palm Island Resort — St Vincent and the Grenadines
This is the best of both worlds — there is great snorkeling right off the shore, but your’e also within easy striking distance of the Tobago Cays, one of the world’s great snorkeling spots.
Rockhouse — Jamaica
One of Jamaica’s coolest boutique offers some of the island’s most unique snorkeling, in and around the cliffs of Negril and a suprisingly diverse selection of marine life from parrotfish to turtles.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club — Bahamas
The Exumas are known for the unmatched clarity of their water. You can snorkel like 007 (Thunderball was filmed right nearby), check out fascinating rock formations and even snorkel with some swimming pigs if you want.
Westin Dawn Beach — St Maarten
This is a great family hotel, and Dawn Beach is a beautiful place. While the snorkeling quality can depend on the tide, there’s a superb reef here right on the edge of the shore.