It’s one of the most popular activities for travelers to the Caribbean — snorkeling. There’s just something about grabbing a mask and fins and exploring reefs, coves and beaches that calls on the adventurer in all of us.
But while you can snorkel at just about any beach in the Caribbean, if you’re a die-hard snorkeler, you want more. You want a place to stay where the snorkeling offerings are vast, convenient and exciting.
Because some hotels are just that much better for snorkeling, whether it’s easy-to-access reefs, equipment or robust snorkeling tour programs.
While that’s often the case at great dive hotels, some hotels that aren’t dedicated dive hotels are also great for snorkeling.
Here are our favorite hotels for snorkeling in the Caribbean, from Turks and Caicos to Curacao.
Small Hope Bay Lodge, Andros, Bahamas Tucked away on the mysterious, spectacularly beautiful island of Andros in the Out Islands of The Bahamas is Small Hope Bay, a charming lodge that was the first dive resort in the history of the Caribbean. And now, more than a half century later, it’s still a Mecca for watersports lovers, particularly snorkeling. Whether you take the daily trip to snorkel shallow sites along the Andros Barrier Reef, or enjoy the diverse range of snorkel spots along the shore, Small Hope Bay has it all (even night snorkeling). It all adds up to the region’s best hotel for snorkeling — and a true bucket-list destination.
Coral Gardens, Turks and Caicos Beaches don’t get any more beautiful than Grace Bay, but in one particular corner is the area’s best snorkeling: the boutique Coral Gardens resort. This stretch of Grace Bay is ultra-calm, thanks to a nearby coral reef, while there’s another great reef to explore right at the edge of the beach.
Lions Dive, Curaçao The island of Curaçao has long been one of the best-kept secrets in Caribbean diving, and that’s equally true for snorkeling. At Curaçao’s premier dive resort, the snorkeling options are endless, with a particularly good tour offering, whether you want to explore the Tugboat shipwreck or Director’s Bay.
Anse Chastanet, Saint Lucia This beachfront resort in the intoxicatingly beautiful town of Soufriere in Saint Lucia is a terrific snorkeling spot. All snorkeling equipment is free at the property’s on-site scuba center. But the real fun begins at the Anse Chastanet reef, which begins just about 30 feet from the edge of the beach, with more than 150 different species of marine life. There are also snorkeling boat trips on offer. It all adds up to a perfect snorkeling hotel.
Fort Young Hotel, Dominica While Dominica is most famous for its jaw dropping scenery above the water, it’s long been a favored destination for in-the-know divers and snorkelers. And that’s particularly true for the latter, whether you want to explore the bubble-filled waters of Champagne Reef or the Scott’s Head drop off. And at the island’s premier hotel, snorkeling is a focus; the Fort Young’s dive concierge will coordinate any snorkeling trip you’re thinking of, or you can jump off the dock and explore the waters right in Roseau’s harbour.
Sunset House, Grand Cayman It’s one of the region’s legendary dive hotels, thanks to a wide collection of snorkeling sites both right offshore and those accessed by boat. It’s a central point to explore the teeming waters of Grand Cayman, whether you want to snorkel one of the island’s many wrecks or do a trip to Stingray City.
Scuba Lodge, Curaçao This relatively new boutique hotel on the outskirts of Willemstad is all about marine adventure. That includes the property’s famous Snorkel Bus, on which the resort’s dive instructors will take you to explore some of Curaçao’s most remarkable snorkeling spots, or do a visit to the offshore island of Klein Curaçao . Oh, and the Thursday happy hour is a great way to top off a day under the water.
Just about anyone can snorkel at Staniel Cay.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club, Exuma, The Bahamas Once you’ve visited the Exuma chain of The Bahamas, you’ll be convinced that it’s home to the most beautiful water in the world. So it’s not a shock that the archipelago is home to some world-class snorkeling. And that’s certainly the case at the Exuma’s most beloved place to stay, the boutique Staniel Cay Yacht Club. It’s the perfect jumping off point for snorkeling journeys, whether you’re at the Thunderball Grotto (yes, from the James Bond film) or the Exuma Land and Sea Park.
Guana Island, British Virgin Islands This luxury private-island retreat in the British Virgin Islands is a natural playground, with pristine beaches and three distinct reef areas, right off the shore, including White Bay, which boasts more than 125 different varieties of fish. And then there’s Monkey Point at the tip of Guana, home to some of the most marvelous snorkeling in the region. And the best part? Guana’s unmatched privacy means you’ll just about have it all to yourself.
Bolongo Bay, St Thomas What if you could snorkel a beautiful bay and end up with a bottle of rum? The beloved Bolongo Bay has been hiding rum in the waters of its bay for years for its weekly Snorkel Booze Hunt, and that’s just the beginning. You can leave right from the dock for excellent snorkeling tours around St Thomas, or go snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles on the property’s Heavenly Days boat.