Best reefs in the Carribbean?

[neoh]

I plan on snorkeling, and diving if time were to allow it. I've never been, though it's something I've always wanted to do.

I do understand that the Caribbean has been on a rapid decline. I've watched numerous documentaries on the subject.

Don't worry about price. I want to see a diverse fish population, and hopefully some decent coral. I would also consider Hawaii. Though, anything further than that is out unfortunately.

From the videos and pictures I've seen, Belize is definitely the way to go. I'll have a look at some of the other suggestions!

[hfp75]

seriously... this is one of my top 2 places....

I have been to Hawaii and Belize...

http://www.bahamasunset.com/sunset/index.html

[neoh]

I'm going to seriously consider that, hfp75.. that looks amazing!

[Coralgurl]

We snorkeled in Belize in 2013 off Ambergris Caye. AMAZING - but it was my first time ever swimming in the ocean, so I have nothing to compare to, but we saw fish, turtles, sharks, sting rays and off the boat dock, a sea horse. Loads of life in the water there. Tons of coral both close to the surface and deep. You could actually just take a paddle boat to the reefs off the beach. Saw others doing this.

I'm heading to Mexico in February, will take my snorkel gear again (not sure on actually diving)....but that's just me.

[saltcreep]

Originally Posted by neoh

Don't worry about price.

Unless you have an unlimited budget price does matter. Prices vary from country to country in the Caribbean. Both for resorts and for overall cost. You can do cheap like Cuba or DR or hit the more expensive places such Turks or St Vincent.

Another thing is that some places don't have great snorkelling from resorts (although beaches are fantastic) so you have to do excursions to get in the water. Keep that in mind.

[neoh]

Originally Posted by saltcreep

Unless you have an unlimited budget price does matter. Prices vary from country to country in the Caribbean. Both for resorts and for overall cost. You can do cheap like Cuba or DR or hit the more expensive places such Turks or St Vincent.

Another thing is that some places don't have great snorkelling from resorts (although beaches are fantastic) so you have to do excursions to get in the water. Keep that in mind.

Yes, of course they vary. I am aware of these circumstances. I have a very open budget, and am willing to pay extra for the underwater sights. If the better snorkeling is in a more expensive country, then so be it! I'm going to see the fish, not the resort.

[Aquattro]

Go slightly east. Bali

[mikellini]

The best diving in the Caribbean is subjective, but most of the diving community (from what I have seen/heard/read) agrees that the Bay Islands are easily among the best. Roatan and Utila are renowned for a wide variety of life, from whale sharks to lobsters to all kinds of reef fish large and small. The reef is healthy and vibrant, no signs of decline from what I have seen myself. Easy access to beach snorkeling in lagoons and the inner reef, fantastic reef walls on the outer, and beautiful warm water year round. Plus once you get there it's pretty cheap, the only problem is getting there... three or four flights, an overnight in a central american airport, and then either a rough ferry ride or a little plane over the water. I think there used to be direct flights from Houston but I couldn't find any last time I looked.

[Craigdillman]

Roatan is I've heard one of the best, and is me and my wife next trip for diving Cozumel was pretty good but nothing compared to Thailand in terms of hard coral and fish but

Honestly it depends on what u consider the best ? cause if you dive the galapagos there are hardly any reefs but an abundance of FISH and whale sharks and hammerheads in the world but if you dive Cozumel there are tones of sea fans a decent amount of fish and lovely drift diving so its all what you like

I still don't think there is a bad place to dive anytime your diving things are looking good

[Craigdillman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxSN...&feature=share


Here is a snap shot of our dives 2.5 weeks ago in cozmuel mexico 14 dives each flights from calgary and 10 days in a bed and breakfast 3400$ total me and my wife

win win win


Shot with a goPro with red filter