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My husband and I are going to island hop from San Juan to another Caribbean island the end of March (we are going to SJ only because my husband is best man in a wedding there).
We wanted to get out of Puerto Rico and find a relatively close island that has great snorkeling. St. John is too expensive at $450 a night and up. St. Thomas is just not for us.
I think St, Croix is what we have decided on. What would be the best hotel/condo for around $200/night?
Top requirements:
Snorkeling,snorkeling, snorkeling (but not too isolated).
clean of course.
Restaurants and other activities 15 minutes or so away.
Refrigerator, but full kitchen is not necessary.
Does not need to be luxury.
We are water people but we are not beach people. We don't care what the beach looks like. In fact, if the beach is sandy at the hotel, then the snorkeling probably isn't the best. We never sit on the beach.
I have been looking at the Tamarind Reef Hotel. So far this one looks as though it may have good snorkeling yet not be too isolated. Are there any other hotels or condos that you can recommend that would be equal to or surpass the Tamarind in snorkeling quality (and that isn't isolated)?
Thank-you,
Leslie
There is good snorkeling at Tamerind, but entering the water is very difficult.
I would try Comorant Beach Club or Hibiscus (sp) Both are on Long reef -- spectacular snorkeling out about 50 yards -- or so -- I am terrible with measurements.
Have a good time whereever you end up.
Hello Leslie,
Definately plan on doing a trip to Buck Island for snorkeling. Do you dive? Great dive options on St. Croix. 😉
--Islander
You can snorkel at the reef off the Buccaneer Hotel. It's a very protected site with calm water, an easy entry and exit and quite a bit to see despite being shallow and close-in to the shore. This one is OK for all ages and even people with disabilities.
Better snorkeling would be off the north shore area around Cane Bay and/or the west end beaches. Where the scuba divers go is where the reefs and sealife is most abundant. Some of the dive sites are pretty deep, but there are often shallow areas of reef in the area, as well.
Thanks for the replies!
No, we're not divers. Unfortunately I have perforated my eardrums too many times and have too many ear problems.
We are about advanced as snorkelers get though. We're used to places like Punta Nizuc in Cancun by the Club Med. The entry is all rock and shallow. There's a ton of huge brain coral. But it's some of the best snorkeling you'll get in Cancun.
We prefer a great reef and abundance of fish to a beach. We like a good challenge!
