Suggestion #1- get the great book for snorkling on STJ called the Feet, fins and four wheel drive, advertised on this Board at the top. Its very accurate and descriptive about all of the many, wonderful EASY snorkling spots off the shore at STJ. Your husband won't get bored, believe me. #2- for the anxiety factor, wear a snorkle vest maybe? I do and I remain relaxed (I can't swim well and worry about drowning). The snorkle spots on STJ are right off from the shore so you don't have to go out far at all- believe me if I had to, I'd stay on shore and read another book! #3- take one of the charters to snorkle spots in the BVIs too- we took the Limnos Charter boat and snorkled at Norman Island in the caves (not deep)- wicked cool!!! Others can chime in on STT as I never snorkled there, no need to as between STJ and the BVIs it'll take the rest of my vacationing life to hit all the spots. If anything, you'll snorkle off beaches with lots of rocks, like Haulover, so bring beach shoes or sandles to get around on the rocks.

take a cab to coki beach and have at it... its awesome shallow calm water w/ great snokeling and you will see all the fish, reef.... you can take

Annmarie, both of these are great! We love coki beach and always visit at least once when we are on the islands. The vendors serve up some awsome drinks and food and the snorkeling is great. One of the daysails to the BVI is also a must. We have done three different trips and thught each was great! Do search/read as much as you can on this board and other sites to get ideas about which things appeal to you the most. I would not miss Sunday at Saphire beach (if possible get there early or take a blanket the beach chairs go quick).

Salt Pond Bay on St John has excellent snorkeling. If you snorkel along the rocky shore on either side of the beach, you can see a lot without having to go far from shore or into very deep water.

I'd recommend Capt. Phil Chalker and the Wayward Sailor. My wife was REALLY nervous about snorkeling. We booked a daysail with Capt. Phil who specializes in people like her. He was AWESOME! He took extra time with her and snorkled along with her while the other people (and he only takes six) who were more experienced went off on their own. WWW.waywardsailor.net

Secret Harbour! Just got back Monday. Had three teen girls who had never snorkeled before. They practiced one day in SH then the next day we chartered boat and they were all over Norman Island and several other spots on the way to and from. They loved it. Also try Sapphire Beach. None finer thand SH though.

I recommend Sapphire Beach for snorkeling. The reef at Sapphire comes all the way in to the shore line on about 1/5 of the beach. So, you can easily snorkel along the sides of the reef from the most shallow 1 ft of water all the way out to about 10-12 feet, where you will then make a right turn and snorkel along the outer edge of the reef. If you don't feel ok about being out in 10 feet of water, you'll still see plenty of fish in the 1 ft to 6 foot water because you'll be alongside the reef. You can also swim over the reef and view amazing schools of fish. Just remember not to stand on it. I like to just let myself float over the reef, gliding with the current. There is also a grounded catamaran just off the shore at Sapphire - at the opposite end of the beach from the reef. It has become home to a good deal of marine life, so have a look.

I also second the Coki recommendation. Coki's water gets deeper faster than Sapphire, but the fish along the rocks are incredible. People tend to feed the fish at Coki much more, so the fish tend to swim out amongst the people much more than at Sapphire (Coki fish are very social). Its like Coki fish are just telling us to get out of their way as they swim right by us without a care - only glancing over to see if you have anything yummy for them - or swimming right up to you or following you. Coki fish also like to nip at my legs when I am standing in the relatively shallow water- so if you are squeamish about being touched by fish, beware.

Thanks SO much - I can't wait to try out all of your recommendations!