Best Snorkeling Resorts in the Caribbean
Planning a trip to the Caribbean and want to factor in some ocean exploration? These are our top picks for best snorkeling resorts in the Caribbean.
We’re getting closer to the vacation season with the summer heating up. For many people, that means plans to enjoy some fun in the sun, and for some, that includes snorkeling. The Caribbean boasts many beautiful coral reefs with a tapestry of colorful creatures.
Best Snorkeling Resorts In The Caribbean
Whatever you are looking for in a vacation, whether you’re planning a trip for your whole family or just you and that special someone, you’ll be able to find it here. There is something for everyone in the Caribbean, from the small hotels to the multi-wing resorts – some of which offer excellent snorkeling services.
So, without further ado, here are some of the best resorts for snorkeling.
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Catcha Falling Star Resort
Settled on the cliffs of Negril, Jamaica, you need only look at the decor of Catcha Falling Star Resort to get an idea of how nice it is. They boast several small cottages and suites for guests to stay in. The location also has an oceanside bar.
As for the snorkeling itself, the resort is not only in a bay with easy access to the water, but it is also a location where dolphins often come to greet the guests!
This resort is aptly named; everything about it, from the draw points that might bring in guests to the shapes of the patio and even the selection of the furniture, speaks of tropical whimsy. So if you’re for something that doesn’t feel like a standard hotel and are looking to put more adventure into your vacation, Catcha Falling Star Resort is an excellent choice.
Coral Gardens Resort
Found along the shores of Grace Bay Beach, the award-winning Coral Gardens Resort is an excellent choice for someone wanting a more traditional backdrop for their vacation. This resort’s attractions include snorkeling and diving, of course, but also light sports, fishing, and sailing.
The feel of the resort is open and airy, with light colors that make it feel like the kind of place you can relax in. If you have family members that aren’t interested in snorkeling and would prefer to do lighter things or things that don’t require them to get wet, Coral Gardens may be the resort for you.
Sunset House
Sunset House doesn’t have a beach, but it does have one of the best locations for snorkeling. It is positioned along the coast, so there are never any ships that pass too close by, and it is a haven for fish and other marine life.
There’s a homey feel to the lodgings at Sunset, with comforting colors and a lived-in feel that will make this your home away from home for the duration of your stay. Whether you stay most of the day or only come to your room to relax after a day of attractions, Sunset will be a restful haven.
They have a pool and an excellent restaurant available to the guests, and the resort is only a short walk from George Town. So if you’re looking for something quaint and quiet, you could do far worse than Sunset House.
The Buccaneer Beach Resort
If you’re looking for stately arrangements with something for the golfer in your life to do and plenty of photo opportunities, the Buccaneer Beach Resort might be your best bet. With elegant rooms and a beautiful beach, the snorkeling that the hotel’s day trips to Buck Island Reef National Monument offer is only a tiny fraction of what there is to do.
The general feel of the Buccaneer is that of the more upscale end. Luxury is abundant at this beachside hotel.
The Buccaneer also features an entire golf course, a shopping arcade, and a full-service spa and salon. Adventure and relaxation alike abound for those who book a stay here.
Avila Beach Hotel
The Avila Beach Hotel has three different wings with three different designs, meaning if one room design doesn’t suit your tastes, one of the others will have a good chance.
With a centralized location, the Avila offers shuttles into and back from town twice daily, and it’s only a fifteen-minute walk on foot. If shopping isn’t your thing, it also boasts two private beaches, a private reef, and an infinity pool if you’d prefer aquatic fun that isn’t in the sea.
For those of you interested in more culinary exploits, there are also several restaurants on-site with various appeals. The Avila is one of the larger hotels available with a significant amount of traffic, making it a good choice for someone who wants to meet interesting people in their travels or wants their destination to feel more cosmopolitan.
Anse Chastanet
Also located in St. Lucia, Anse Chastanet is an excellent choice for a resort if you want to see green during your stay. Surrounded by lush wildlife, there are many fun attractions available. Spend an afternoon doing anything from birdwatching to jungle biking.
They also offer SCUBA diving in one of the most beautiful reefs in the Caribbean. If you don’t already know how to SCUBA dive, they also offer courses. Of course, there are still plenty of shallows to explore if you are genuinely more into snorkeling.
Not many places can beat Anse Chastanet in terms of fun in the water.
Jade Mountain Resort
Not far from Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain Resort is a little bit farther up, a little bit greener, and just as beautiful a location to stay in for your Caribbean vacation. The whole design philosophy of Jade Mountain is to use what was already on hand and craft a destination point that matches the locale that already existed.
Jade Mountain boasts several artful and beautiful sanctuaries for meditation and relaxation. On top of this, it is also easily close enough to the water for SCUBA diving and snorkeling! So if you’re looking for something tranquil, interesting, and close to the water, but far enough up the mountain to be surrounded by nature, this is an excellent choice.
Gallow’s Point Resort
If you’re trying to convince the goth in your family to go to the beach for a vacation, Gallow’s Point Resort in the US Virgin Islands might be the best way to do that. Although, it doesn’t look nearly as metal as the name would have you believe.
It’s a lovely place with a seaside view and easy access to the sea. Being a smaller resort also makes for a good choice if you don’t intend to spend much time in your rooms and want to do some sightseeing.
Sunscape Spa and Casino
Maybe a little bit of gambling isn’t what you immediately think of when you imagine taking a luxurious Caribbean vacation, but that is what you can find at the Sunscape Spa and Casino in Curacao. It may be a smaller destination but the quick access to clear waters to snorkel in is one of their first selling points.
The designs at the Sunscape are clean and artistic, making good use of color and shape. It would be hard not to relax when surrounded by so much beauty.
If you’re looking for something on the less expensive end in terms of lodgings that still allow easy access to the beach, the Sunscape might be the choice for you.
Secret Harbor Beach Resort
Most of Secret Harbor’s activities center around being on and around the beach, so it should be no surprise that there is excellent snorkeling to be found there. The resort is built on a private cove with a beach boasting fine white sand and idyllic palm trees.
They offer rentals for various water sports and have an excellent site for SCUBA diving, as well as a fitness center and pool for those looking for fun in the water but don’t want to get in the sea.
There is also a bar and restaurant close to the water. The Secret Harbor Beach Resort in St Thomas is an excellent place to take the family for a Caribbean vacation.
Final Thoughts – Best Snorkeling Resorts In The Caribbean
Whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s somewhere with snorkeling as a priority or simply a vacation spot for the whole family that has snorkeling on offer for one or two of you, there are dozens of places in the Caribbean where you can see marine life and with dozens of kinds of ambiance to come with them. With a little bit of patience, you’ll find the right one.
