Aside from visiting every public pool within your vicinity this summer, it would be nice to take your kids outside to the great ocean and explore its booming life underneath its coat of blue. There are snorkeling spots in the Caribbean that will make the whole family enjoy a thrilling marine biology course during summer time.
Huffington Post lists eight best snorkeling Caribbean areas for the family. These spots are kid-friendly so you woudn't have to worry about your youngster's safety while you also experience life underwater.
1. Bloody Bay Marine Park, Little Cayman
As per Cayman Islands, Bloody Bay Marine Park is "one of the world's truly legendary dive sites." Little Cayman is found within its borders and promises untouched and preserved marine life that exists in 20 to 6,000 feet of water. Divers visit this Caribbean haven every year to see creatures like the hawksbill turtle, rope sponges, gigantic barrel spanges and lionfish (via Huffington Post).
If you're still wary of your child's security, maybe the on-site skilled watersports operators can calm you down. They will teach your family basic snorkelling techniques that will secure your safety. So lower down your guard, have a picnic at the Caribbean beach and enjoy the sight of fishes and corals as well as the chance to touch a stingray at Stingray City (via Cayman Islands).
2. Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, Belize
This is a Caribbean protected marine reserve that will assure you an abundance of everything incredible about marine life. The waters are crystal clear and from above, you can already see the host of marine species the Glover's Reef houses.
As per Island Expeditions, Glover's Reef Atoll is "the richest marine environment in the entire Caribbean Sea." It is a shallow lagoon with more than 700 patch reefs. This is one of the best spots in Belize to go snorkeling, sea kayaking or scuba diving.
For an overnight stay, as per Tropical Snorkeling, you can either choose to book a hotel room or campout with other visiting families and tourists. Camping, snorkeling, kayaking in one Caribbean trip is experiencing the wild at its fullest.
3. Underwater Marine Park, Curacao
Curacao's reefs act a Caribbean home to barracudas, sea turtles, manta rays, sharks, 65 coral species and 350 species of fish. In Curacao Island, the Curacao Underwater Park is located along a 12-kilometer uninhabited and undeveloped coastline (via Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance).
Curacao Underwater Park has 19 dive sites with corals reefs and various Caribbean shipwrecks that are almost 100 years old. You and your kids would surely have fun snorkeling and diving under clear waters.
The underwater park is also an ecological site with seagrass beds and mangroves planted to nurse coral reef fish, sea turtles and globally threatened invertebrates. It is also protected and managed by Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity Foundation (CARMABI) that preserves the area, protects the species, conducts research for nature conservation an development as well as educating the community about Curacao's marine life (via Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance).
4. Bird Island, Antigua
Before tackling its marine life, Bird Island in the Caribbean is of course, famous for its diversity of bird species. Not only that, the 20-acre island is also home to many rare animals including species of lizards and snakes. To get here, you and your family must ride a boat or book a charter service (via Caribya).
It's a great location to hear the sounds of nature before you go snorkeling on its beautiful reefs teeming with diverse marine species. If you want the complete experience of the wilderness, both on land and underwater, Great Bird Island in Antigua is the place to go.
5. Canouan, The Grenadines
If you want a more luxurious option, the Grenadines should land as your top choice. This is a popular Caribbean location for yachts and sailboats. While you're chilling with your family on board a yacht, you'll get a stunning view of 36 volcanic islands towards Grenada (via Planet Ware).
One of the Caribbean islands is Canouan that is famous for its white sand beaches and snorkeling spots. There's also an exclusive resort that you can check in for your whole Caribbean stay that gives you access to restaurants, private villas and a golf course (via Planet Ware).
As per Huffington Post, you can visit the other islands such as Petit St. Vincent, Palm Island, Tobago Cays and Baradel Beach. When you go snorkeling, you'd be able to see soft corals, turtles, nurse sharks, and eagle rays.
6. Buck Island, US Virgin Islands
According to Huffington Post, Buck Island is famous as a Caribbean snorkeling destination for families. It takes pride on its marine community of over 250 species of fish, sponges, corals and crustaceans.
As per National Park Service, Buck Island is the Caribbean habitat of some endangered and threatened species as protected by the U.S. National Park. Its recreational activities are government-approved including snorkeling that is the right fit for beginners and families.
7. Cayo Diablo National Park, Fajardo Puerto Rico
The Cayo Diablo National Park in the Caribbean is famous for its turtles. So if you want to see turtles on your snorkeling expedition, go to Puerto Rico and visit this park. It is just located 20 minutes by boat from Fajardo. Aside from the turtles, expect the schools of fish and colorful corals underwater (via Best Online Travel Deals).
8. Champagne Reef, Dominica
According to Huffington Post, this is "one of Dominica's finest natural attractions. It takes the first spot in Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine's 25 Caribbean snorkeling sites. It's not called Champagne Reef for nothing because the subterranean geothermals found in the area produce bubbles through the ground, hence its name. Snorkel in this natural jacuzzi and swim with seahorses, frofish, parrotfish, lobsters, and Hawksbill turtles.
So what are you waiting for? Plan that trip and head to the Caribbean with the whole family for your one of a kind snorkeling experience. Feel free to share your Caribbean summer getaway on the Comments section below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
