good place for family snorkeling?

[Mr. X]

Montego Bay, Jamaica

[MyraVan]

Right, now I've got it narrowed down to somewhere in the Indian Ocean (Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius), or somewhere in the Caribbean! Well, at least that's a start. I've got holiday books from the local travel agent and Lonely Planet and Rough Guide books for the various places, and will try to sort something out.

This is cool, I haven't gone anyplace specifically for the good underwater scenery in quite some time. I've tried to fit my diving in with what the other family members were doing, so I've ended up going to places that mostly wouldn't be first choice for underwater activities, but were a compromise between my desire to be under water and my family's desire to do fun things up top. But my hubby seems to like the idea of a snorkeling holiday, so this is going to be just great!

[Frank O'Donnell]

Do let us know where you end up. We're always on the lookout for new family-friendly dive/snorkel locations (though given that we're eight time zones to the west of you, the Indian Ocean is just about on the opposite site of Earth from us ...)

[Pach]

Any places I can go for

1. <£500 (we're skint)
2. all-inclusive (flights, food, accomodation, equipment, etc)
3. abroad (out of the UK)
4. warm (without need for a wetsuit)
5. good snorkeling/ freediving... more snorkeling as other half is not 'trained' and is more of a top water person than an underwater person (he's a surfer).
6. out of school holidays.

I know... wishful thinking...

[Donna]

Still think Sharm is an option - some good last minute deals to be had... have a look at www.aquatours.com - they quite often have some last minute bargains!

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by Pach

Any places I can go for

1. <£500 (we're skint)
2. all-inclusive (flights, food, accomodation, equipment, etc)
3. abroad (out of the UK)
4. warm (without need for a wetsuit)
5. good snorkeling/ freediving... more snorkeling as other half is not 'trained' and is more of a top water person than an underwater person (he's a surfer).
6. out of school holidays.

I know... wishful thinking...

What temperature is the med. this time of year? How about southern Spain/Portugal/Gibralter or northern Africa? £500 for how many people?
Let us know if you manage it -- I might join you!

[Donna]

Sea temps are around 22 on the surface, 18ish at -20m. Air temp here in Larnaca is 22, but the wind makes it feel cooler. Its also cloudy and raining more often now!!

[Groupermadness]

Hi Donna Its Hacking it down with rain here in Kyrenia .

The walking season has started so im up in the mountains most days soon(also a Trecking/walks Guide), sad that i have to leave the sea behind for a couple of months, under-curents are getting stronger with the changes in water temp. got bounced of a rock the other day at about 10m . The safest time of year for rec snorkeling are the summer months from may to end oct sea is calm and warm. come to Cyprus there is so much to see and do.

[Pach]

I got planned (depending if I can get time off work), a weeks holiday to the Redsea (Sharm... I know it's touristy but you got to go there aleast once...), during the last week or March, snorkeling (cos other-half refuses to learn any form of diving).

So... will I need some form of UV protection (rach vest, 3mm wetsuit, 5mm wetsuit, etc) when snorkeling? Do you think other snorkelers would mind if I bought my monofin? Do you think we'll be able to hitch a ride with one of the dive boats? Where's the freediving school/ instructor in Sharm? Is the food cheap? Recommend places to go (I should dig out my old 'Diver' mag really)? Is 7 days of snorkeling boring? Shall I go camel riding, visit pyramids, etc?