Best snorkeling destination with kids

Looking for help deciding where to travel to for our family trip in early December. Kids are 6 and 8. We’re looking for somewhere with great snorkeling for kids. My partner and I love to scuba and want to share our love for exploring the ocean from an early age. We’re counting down the years when we can all scuba together. Hotel budget is ~5k for 6 nights which is putting us slightly out of range of some of the great resorts typically mentioned here. Would love seperate sleeping areas for kids and parents but not a deal breaker by any means. We’ve enjoyed Playa de Carmen, Punta Mita (loved the Dreams resort there, water park was a huge hit!) but neither destination offered great snorkeling for the kids since they are younger. We’re traveling from the West coast and want to keep flight times less than 8 hours, so Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America are all do able! Thank you thank you!

Edit- open to messages from Travel Agents! Have never worked with one but open to it!

Edit- this group is amazing!!! Thank you to everyone that’s commented so far.

in chubbytravelby 894gb

75%

1mo

luxfamtravel

Travel Agent

1mo

Take a look at Belize. Snorkeling is great and it’s more affordable.

894gb

1mo

I am down the Belize rabbit hole now!

Maleficent_One1915

1mo

We’re going in November. Splitting the time between Ambergris Caye, Chaa Creek and maybe one other jungle lodge. Have 3 young kids who are all budding snorkeler. Will be happy to report back on the trip when it’s done.

D_-_G

1mo

Have you checked out the Mauna Lani on the big island? They have a protected cove on their beach for kids to snorkel in and do tours out into the bay for snorkeling every day too. Also a super super family friendly hotel (actually too family friendly for my wife and I haha 🤣, but we don’t have kids). It’s wonderful and within this price range usually

894gb

1mo

Thank you! We have very little knowledge of Hawaii in general. We tend to lean international for the culture, but on this trip I’m much more focused on great snorkeling.

lakehop

1mo

Hawaii has great culture and history also, it’s just easier to ignore for people who only want a sun holiday. But if you do go to Hawaii (highly recommmend), visit some of their national historical parks. Fascinating. The Fairmont Orchid on the big island looks like it’s coming in under your budget for a single room - it has a long shoreline that’s mostly protected turtle habitat, with a small protected sandy bay that perfect for kids, with plenty of turtles around.

894gb

1mo

Thank you! I’ll definitely check it out!!

up2knitgood

1mo

Granted it's been about 3 decades since I was there, but my issue with snorkeling at the Mauna Lani cove is that the sand is really fine so visibility isn't the best as the sand is easily churned up.

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1mo

894gb

1mo

We snorkeled in akumal bay and only saw a few turtles. Maybe we just didn’t go to the “right spot? Hmmmm While we’ve done airbnbs before, on this trip I want the hotel amenities, mainly want a break from cooking myself haha

onthespincycle

1mo

West Bay, Roatan. Best snorkeling and scuba. House right on the beach thru West Bay Village.

ImaginaryDoor8

1mo

We did roatan with our then 8 year old and loved it. Snorkeling right off the beach made it super easy. We stayed at Caribe Tesoro and really enjoyed it. They have some nice big rooms with patios and full kitchen and multiple rooms if you want to spread out. Not ultra lux but had a nice pool, swim up bar, and walkable to snorkeling and good food.

894gb

1mo

Thank you! That spot looks like a gem! How did you get there? Flight? Ferry? Looks like it might be a very long travel day coming from the west coast.

The website says walkable to restaurants and town- did you find it to feel safe?

ImaginaryDoor8

1mo

We flew into the airport on the island. Coxen hole (rtb). Flight isn't too bad but from west coast you will need to connect in either Houston or Dallas. They also have a seasonal direct flight from Denver.

We thought it was very safe. That was a big worry for my wife but we didn't encounter any issues. They did have guards on the beach in the tourist areas. Didn't see them do anything so not sure if just to make the tourists feel better or if their presence was enough to deter folks.

Maleficent_One1915

1mo

Saw this comment after my question about safety. Ha.

Maleficent_One1915

1mo

How did you feel about safety in Roatan? It’s been on my radar for years but I just realized there are sloths and monkeys on the island so now I’m more determined to go soon. I know it’s a lot safer than mainland Honduras but have read a few things about sketchy police and an increase in armed robberies.

aabbccgjkh

1mo

Bonaire has the best shore diving in the world and in turn has some of the best snorkeling as well. Its magical there

castor_pal

1mo

Came here to say this. Although you won't find a chubby hotel rec but you can rent some amazing villas right on the best snorkeling sites. I'm actually doing this next month for the 3rd time. I think snorkeling is great there for kids because the snorkeling is typically very close-in to shore - you don't HAVE to go on a boat. Diving is plentiful and accessible. 5k for 6 nights will get you some incredible private oceanfront homes. I say this all as someone who used to think Hawaii was the best snorkeling destination.

aabbccgjkh

1mo

Shhhhh, I usually don’t like to use the B word for travel recommendations. I do not know why it is not jam packed with people. My wife and I like to go for a week, hit 20 dives, chill on the beach, and enjoy some of the bluest water in the world. It has ruined other beach destinations for us. If y’all haven’t done a night dive at salt pier or hills hooker, I suggest it.

castor_pal

1mo

I know, I should shut the f up! Although I think as long as the island is 7+hr away from the east coast + doesn't have much in the way of sandy beaches, it'll stay quiet. Thanks for the rec. Have you done boat rentals yet? Our new fave thing is renting a boat for ourselves and mooring at whatever site we please. It's amazing. We do a half day rental and they provide ice and a cooler and we can just randomly decide which sites to tie up at, even Klein!

894gb

1mo

Thank you for sharing this detail! Not having to go on a boat is really ideal so that everyone enjoys a day of snorkeling and sandcastle building a reading books vs a jam packed adventure day of a tour just snorkel for an hour

Mad_Rrhea

1mo

We are a diving couple with kids also. When ours were 6 and 8, we stayed at the Andaz Maui. They have good snorkeling on the property, and tons of other snorkeling spots in the area a short drive away.

Ill-Acadia3167

1mo

Barbados probably pushes the limits for flight time but has really good snorkeling/diving- you can swim with big sea turtles and explore multiple shipwrecks. There are a lot of hotel options at different price points. I also really enjoyed the snorkeling in St. Martin, we saw sea turtles and eagle rays there (in addition to the typical tropical reef fish). Sonesta maho (all inclusive) would probably fit your budget but dining options in St. Martin are fantastic so you should definitely venture out as much as possible. And if you stay in St. Martin you can take a day trip to Saba which has some of the best snorkeling/diving in the Caribbean

894gb

1mo

These are great tips, thanks so much!

SnoootBoooper

1mo

Ugh I hate to recommend Aulani but their man made snorkeling lagoon is the best I’ve ever seen - and it’s not even close.

For kids of that age it doesn’t get any better. You’re not worried about conditions - it’s always perfect. The water is crystal clear. There is a million things to look at. Huge confidence builder for future divers.

(Husband and I are big divers as well.)

Four Seasons Hualalai also has a man made snorkeling lagoon but it’s nowhere near as nice.

894gb

1mo

We’re not much of a Disney fam…but wow that does look incredible

SnoootBoooper

1mo

Maybe you book an entry level room at Aulani to have access and then stay elsewhere on Oahu? That idea might be more fat than chubby, though. Maybe a split stay? There is a Four Seasons next door but I haven’t stayed there.

We had a good time at Aulani, but it leaves a lot to be desired. You will want a cabana for any pool days. The food is overpriced for what is - I recommend walking across the street for restaurants that offer a better value. The rooms and service are nothing special. They hit the bare minimum on everything except the awesome snorkeling lagoon and the beach is great, too. The kids also loved the lazy river.

laruetravels

Travel Agent

1mo

Honestly I think your kids would have a blast at Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Waterpark, lots of activities, and beautiful snorkeling right off the beach. A one bedroom suite at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar should be right around your target budget, depending on the exact dates you're looking at!

Ill-Acadia3167

1mo

Seconding this but also there are multiple options for boat excursions to the Exumas with many awesome snorkeling spots

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1mo

894gb

1mo

Definitely open to an all inclusive, I love the ease with kids. But it would need to be actually good quality- I’ve found AIs to be hit or miss

Forsaken_Bison_8623

1mo

My 8yo loved snorkeling in Puerto Morelos, Cozumel, and Akumal all in Riviera Maya area

Sufficient_Ad5654

1mo

Fairmont Orchid - get club level. Perfect snorkeling cove!

Dapper_Blood9225

1mo

Honestly I’d do somewhere with a lagoon at that age. It’s way safer from the perspective of currents, water depth, and sharks/marine life.

French Polynesia is only 8ish hours from the west coast, and has the best lagoon snorkeling in the world. There are amazing hotels there, but also really great mom & pop guesthouses that most travel agents won’t book because they don’t get commission. That’s where I think your sweet spot would be.

Maleficent_One1915

1mo

Any recommendations on which islands or resorts to stay at?

Dapper_Blood9225

1mo

Bora Bora is insanely beautiful but there’s a reason it’s nicknamed ‘boring boring’. I love Moorea for a good mix of culture, dining, and natural beauty. Going further, Tikehau & Raiatea are stunning, and Rangiaroa & Fakarava have great scuba.

Keep in mind that the landmass that encompasses French Polynesia is larger than all of Europe, so there’s quite a bit of variation between the islands.

stillwaters23

1mo

We just got back from a trip to Wailea, Maui. Everyone was acting like the snorkeling was amazing, but I was not impressed at all. We saw some turtles which was cool, but very few fish. Also the swell made my son seasick. There are better options.

894gb

1mo

This is a good to know! I definitely want to see lots of fishies!

Emergency_Distance93

1mo

Grand Caymen

Coginthewheel1

1mo

I am at the Maldives right now and my 9 year old son is obsessed with snorkeling here. We saw sharks, cuttlefish, blow fish, sting rays, needle fish etc…so many exotic fish in the calmest beautiful water. We don’t even do special trip, we just jumped in from our overwater villa. Highly recommend!

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