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Question: Ideas for a family snorkeling/surfing vacation: Mexico, Carribean or Hawaii?

Question Description:
We want to go in the winter and we're looking for a place that is authentic and charming...a real village, as opposed to a manufactured high-rise amusement-park-style resort. Does such a thing still exist? We're leaving from San Fran, and want to stay within roughly a five hour flight radius. All suggestions appreciated!!!

Answer#1: You live in San Fran, I would go to Hawaii. Take you pick of which Island, Kauai,Maui,Oahu,Big Island and the smallest Lanai. They all have good healthy reefs.Cabo San Lucas is another area that is close to California and you can take some surfing/snorkel excursions.My best suggestion would be the USVI but I think flight time would be to long. 5/6 hours to the east coast and another 3/4 hours to the Caribbean (USVI). You would have to do a connecting flight, unless you broke it up with a visit in New York. Nothing beats the waters of the Caribbean. I think they are the best. Besides USVI to snorkel/dive, you have Cayman Islands, Bahamas, BVI, Curacao and Turks & Caicos. Cozumel Mexico is another good destination.Good Luck and enjoy your trip. Maybe a cruise is a good option for you and your family.

Answer#2: Belize,Belize,Belize! Check out the coast,cayes and inland! Stay inland for the authenticity and charm you are desiring(San Ignacio Town: Martha's Guesthouse ...do a web search) and the cayes for all your snorkeling needs. Second largest barrier reef in the world! Go through American Airlines flexible date search and you can get the best deal on airfare. I have used it for Jamaica a few times as well as Belize. Have a nice holiday no matter where you end up.

Answer#3: If your budget allows, I think the perfect place would be St John, USVI. Specifically Caneel Bay Resort. It's fantastic and my favorite place in the Caribbean. There are seven perfect beaches that usually have only a couple of other people. The resort is on a former Rockafeller estate and is spread out over about 80 lush acres. The rooms are separate small buildings kind of like cabins. There are no TVs and no Phones...it's a very laid back place. Rooms are between $400-$2000 per night. Also, check out Jumby Bay on Antigua and Little Dix on Virgin Gorda.OR How about the best of both worlds.. check out the Riviera Maya...fly into Cancun and drive down the coast. There is a great little town called Akumal that is still pretty cool very close to the town there is a lagoon (Ya Kul lagoon) I think that is really neat to snorkle. Also ( a little more disney like ) there is Xcaret and Xel Ha, both are eco-parks with cenotes and fun snorkeling.Below is from the resort next to Xcaret...The Occidental Grand Xcaret's breathtaking surroundings await you less than an hour South of Cancun International Airport. In this utterly unique setting, adjacent to the eco-archeological Xcaret Park and five minutes from the renowned Playa del Carmen, experience the awe-inspiring sight of ancient native Mexican ruins, the of miles of tropical rainforest,

Answer#4: I'm not sure about how long the flight to Barbados is, but from Toronto, direct is a little over 5 hours.Barbados is known for its best surf, snorkeling/scuba diving!