Trips that Go Beyond the Beach

Find trip ideas that let you explore the coast in a whole new way, from the best beach biking and flightseeing to amazing snorkeling and road trips.

10 Top Spots to Snorkel

Underwater photographer and adventurer, Tanya Burnett-Palmer shares her favorite places to sightsee beneath the waves.

snorkeling-grand-cayman
Tanya G. Burnett-Palmer

Grand Cayman

Stingray City, situated on a shallow sand bank off Grand Cayman Island, may be the most popular snorkel site in the world. It’s spectacular fun to be mobbed by a gregarious flock of soaring Southern stingrays in water clear as air.

On-site secret: Every snorkel operator runs trips to Stingray City, but check the cruise ship schedules to avoid the crowds. Keep an eye out for: the stingray’s unusual “vacuum cleaner” mouth. Stingrays are soft and slippery, but their mouths have the suction of a Shop-Vac, and in their excitement I have received the occasional stingray hickey. Don’t worry―it’s a harmless souvenir that goes away in a day or two.

When to go: spring and summer for the calmest conditions; stingraycitytrips.com.

NextHol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize

snorkeling-go-blue

Previous Slide Go blue!

7 of 12
snorkeling-grand-cayman

  • Loading comments...

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.

500 characters remaining

More Ways To Get Coastal Living

Advertisement

MOST POPULAR
1
100 Comfy Cottage Rooms  

Develop your coastal cottage’s style by following these simple tricks.

Without the pops of cobalt blue, this smart seating area’s neutral tones would feel a little washed out. Fun patterned pillows with drapery and flowers to match don’t take the focus off the main event, the wraparound water view from the windows.