Luxury Resort for First Time Snorkeler
Oct 22, 18, 5:23 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,615
I'm a keen snorkeler and have snorkelled all over the world. It's very tricky to find a hotel with the best of everything - nice accommodation, nice beach, safe swimming, lively house reef leading to a drop-off. Bali, Hawaii and Seychelles don't have great snorkelling. Caribbean? Maybe but I've never found any great snorkelling there. Belize? Probably worth searching here. Lizard Island, Australia, always had a great reputation.
You say Tahiti is out because of air miles issues but this would be my first choice - an overwater bungalow at the Pearl Beach Tikehau would be perfect in my view for what you are looking for. Not a luxury hotel but perfectly acceptable with calm waters, amazing beaches, great coral and fishes, and a pool to freshen up.
And when I look back and think what was the all-time favourite, I always come up with the same thing - the Palau Pacific Resort had absolutely everything. Vavau in Tonga was also pretty special, apart from the hotel.
You say Tahiti is out because of air miles issues but this would be my first choice - an overwater bungalow at the Pearl Beach Tikehau would be perfect in my view for what you are looking for. Not a luxury hotel but perfectly acceptable with calm waters, amazing beaches, great coral and fishes, and a pool to freshen up.
And when I look back and think what was the all-time favourite, I always come up with the same thing - the Palau Pacific Resort had absolutely everything. Vavau in Tonga was also pretty special, apart from the hotel.
Oct 22, 18, 5:37 am
#17
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To clarify, FS Lanai/Manele is apparently NOT good during summer months for swimming or snorkeling. Lots of big wave action. Which is a shame because it sounds like there is some lovely snorkeling there at other times of the year.
Thanks for the continued great ideas. Has anyone snorkeled at the St. Regis Princeville on Kauai?
Am I missing anything outside of Hawaii?
Thanks for the continued great ideas. Has anyone snorkeled at the St. Regis Princeville on Kauai?
Am I missing anything outside of Hawaii?
)
Oct 22, 18, 7:53 am
#19
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,395
Oct 22, 18, 8:02 am
#20
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,395
Actually summer is perfect time for swimming and snorkeling. The winter brings slightly higher surf and currents, but the beach is part of a protected lagoon. During summer, spinner dolphins will spend part of the day in the lagoon. Winter brings higher surf conditions throughout the islands, but there are only a few areas that really become off limits during that season.
Oct 22, 18, 8:07 am
#21
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,395
Sadly, this flight only runs during the winter months which also happens to be Tahitis rainy season! Leave it to United. 
Our first choice would have been Tahiti. We honeymooned at Hotel Bora Bora nearly 19 years ago! Some other time for sure.
Our first choice would have been Tahiti. We honeymooned at Hotel Bora Bora nearly 19 years ago! Some other time for sure.
Oct 22, 18, 10:11 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: CX DM
Posts: 125
We have been to Hualalai with our kids several times. We rent homes on the property (we travel there with friends so we are two large families with a bunch of kids and nannies etc). The kids adore it. Loads for them to do, great kids club, great pools, fun trips (e.g. helicopter over the lava etc).
Snorkeling at Kings Pond is a nice addition to the above but I wouldn't travel there specifically for this. It is a novel diversion and we normally spend a morning or two there per stay. But it is not close to the spectacular snorkeling you can find in many other places. The water is pretty murky, bordering on stagnant towards the back, and the fish selection is nothing special (although for first time snorkeling that probably doesn't matter). King's Pond doesn't have manta rays; they would barely fit in it
It does have a resident eagle ray though, and the kids can feed it, which is fun. So it is perfect as a safe, controlled environment for first time snorkeling but it's not going to blow you (or your son) away with incredible underwater views. Also bring your own equipment as the stuff provided there isn't great.
Re dolphins - they do come to offshore of Hualalai; swimming with them there is magical. But it would be a tough swim to get out there and back safely with a small child, so going on a boat trip to find the dolphins is easier. And then you have the option to have him just observe the dolphins from the boat (I find the combination of choppier conditions and not being able to see the bottom has a propensity to unsettle the little ones and the last thing you want to do is scare them witless so they never want to get in the ocean again
FWIW (for your planned future trip if not this one) our eldest is the same age as your son and he loves the snorkeling at Amanpulo. He has done it a couple times in the last 3 years and enjoys the fish, but particularly the huge turtles grazing just off the beach. We even got our 3-year-old in the water off the snorkel boat on a trip earlier this year (using a transparent inflatable instead of a snorkel) and she thoroughly enjoying being slapped in the face by a big sunfish. I agree with you Pulo snorkeling isn't up there with the best in the world (our son is dying to get to the Great Barrier Reef but I'm scared it'll be a shadow of what it was when I went 15 years ago..) but for beginners the combination of very easy conditions with the big turtles is a hit.
Snorkeling at Kings Pond is a nice addition to the above but I wouldn't travel there specifically for this. It is a novel diversion and we normally spend a morning or two there per stay. But it is not close to the spectacular snorkeling you can find in many other places. The water is pretty murky, bordering on stagnant towards the back, and the fish selection is nothing special (although for first time snorkeling that probably doesn't matter). King's Pond doesn't have manta rays; they would barely fit in it
It does have a resident eagle ray though, and the kids can feed it, which is fun. So it is perfect as a safe, controlled environment for first time snorkeling but it's not going to blow you (or your son) away with incredible underwater views. Also bring your own equipment as the stuff provided there isn't great. Re dolphins - they do come to offshore of Hualalai; swimming with them there is magical. But it would be a tough swim to get out there and back safely with a small child, so going on a boat trip to find the dolphins is easier. And then you have the option to have him just observe the dolphins from the boat (I find the combination of choppier conditions and not being able to see the bottom has a propensity to unsettle the little ones and the last thing you want to do is scare them witless so they never want to get in the ocean again
FWIW (for your planned future trip if not this one) our eldest is the same age as your son and he loves the snorkeling at Amanpulo. He has done it a couple times in the last 3 years and enjoys the fish, but particularly the huge turtles grazing just off the beach. We even got our 3-year-old in the water off the snorkel boat on a trip earlier this year (using a transparent inflatable instead of a snorkel) and she thoroughly enjoying being slapped in the face by a big sunfish. I agree with you Pulo snorkeling isn't up there with the best in the world (our son is dying to get to the Great Barrier Reef but I'm scared it'll be a shadow of what it was when I went 15 years ago..) but for beginners the combination of very easy conditions with the big turtles is a hit.
Oct 22, 18, 10:26 am
#24
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
I'm a keen snorkeler and have snorkelled all over the world. It's very tricky to find a hotel with the best of everything - nice accommodation, nice beach, safe swimming, lively house reef leading to a drop-off. Bali, Hawaii and Seychelles don't have great snorkelling. Caribbean? Maybe but I've never found any great snorkelling there. Belize? Probably worth searching here. Lizard Island, Australia, always had a great reputation.
You say Tahiti is out because of air miles issues but this would be my first choice - an overwater bungalow at the Pearl Beach Tikehau would be perfect in my view for what you are looking for. Not a luxury hotel but perfectly acceptable with calm waters, amazing beaches, great coral and fishes, and a pool to freshen up.
And when I look back and think what was the all-time favourite, I always come up with the same thing - the Palau Pacific Resort had absolutely everything. Vavau in Tonga was also pretty special, apart from the hotel.
You say Tahiti is out because of air miles issues but this would be my first choice - an overwater bungalow at the Pearl Beach Tikehau would be perfect in my view for what you are looking for. Not a luxury hotel but perfectly acceptable with calm waters, amazing beaches, great coral and fishes, and a pool to freshen up.
And when I look back and think what was the all-time favourite, I always come up with the same thing - the Palau Pacific Resort had absolutely everything. Vavau in Tonga was also pretty special, apart from the hotel.
Well, this is probably not what you are looking for but we're renting a yacht with friends (and their kids) in the BVI/VI during the timeframe you mentioned. And we're doing it in large part so all the kids (7-9) can snorkel.
Spectacular snorkeling, lots of great beach shacks, dancing/drinks, a new beach every day. Take a look at Epic yacht charters for different options and basic pricing for crewed yachts.
Note: Caneel and Little Dix won't be open. But other places will be so you can get day passes to go to the spa, use their pools, etc.
On another note, I'd highly encourage you to travel with friends and their kids. Kids will remember playing with friends more than anything else, and if your friends balk at the pricing of top end places, spend less!
Oct 22, 18, 10:46 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,395
The VI has spectacular snorkeling. You missed that? tisk tisk. The BVI and Galapagos are probably my two favorite areas to snorkel.
Well, this is probably not what you are looking for but we're renting a yacht with friends (and their kids) in the BVI/VI during the timeframe you mentioned. And we're doing it in large part so all the kids (7-9) can snorkel.
Spectacular snorkeling, lots of great beach shacks, dancing/drinks, a new beach every day. Take a look at Epic yacht charters for different options and basic pricing for crewed yachts.
Note: Caneel and Little Dix won't be open. But other places will be so you can get day passes to go to the spa, use their pools, etc.
On another note, I'd highly encourage you to travel with friends and their kids. Kids will remember playing with friends more than anything else, and if your friends balk at the pricing of top end places, spend less!
Well, this is probably not what you are looking for but we're renting a yacht with friends (and their kids) in the BVI/VI during the timeframe you mentioned. And we're doing it in large part so all the kids (7-9) can snorkel.
Spectacular snorkeling, lots of great beach shacks, dancing/drinks, a new beach every day. Take a look at Epic yacht charters for different options and basic pricing for crewed yachts.
Note: Caneel and Little Dix won't be open. But other places will be so you can get day passes to go to the spa, use their pools, etc.
On another note, I'd highly encourage you to travel with friends and their kids. Kids will remember playing with friends more than anything else, and if your friends balk at the pricing of top end places, spend less!
Is Oil Nut Bay here?
Last edited by Ericka; Oct 22, 18 at 10:53 am
Oct 22, 18, 10:50 am
#26
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,780
timing is off season for many places i think
which eliminates many seasonal flights
BVI >
UA has seasonal to STT, close to BVI
oil nut was shallow a ways out IIRC, cant recall re necker
theyre very close together, and snorkelers came to necker
oil nut >
$550 bay suite (detached villa) 624ft2
$2550 beachfront cheemaun villa 3BR 3,250ft2
could ask re beachfront jewel box villa 10 2BR 1,800ft2
some owners on moskito will rent, no idea how to find out
which eliminates many seasonal flights
BVI >
UA has seasonal to STT, close to BVI
oil nut was shallow a ways out IIRC, cant recall re necker
theyre very close together, and snorkelers came to necker
oil nut >
$550 bay suite (detached villa) 624ft2
$2550 beachfront cheemaun villa 3BR 3,250ft2
could ask re beachfront jewel box villa 10 2BR 1,800ft2
some owners on moskito will rent, no idea how to find out
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Oct 22, 18 at 11:11 am
Oct 22, 18, 10:53 am
#27
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
I never heard of Oil Nut, but it looks pretty cool and Virgin Gorda is spectacular. In the BVI, I'd suggest island hopping to different areas for some of the trip.
We may very well end up having a meal or hanging out at the resort for a meal or a day.
We may very well end up having a meal or hanging out at the resort for a meal or a day.
Oct 22, 18, 12:08 pm
#28
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 4
Fairmont Orchid Hawaii
Hey, check out the Fairmont Orchid on the big island of Hawaii. Our family went there a few years ago and had the most amazing vacation. The have a great little beach with a lagoon or something, I'm not really sure what to call it! Its only about 6 feet deep and the current is very calm. The water is pretty clear as long as the surf isn't too rough and keeps up a lot of sand. It was a little 50/50 while we were there but its a great place for a kid to try that for the first time. Its really safe and they have all of the equipment you need right there by the beach house. The hotel itself is also really nice. Have fun!
Oct 22, 18, 12:43 pm
#29
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
We looked at Cheemaun Beach Villa (it's an Airbnb), but if you were willing to do a few day boat trips you'd have a real treasure trove of snorkeling spots in the BVI. Plus the baths are spectacular.
I realize it's a bit more high end than many of the resorts mentioned on here, but splurging on a nice Airbnb could be fun and it's a great area.
I realize it's a bit more high end than many of the resorts mentioned on here, but splurging on a nice Airbnb could be fun and it's a great area.
