I snorkeled at Anse Chastanet when we stayed at Ladera, and we also stayed at Ti Kaye. Both have fantastic snorkeling, and Ti Kaye is not on the North side, it's about halfway up the island on the western coast. Sandals are on the North side.

I found both to be great places to snorkel, so much marine life! I will say that I actually enjoyed snorkeling at Ti Kaye a bit more because the beach and the water wasn't as full and crouded with other people when I was there. Granted Sandals boats would drop off people at Ti Kaye once a day to snorkel for about 45 minutes, but if you hit the beach before 10am or after 3pm, it was yours and yours alone, and the snorkeling was great!

That's just my opinion, I don't think you could go wrong with either. I just personally enjoyed Ti Kaye a bit more due to the less crouded beach and water.

I too have been doing research for snorkelling around St. Lucia, and have been recommended to the Jalousie Plantation Resort, their website is good and so are the reviews here, what has swung us to book there is the stunning location and a roped off snorkelling area right off the beach in front of the hotel,hope this helps. Julie & Bigal.

Thank you for your responses ... both places sound wonderful. I am leaning towards Ti Kaye because it appears to be the quieter and less crowded choice (also less expensive).

For Ken, as for Bonaire, we have been twice. Best online source of information:

www.bonairetalk.com/cgi-local/bbs/discus.cgi…

First time (1999) stayed at Plaza Resort, lovely beach, good snorkeling, large, comfortable rooms with air conditioning. Second time we stayed at BelMar(2001), no beach, terrible snorkeling, large apartment-type rooms with kitchen, air conditioning only in bedrooms. You have a fantastic view of the ocean at BelMar, the sunsets were out of this world beautiful!

We LOVE Bonaire, it is a very special place. But, it has suffered a couple of storm surges (the worst was Lenny in 1999) which have completely devastated the shallow snorkeling sites. I would definitely consider returning to Bonaire, if there is still excellent snorkeling on Klein Bonaire (island). You could take the water taxi out there every day. If we returned I think I would try Buddy Dive Resort or Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn. Email me if you have any further Bonaire questions, and keep me updated on St. Lucia snorkeling!

Sue Williams

sue_williams3@hotmail.com