The Caribbean's crystal-clear waters hide some of the world's most spectacular underwater treasures, from vibrant coral reefs to colorful tropical fish. But here's the thing – you don't have to choose between amazing snorkeling and all-inclusive luxury. Even better? You can book many of these underwater paradises using your hard-earned points and miles.

After diving deep into the research (pun intended), I've found the Caribbean resorts that deliver both world-class snorkeling and all-inclusive value. Plus, I'll show you exactly how to maximize your points for these aquatic adventures.

Why Combine All-Inclusive with Snorkeling?

All-inclusive resorts eliminate the guesswork from your Caribbean vacation. No hunting for restaurants, no surprise bills for activities – just pure relaxation between snorkel sessions. The best snorkeling resorts often sit right on house reefs, meaning you can literally walk from your poolside lunch into some of the Caribbean's best underwater action.

The points angle? Many of these resorts partner with major hotel loyalty programs, letting you stretch your travel budget while diving into paradise.

The 8 Best All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts for Snorkeling

1. Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa - St. Lucia

Why It's Perfect for Snorkelers: This adults-only paradise sits on Rodney Bay with direct access to some of St. Lucia's most pristine coral gardens. The house reef features sea turtles, parrotfish, and angelfish just steps from your beach chair.

The Points Play: This resort is bookable through World of Hyatt points, starting at 21,000 points per night. With Hyatt's generous award chart, you're looking at exceptional value – especially during peak season when cash rates soar.

Snorkeling Highlights:

• House reef accessible directly from the beach
• Sea turtle nesting site nearby
• Complimentary snorkel gear provided
• Guided snorkel tours to Pigeon Island

Book Smart: Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards to Hyatt at 1:1 ratio. The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x on travel purchases if you're mixing points with cash.

Learn more about maximizing Hyatt points in our comprehensive Hyatt booking guide.

2. Sandals Royal Caribbean - Jamaica

Why It's Perfect for Snorkelers: Located in Montego Bay, this resort features the famous "Blue Hole" – a natural swimming pool carved from coral stone. The offshore reef system here is spectacular, with visibility often exceeding 100 feet.

The Points Play: While Sandals doesn't have a traditional points program, you can book through American Express Travel and earn 5x points with the Platinum Card on large purchases. Plus, you'll get the Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits.

Snorkeling Highlights:

• Private island with pristine reefs
• Complimentary boat transfers to deeper sites
• Professional dive shop on-site
• Night snorkeling available

Insider Tip: Book during shoulder season (May-June or September-October) for the best underwater visibility and fewer crowds.

3. Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun - Mexico

Why It's Perfect for Snorkelers: This family-friendly resort sits on Puerto Morelos, home to the Mesoamerican Reef – the second-largest coral reef system in the world. The calm, protected waters make it perfect for snorkelers of all levels.

The Points Play: Hyatt Category 6 property requiring 25,000 points per night. The World of Hyatt Credit Card earns you a free night certificate annually, plus 4x points on Hyatt purchases.

Snorkeling Highlights:

• Direct access to Mesoamerican Reef
• Snorkel gear rental included
• Kids' snorkeling lessons available
• PADI dive center on-site

Why Families Love It: The protected lagoon area gives nervous parents peace of mind, while adventurous teens can explore the outer reef with guided tours.

Check out our detailed review in our Luxury in Paradise: Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun guide.

4. Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa - Mexico

Why It's Perfect for Snorkelers: Tulum's cenotes (freshwater sinkholes) offer a completely unique snorkeling experience you won't find anywhere else in the Caribbean. Plus, the nearby coral reefs teem with tropical fish.

The Points Play: This isn't directly bookable with hotel points, but Hotels.com offers competitive rates and their One Key rewards program earns you free nights. Use the Capital One Venture X for 10x miles on Hotels.com bookings.

Snorkeling Highlights:

• Access to mystical cenotes
• Coral reef snorkeling
• Guided tours to Gran Cenote
• Equipment provided for all activities

Don't Miss: The cenote tours – snorkeling in these crystal-clear freshwater pools surrounded by stalactites is otherworldly.

For more Tulum options, see our Ultimate Guide to Tulum All-Inclusive Resorts.

5. Club Med Turkoise - Turks and Caicos

Why It's Perfect for Snorkelers: Grace Bay Beach consistently ranks as the world's best beach, and the snorkeling lives up to the hype. The barrier reef sits just offshore, creating calm lagoons perfect for underwater exploration.

The Points Play: While Club Med has its own loyalty program, booking through American Express Travel with the Platinum Card gets you 5x points plus potential resort credits.

Snorkeling Highlights:

• World-renowned Grace Bay Beach
• Barrier reef protection creates calm waters
• Conch Bar Caves snorkeling tours
• Equipment and instruction included

Pro Tip: The afternoon snorkel sessions often have the best visibility as sediment settles from morning activities.

6. Atlantis Paradise Island - Bahamas

Why It's Perfect for Snorkelers: Beyond the famous resort amenities, Atlantis offers some of the Bahamas' most accessible snorkeling. The resort's artificial reefs and the natural Rainbow Reef provide diverse underwater experiences.

The Points Play: Not directly bookable with hotel points, but easily accessible from the US. Book flights with American Airlines miles (it's a major hub) and use Chase travel portal for hotel bookings to earn Ultimate Rewards.

Snorkeling Highlights:

• Predator Lagoon snorkeling with rays and sharks
• Rainbow Reef artificial reef system
• Dolphin encounters
• Professional instruction available

Unique Feature: The resort's marine habitat lets you snorkel alongside tropical fish, rays, and even reef sharks in a controlled environment.

Read our complete Atlantis Bahamas guide for more details.

7. Excellence Oyster Bay - Jamaica

Why It's Perfect for Snorkelers: This adults-only resort in Montego Bay offers direct access to Jamaica's protected marine parks. The combination of calm bays and outer reef systems provides variety for every skill level.

The Points Play: Book through Hotels.com or Expedia for One Key rewards. The Citi Premier Card earns 3x points on travel bookings.

Snorkeling Highlights:

• Multiple snorkel sites within resort area
• Professional PADI instruction
• Equipment included in all-inclusive package
• Sunset snorkel tours available

Adults-Only Advantage: Fewer crowds at snorkel sites and more peaceful underwater experiences.

Learn more about Excellence properties in our Excellence Resorts all-inclusive guide.

8. Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa - Jamaica

Why It's Perfect for Snorkelers: Rose Hall's location provides easy access to both calm bay snorkeling and more adventurous outer reef expeditions. The resort's partnership with local dive operators ensures quality equipment and expert guides.

The Points Play: Hilton Honors Category 7 property (60,000 points per night). The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card provides an annual free weekend night certificate plus automatic Gold status.

Snorkeling Highlights:

• Multiple reef systems nearby
• Professional dive shop partnerships
• Equipment rental on-site
• Family-friendly instruction programs

Family-Friendly Feature: The protected cove area lets kids practice snorkeling while parents enjoy deeper reef explorations.

Quick Points Value Breakdown

When comparing these resorts, the points value varies significantly. Secrets St. Lucia delivers the best value at 21,000 Hyatt points for stays typically costing $450 per night – that's over 2 cents per point. Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun requires 25,000 points for $380 nights, giving you 1.5 cents per point value.

Hilton Rose Hall sits at 60,000 Hilton points for $320 nights (just 0.53 cents per point), making it better suited for when you have excess Hilton points rather than maximum value redemptions. Dreams Tulum through Hotels.com One Key gives you roughly 10% back in rewards, which works out to solid value for those building hotel loyalty outside major chains.

Maximizing Your Points Strategy

Transfer Partners Are Your Friend

The best values come from transferring credit card points to hotel partners:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards → Hyatt (1:1 transfer)
• American Express Membership Rewards → Hilton (1:2 transfer)
• Citi ThankYou Points → Choice Hotels (1:2 transfer)

Credit Card Strategies

For Hyatt Properties: The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers the best earning rate plus valuable perks like annual free night certificates.

For General Travel: The Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 2x on travel and transfers to multiple hotel partners.

For High Spenders: The American Express Platinum Card provides 5x points on large purchases when booking directly with hotels.

Need help choosing the right card? Check our best hotel credit cards guide.

When to Visit for Best Snorkeling

Peak Visibility Months

• December-April: Calm seas, excellent visibility (80-100+ feet)
• May-June: Shoulder season with great conditions and fewer crowds
• September-November: Post-hurricane season, crystal clear waters

Avoid These Times

• July-August: Peak hurricane season, rougher seas
• Christmas/New Year: Crowded snorkel sites, higher prices

Snorkeling Safety Tips

Before You Go:

• Practice in a pool if you're new to snorkeling
• Check resort equipment quality – bring your own mask if you wear glasses
• Download offline maps of reef areas

In the Water:

• Never snorkel alone – use the buddy system
• Stay away from coral (look but don't touch)
• Watch for boat traffic in popular areas
• Know your limits – most resort reefs are shallow and calm

Protect the Reefs:

• Use reef-safe sunscreen only
• Don't stand on or touch coral
• Take only pictures, leave only bubbles

Booking Timeline Strategy

11 Months Out

• Start earning points with targeted credit cards
• Watch for hotel loyalty program promotions
• Set up price alerts on Going.com for flight deals

6 Months Out

• Book award nights (especially for peak season)
• Secure flights using miles
• Purchase travel insurance through InsureMyTrip

2 Months Out

• Confirm snorkel tour bookings
• Check equipment needs
• Download offline reef guides

The Bottom Line

The Caribbean's best snorkeling doesn't have to break the bank. By strategically using points and miles, you can experience world-class underwater adventures while staying at luxury all-inclusive resorts. The key is planning ahead and choosing properties that maximize both your points value and your snorkeling experience.

My top pick? Secrets St. Lucia offers the best combination of snorkeling quality, all-inclusive value, and points redemption rates. At 21,000 Hyatt points per night, you're getting access to some of the Caribbean's most pristine reefs while enjoying adults-only luxury.

For families: Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun provides safe snorkeling for kids plus access to the incredible Mesoamerican Reef system.

Remember – the best snorkeling resort is the one you can actually afford to visit. Use your points wisely, and you'll be exploring underwater paradise without the financial stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?A: Most resorts provide basic gear, but serious snorkelers should bring their own mask for the best fit. Prescription masks are especially important if you wear glasses.

Q: Which Caribbean destination has the clearest water?A: Turks and Caicos consistently offers the clearest water, followed closely by the Bahamas and eastern Caribbean islands like St. Lucia.

Q: Can beginners snorkel at these resorts?A: Absolutely! All featured resorts offer calm, shallow areas perfect for beginners, plus professional instruction if needed.

Q: How far in advance should I book award nights?A: For peak season (December-April), book as early as possible – ideally 11 months out. Shoulder season offers more flexibility.

Q: Are there any hidden fees at all-inclusive resorts?A: Most activities are included, but premium excursions (like guided cenote tours) may cost extra. Always confirm what's included when booking.

Q: Which credit card earns the most points for resort bookings?A: It depends on the booking method. Direct bookings often earn the most hotel points, while portal bookings can maximize credit card rewards. See our airline credit card guide for strategy tips.