We are booked at the AquaMarina for our first trip. Stayed on Isla last 2 vacations. Finally got my husband in the water to wade (was afraid of water) and he discovered snorkeling and now loves it as long as life jacket is on. I'm worried about the lack of availability to wade gradually into the deep water. Is it deep right away? And are there chairs and umbrellas on the beach? Read about the beaches and sounds like most are negative comments. Help! Did I pick the right place?

The water has sea grass in is, close to shore. This make for some nice snorkeling, since little fish and critters can swim around it in very shallow water. There isn't a "drop off" that I've found yet. And, the lack of wave action makes it great for snorkling beginners. You can walk along the beach and find areas that don't have the sea grass, if it creeps you out, but I love it. I have seen sand dollars, little purple fish, little yellow ones, sea cucumbers, crabs, and lots more, all in the shallow areas with sea grass. If he was to get panic'd, all he'd have to do is stand up, and he'd be in waist deep or less. You have picked the right place, if you are asking if San Pedro is the right place. I'm not familiar with Isla, and have never stayed at AquaMarina, but I hear they are great. Hope you have a great time.

Yes,you have picked the right place,the beaches are great and many locations stay under 3 feet of water out to 100 feet from shore.Enjoy your trip.

This has some good info on the beaches:
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San Pedro doesn't have the wide beach that Isla has with Playa Norte. The nearby reef keeps wave action at a minimum, and hence the sea grass.

Ramon's has one of the nicest 'walk in' areas of beach that's close to town. They also have a very nice dock to swim off of. Usually there is a set of steps to get out of the water on to the dock, but last visit a hurricane had taken them out. There is some pretty decent snorkeling right there, we saw two nurse sharks, an eel, lots of fish, and a huge ray.

I haven't been to Isla for a couple years, but I think if you like it there, you should be happy in San Pedro.

Banyan Bay has a "beginner's reef" with a large variety of fish just a few yards off shore. The fish are fed to keep them around. Eels, gar, permit, snappers, with snorkeling access on both sides. Banyan Bay is on Mar de Tumbo beach, known as one of the better beaches on the island.

SIN

Aquamarina has a nice area right off the dock that you can climb down into the water, and swim out.


Also, there are several "regualar" rays that hang out in front of Aquamarina. I stayed there and I would go see them every morning. I loved them.

Plenty of places to wade out & swim there, and as everyone has said, Banyan Bay has a beautiful beach.