Just wondering if you can go right from the beach for good snorkellingor do ypu have to take a boat? Which area of the island would be best for that? thanks in advance for your response.

Spanky: With very few exceptions one needs to go snorkling with a guide. The trips are inexpensive and in most cases include the use of mask, snorkle and fins. Prices range, based upon length of trip, number of snorkle stops and such from about $15 to $40 per person per trip.
The places that you can do quality snorkling
directly from the beach require that you get transported by boat to the particular Caye that has a close in reef and to my knowledge most of them are located in the Southern part of the country such as "Laughingbird Caye National Park" and the Silk Cayes which are
located off of Placencia. You would probably spend the amounts listed above just to get to them.

Thanks oldgator your help and information on this board are very helpful and we appreciate it.

The really great snorkeling is out at the reef, however many places have interesting snorkeling under the dock. These are great if you just want to jump in and swim around a bit. Amigos Del Mar, Ramon's and Victoria House are three off the top of my head.
Belize it!