Snorkelling spots for 'beginner'.

I'm a rubbish snorkelled. Must be my technique. Hoping to improve when I get to the islands. Will be based at Brewers. Question is where are the great shallow snorkelling areas so I can see things close up.

Actually the left hand side of Brewers Bay is probably as good as anywhere for a beginner. One of the most important things when snorkelling is to take it slowly. Far too many people splash, kick and seem to be in a race. If you do that, you won't see much at all. The water will hold you up, just move your legs slowly and gently and moreorless less float along and you will be a zed that you see far more than those rushing past you. Enjoy.

Indeed...go out right next to Nicole's bar and you'll find a nice snorkelling area. Smuggler's Cove is also very nice and easy right from the beach.In summertime a snorkel round the point from Little Apple to Long Bay is perfect for a beginner..enter the water in front of the steps, right in front of CRC and just follow the coastline..not spectacular but lots of fish and easy..

If you make a side trip to virgin Gorda both Mahoe bay AND Savannah Bay are great

Anywhere you can walk into calm water to snorkel is a good spot.
I really like snorkeling the rocks on either side of Devil's Bay at the baths. You can walk in right off the beach.

If you make it to Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI there's a nice beginner snorkel off the beach that follows concrete guides on the bottom.

There are easy snorkels off the beach around The Big Bamboo, north shore Anegada. Just don't go out too far.

Skip the fins and stay shallow

For super beginners...ie the little ones....

there is and old collapsed concrete pier at Pusser's Marina Cay. It is at the opposite side of the "beach" from the dingy dock. in 3-5 feet of water, there is an ABUNDANCE of fish.

Next on the easy button is at Coopers. look for the pole that sticks out of the water. on the right side of the dock, while looking at the beach from the water. or visa-versa if you are a landlubber.

Brewers is excellent, but not if the swell is in.

Thank you all for the tips and advice. Points noted.

You would be amazed at what small children can do when snorlkling. Just took my granddaughter who turned 5 the day we left for the trip. She snorkled the caves, Indians, Rhone, Cooper, Monkey point ect.. With no issue. She wanted to scuba dive but we drew the line there.
G

I would beg to differ. I have taught dozens of people to snorkel and scuba. Many hate the thought of fins to start with. However every single one has told me when they eventually have tried fins for snorkelling that they wished they had done it earlier, so much easier to float. Do not kick hard or fast, just gently using the full leg with only a gentle bend at the knee.

I agree with the fins. Fins can also get you out of trouble if you get caught in a current.
I can snorkel for hours with fins and mask. One easy kick and you move to the next spot without disturbing the sea life.
The key is the proper fit. Most charter companies have a bin with stuff in it but I carry my own mask, snorkel and fins.

Fins are something we always bring - not just because I have dive fins, but because you want fins that are comfortable. Dive fins are great because you can wear a water shoe which prevents chaffing.. If you go with regular fins, you want to make sure they fit well to avoid chaffing too. That's the real key.

And fins are a huge plus as mentioned above.. Very little effort to move and you can propel yourself much faster as needed. Just be aware of them and watch out you don't kick coral if you are shallow..etc.

I'm not getting into the fins/no fins for beginners debate, but will chime in to say that we also now travel with our own snorkel gear, mask, snorkel and fins. This takes up about half of our total packing space, but what else do we really need? It is so totally worth it. We have found equipment that really works for us and it is so much better than the guessing game of what will be available from the charter company and even then often realizing that the fins you thought fit well at the base when you tried them on make your ankles hurt after a long snorkel, or the mask that seemed to fit fine pinches your nose or gives you a headache when worn for long periods. It is just so worth having your own set, at least if you like to snorkel as much as we do.

I'm not crazy about fins and little kids. Not after our youngest, at age 4, took off after a big fish. I think I chased him half a mile before I caught him! The big fish was still swimming out to sea ... Then he dropped his fins in 20 feet of water. Then I confiscated them.