A Week in Belize

The part you mention about you not being great swimmers and wanting to snorkel where it is not too deep makes me think the ideal place for you might be South Water Caye. it is a very small island with nice sandy beach and you can just walk out in the water and snorkel on your own timing. You can reach the Caye by water taxi from Dangriga. Since you only have a week, if Mayan ruins are not a priority Hopkins would be a great base. It is about a half hour from Dangriga, or you can take a boat direct to South Water Caye from Hopkins. You can do jungle hikes at Cockscomb and adventure tours at Caves Branch in easy day trips. You can also take snorkel tours from Hopkins, but they would be off a boat, the same as Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye.

The snorkeling at caulker and Ambergris is not shallow water. I really think you would be better off flying to Placencia and taking a snorkle day trip from there to one of the lesser cays. The coral will not be the same but it will be easier snorkeling in shallow water.

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate the tips on snorkel / beach locations...