Explore underwater paradise with the whole family

The Star-Telegram reports on five global snorkeling spots where exploring the beauty of underwater paradise is a family-friendly affair.

Along with three places in the Caribbean, Alaska and Florida are also mentioned.

Ketchikan, Alaska. Zip on your head-to-toe wet suit and explore the colorful and diverse marine life in the chilly waters of southeastern Alaska. Local water temperatures reach 65 degrees in midsummer. Participants must weigh at least 90 pounds. Waters are calm; some tidal pools are shallow. Later, join a half-day boat tour from Ketchikan Outdoors and cruise to a remote island for a picnic among wildlife.

Read the full story: Seaside getaways

Photo from Getty Images / Thinkstock

Ecotour Cuba

MSNBC reports on Cuba's efforts to lure ecotourists.

Cuba is betting environmentally conscious vacationers, who are often willing to pay premium prices and stay longer than those hankering for cheap beach getaways, can boost profits. Eco-tourists focus not only on nature — biking, hiking, bird-watching, scuba-diving — but also on the country's social and cultural charms, while trying to make as little negative impact as possible on nature.

A key attraction will be the national park near the Bay of Pigs — the Cienaga de Zapata [picture above], or Zapata Swamp. Cuba's equivalent of the Florida Everglades, it's the Caribbean's largest bioreserve, 1.5 million acres of mangrove-choked canals teeming with the wildest Cuban wildlife.

Read the full story: Cuba works to become ecotourism destination

Photo from flickr by Manolo Marrero

Dominica, meant to be explored on foot

The Los Angeles Times reports on the natural wonders of the Caribbean island of Dominica; the best way to enjoy it is by foot:

"It's crawling with natural hiking trails adorned by 1,200 species of plants and flowers. There are spectacular waterfalls and hot springs, including the huge Boiling Lake in the center, and the island is surrounded by waters clear enough for snorkeling, deep enough for diving and just choppy enough to make kayaking interesting."

Read the full story: Dominica: an ecological escape

Resort threatens Grenadian bird

The Christian Science Monitor reports that a new resort to be built in a protected park on the Caribbean island of Grenada could wipe-out the already endangered native dove.

Mount Hartman National Park - one of the few undeveloped areas of the island and a sanctuary for the native dove - is now set to build a Four Seasons uber-resort. Only 120 doves remain of which about half live in Mt. Hartman.

Protests from conservation groups have led to a compromise to help preserve the already small numbers of the bird:

"Under the current plan, the resort will develop areas that are currently part of the Mt. Hartman National Park. But in exchange, the resort’s developer will help underwrite the designation and management of a newer, better, and similarly sized sanctuary nearby. Pets and pesticides will be prohibited at the resort, which will be built in phases timed to minimize disruption of the birds’ seasonal activities."

Read the full story: Will new resort imperil Grenada's endangered dove?