Perfect holiday- criteria included

[SingingWaffleDoggy]

I’m going round in circles and have seen so many ‘nearly right’ options I can’t see the wood for the trees.
Can anyone recommend a holiday for 2 adults, 2 DC (8 & 5) beginning of May that fits the following:

• Guaranteed sunshine ☀️ (>23c)
• Beachfront
• Safe snorkeling for first timers (don’t mind needing a shortie wetsuit in the sea)
• Waterslides on site
• All inclusive
• Under £3000

Extra wishlist if possible:

• a la carte options
• the possibly of hiring a self drive boat to explore coves
• flights from Bristol

I know this sounds really picky, but we are a bit tight for funds this year and trying to combine the best of previous holidays Would be grateful of any nuggets of knowledge from you wise folk 🙏

Cyprus (particularly Protaras) fits the bill on snorkelling, coves, weather and direct flights. I can’t comment on hotels though as we usually go adults only - but that may help narrow your search!

Having now looked, Tui have a week at Anastasia Apartments in Protaras for £2400 - the à la carte is as the sister restaurant so you might need to research that a bit more, but otherwise it ticks every one of you boxes - and it’s not far from where you can see turtles while snorkelling.

Thank you @FerrisWheelsandLilacs that looks just the sort of thing we are after.
We would ideally travel the weekend to encompass the bank holiday Monday and therefore no school fine as only missing 4 days which means this one would be a little over budget but will price up the fine and go from there.
The location looks fab so will look into the other hotels there too.
I’ve never been to Cyprus, but snorkeling with turtles would most definitely be ‘flipping’ fantastic! I’ve just seen an alternative in Ayia Napa, is that still party central? That would have been my vibe 20 years ago but not now. And do the turtles venture around the peninsula?!

I’ve never been to Ayia Napa, so not sure about the turtles, but my friends with small children have been and said really good things so I don’t think it is as party central - but maybe someone else can speak to the snorkelling and boating opportunities from there!

I went to nissi beach in Ayia napa and it was fine- beautiful beach.

Egypt.

Put your criteria into the jet2holidays search and see what comes up. You should get a free child place, which will help with the cost.

I tend to filter by Trip Advisor score of 4+ to filter out the least attractive places and sort by price low to high.

You could also consider self catering, perhaps in an apart hotel so you get some hotel facilities, as the AI food and dining experience isn't always great unless you pay a lot of money. Stock up on drinks, snacks, ice creams and easy food from the supermarket and eat out once a day.

If you have a decent late breakfast and lunch out mid afternoon, you won't want 'dinner' as such so could just have something light in the evening. Or get an ice cream or similar while out and about and then go out for dinner. Doing it that way will be a nicer experience than lower end AI and far cheaper than a la carte AI.

Protaras is gorgeous, daughter used to live there. Just beautiful

Look at seaview country club in Ibiza. I stayed in late April and swam in the sea, safe cove ideal for novice snorkelling right next to the hotel. There were a la carte options that were still closed when I went (private hire) so check when they open for the season, waterpark shared with hotel next door opened on 1st May, not my thing but dh had a go. It’s ai BUT no idea on price, we went to a private hire event and paid £800 each and flew from Bristol, easyJet. Buffet food was so so, the a la carte would make it a much better experience, or if it comes in way under budget just go out for a couple of meals. Public bus stops outside

Oh and there’s a tui blue hotel next door (shared water park) that might be nice, just longer water to the beach

For guaranteed hot weather enough for snorkeling I second Cyprus. We go to Spain / Balierics in May because it's not too hot then and the sea is a bit brisk.
Protaras is a good family resort. Ayia Napa itself is still a party resort but Nissi beach which is just along the coast is beautiful. Gorgeous beaches and some excellent hotels. There's also a water park.

Thank you everyone. We are all booked for Cyprus ☀️