Ellen,

I would recommend Fiji -- it is affordable, the entire southwest coast is miles and miles of reef which is easily snorkeled, and there are many souvenir stores which sell shells as well.  If you want to spend a bit more money go to some of the smaller islands surrounding the main island (like Matagi) which have excellent diving but are two or three times more expensive than an oceanfront resort on the main island.

This however is only one persons opinion.

Wayne Harland
[log in to unmask]  http://www.gate.net/~wharland

"The trouble with doing something right the first time
is the no one realizes how difficult it really was."