The goofy underwater shots of my husband and much-younger son grinning behind their masks always make me smile -- just the way a vacation photo should.

We were in the British Virgin Islands where the two had just completed the requirements to become certified scuba divers. In the years since, they've dived different places together and separately. But that photo -- framed in our family room -- reminds me of what vacations with the kids should be -- an exploration of new places and a time to share experiences together.

Right now, whether you want to learn to dive with your tween or snorkel with your kindergartner, teach your grade-schooler to sail or fly on a trapeze, you'll find plenty of opportunities at Caribbean resorts -- at prices that are surprisingly affordable.

``The deals we are seeing in the Caribbean right now are unprecedented,'' says John Israel, Orbitz.com's Caribbean regional director. ``There may have been similar deals post-9/11, but the breadth and depth of the offers right now really are the best we've seen in terms of value region-wide: Resort and spa credits, food and beverage credits, free nights and nightly discounts on vacation packages that amount to a ``fly free'' credit. We're also seeing up to 65 percent to 70 percent off per night at many Caribbean hotels.''

And families can ``save bundles'' by booking a package that includes air and hotel together, he adds.

The fact that tourism is down significantly -- as much as double digits to some islands -- means that consumers have their pick of deals -- and balmy weather, too, promises John Glynn of the Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands (www.beyc.com).

Here, kids spend the week learning to sail on the most extensive fleet at a Caribbean resort -- more than 100 boats -- and rates are a third off 2009 prices.

TAKING A DIVE

If you want to learn to dive with your kids, those 16 and under stay and dive free at Captain Don's Habitat on Bonaire (www.habitatbonaire.com) through Aug. 29. You'll also receive either a complimentary, introductory scuba course or four open water dives. You can't beat the price -- just over $2,200 for a family of four in a two-bedroom/two-bath bungalow for a week, including breakfast, six dives and dive equipment.

Kids also dive free in the Cayman Islands -- part of the Cayman Summer Splash (www.caymanislands.ky/summersplash) that includes free flights on Cayman Air for those 11 and younger, free entrance to many island attractions and free meals at many restaurants. Older kids will love the giant Black Pearl Skate Park.

Join a Sunsail sailboat flotilla (www.sunsail.com/flotillas) in St. Vincent or the British Virgin Islands with a support crew on hand to show you the destination highlights, organize fun regattas and host beach barbecue parties -- and get 20 percent off on select summer dates.

The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino invites single parents to vacation with their kids with special ``Quality Time'' packages that tout 25 percent savings and a donation to a local charity.

ALL-INCLUSIVES

If all-inclusives are your style, Club Med welcomes kids 15 and younger to stay for free -- one child per paying adult -- at Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (www.clubmed.com), as well as at some of the other Club Med properties -- a savings of almost $600 per child.

At the all-inclusive seven Viva Wyndham Resorts in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Mexico (www.vivawyndhamresorts.com) -- they offer circus lessons, too -- kids 12 and under stay, play and eat free all summer while those 17 and under cost just $30 a day -- and we all know how much teenage boys can eat.

Just make sure to keep that sunscreen handy -- and your camera, of course. You want to be able to embarrass the kids later with those goofy shots.

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