Snorkeling is undoubtedly one of the greatest adventures to have. Beautiful and pristine marine life is only a mask away! The underwater world is a dreamy place for anyone who loves adventure.
Many places in the world have fantastic snorkeling. But it’s important to know which places will give you the best snorkeling in the world.
This is especially true if you’re looking to dive in areas that are not home to your own country. While some spots definitely stand out more than others.
Here are 10 of the top places for the best snorkeling in the world
- Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
- Ambergris Caye, Belize
- Ilha Grande, Brazil
- Komodo National Park, Indonesia
- Devil’s Crown, Galapagos
- Bay of Donsol, The Philippines
- Baa Atoll, Maldives
- Koh Nang Yuan, Thailand
- Phu Quoc, Vietnam
- Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Do you need certification to snorkel?
Do you need a certification to snorkel? It depends. Many places allow you to go snorkeling without a certification, and all you’ll need is a basic mask, snorkel and fin.
But on the flip side of this, some places do require you to have a certificate before they allow you to snorkel. It is important to do research on your destination so that you do not end up wasting a trip.
Most people think that they can go snorkeling (scuba diving without the use of a full-face mask or tank) in just about any body of water. Whether it be a river, a lake, or even the ocean, this can actually pose a problem in some locations. Always make sure to check if any certification is required before, as some spots are fragile and protected.
What makes for the best places for snorkeling?
Snorkeling can be extremely fun and healthy, but where should you go to maximize your experience in this awesome adventure?
Just like with any places you plan to visit, the best places for snorkeling come with their own set of conditions. Not all places are ideal for snorkeling. If you wish to enjoy lots of fish and visibility, some considerations and factors should be considered before going to your chosen place.
- Visibility: the waters should be clean and clear
- Marine life: choose waters known for rich marine life
- Location: pick a place that is easily accessible
- Safety: choose an area that has no strong currents, sharp coral or no large waves
Once you know where to snorkel, the next step is to figure out what kind of fish you’ll be looking for. The visibility of water helps a lot when it comes to this. If you look at areas with higher visibility, you have more of a chance of seeing exotic marine life species.
Some fish are found in deeper waters that can only be seen with snorkeling tours or with special equipment like scuba gear. Other fish are easier to spot even with just your eyes from the surface.
The top 10 best places to snorkel in the world
Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
Discover a new world beneath the sea at Hanauma Bay, Hawaii’s largest marine life conservation district. Snorkelling here is incredible year-round, with more than 4,000 kinds of marine life, including coral and reef fish. Experience the amazing creatures that live near this protected natural space. Hanauma Bay offers some of the best snorkelling in the world.
READ MORE: Hawaii is also one of the best and safest place for female solo travellers
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Beneath shimmering azure waters, a jewelled world awaits. The Ambergris Caye is a world of marine life so captivating that National Geographic dubbed Belize’s barrier reef one of the top 3 marine sanctuaries in the world. Just 2 hours south of Miami, it covers thousands of square kilometres and includes more than 100 protected islands, cays, and atolls.
Nearby, the second largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere meanders for 100 kilometres along the shoreline like a giant necklace. This offers some of the best snorkelling for both experienced and those looking to try it out for the first time.
READ MORE: Belize is one of the best places to scuba dive in the world
Ilha Grande, Brazil
Coral reefs can be found a few meters off the coast near most beaches around Ilha Grande in Brazil. Most are a short swim or paddle from the beach. Snorkelers can explore the rich biodiversity of tropical fish, starfish, crustaceans, molluscs and sea turtles.
Coral reefs are home to a hugely diverse range of marine life. You’ll see clownfish, blue-spotted rays and lots of other fish that find shelter in the nooks and crannies of the coral heads. It’s an unmatched experience for any level of snorkeler as well as divers.
READ MORE: What are the best underwater hotels in the world?
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
It’s the stuff of legend. A superlative underwater spectacle few people have had the pleasure of experiencing. Snorkelers, divers, and photographers from around the world flock to Get Island in Komodo National Park on Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands. They come for a chance to swim among one of the most diverse coral reef systems on our planet.
Komodo National Park is one of the world’s last remaining treasure troves for snorkelers and scuba divers alike. The park, located in the westernmost part of Indonesia, protects a huge area of the pristine volcanic island, which is home to more than 200 species of fish, five species of sea turtles, and 20 species of coral. One of its most unique features is that it contains six endemic species found only here.
READ MORE: Explore our complete Indonesia Travel Guide
Devil’s Crown, Galapagos
Devil’s Crown, nearly 30 kilometres off the coast of Puerto Ayora on the island of San Cristobal, is a world-class spot. The reef spur doesn’t go very far but is perfect for snorkelling or swimming. Devil’s Crown is a crown of rock that juts out about 10 meters below the surface as the name implies. That’s where you want to be.
This group of islands consists of 13 major islands and over 100 smaller islets. The continental islands are located over a huge underwater canyon, the most important marine life area. Devil’s Crown has amazing marine life, and this area is an underwater volcano that has been submerged for millions of years. This adds rich minerals to the water giving corals and fish a bright palette of colours.
READ MORE: The Galapagos are also one of the best places to go swimming with dolphins
Bay of Donsol, The Philippines
Perched on a rugged coastal cliff in the northern Philippines lies a sleepy fishing village called Donsol. The beaches in Donsol are spectacular, but as it is located three hours from any major city by boat or plane, it remains undiscovered by visitors. If you are lucky enough to visit, though, and if you are patient enough to wait for the right conditions, you may have the privilege of seeing one of nature’s wonderments – the majestic whale shark.
READ MORE: Discover our complete Philippines Travel Guide
Baa Atoll, Maldives
The Baa Atoll consists of 19 small islands and is located roughly halfway between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn in the North Male atoll, in the Maldives.
Come experience the emerald-green waters that have earned the Maldives a special place in the history of snorkelling. Embark on an expedition to the world’s lowest island country, and explore its chain of 1.190 coral islands—some no more than a few feet above sea level.
READ MORE: The Maldives are also one of the world’s best places to swim with sharks
Koh Nang Yuan, Thailand
Oh, Thailand. How can we possibly talk about your islands without detailing the delights of Koh Nang Yuan? This island will have you swimming with sea turtles and enjoying postcard-worthy views better than any other Thai island.
Koh Nang Yuan (Koh Yao Noi or Koh Yao Yai) is located off the southern island of Phuket. The island can be reached by a long tail boat from piers in Rawai and Nai Harn. It is a tropical island and covers an area of approximately eight square kilometres. Koh Nan Yuan is a dream come true for snorkelers around the world.
READ MORE: Discover the land of smiles with our complete Thailand Travel Guide
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
On an island blessed with abundant tropical beauty set against crystal clear waters, Phu Quoc‘s coastline is dotted with natural wonders waiting to be discovered by snorkelers and scuba divers alike.
The water entrances of Phu Quoc are some of the best in the world for snorkelling, with soft coral gardens to explore, colourful fish everywhere and curious stingrays that swim close by. The sandy beaches are also perfect for a relaxing day out in the sun.
READ MORE: Find out what are the best places to visit in Vietnam
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Snorkelling has become one of the most popular tourist activities in Cairns, Australia. The experience is a simple one: no formalities are necessary for a trip to the reef, and tourists are able to take part in this activity while enjoying the thrill of viewing an underwater world and its inhabitants.
The Great Barrier Reef is a living system that exists as a result of the delicate balance between nature and man. Deepwater marine life has been protected from human interference by an extensive, unbroken coral barrier found along the Queensland coast south of Cooktown. This natural protection was formed more than 20 million years ago!
READ MORE: The top 10 best beaches in Australia to visit
Enjoy marine life and pure, adventurous fun? Then snorkelling is the sport for you. With this guide to the best snorkelling in the world, be sure to plan ahead for a full day of deep sea exploration.
