10 places to tick for snorkeling enthusiasts
Intrepid tourists know that when you get fed up and tired of exploring the historical and archaeological sites that you find in all the destinations of the world, when you can no longer bear the thought of visiting one more museum, or when you are tired of all the bazaars or markets traditional in the world, there is only one thing left to do: to put your head under water!
Although scuba divers have the greatest freedom to explore the underwater world, snorkeling is quite easy, even for children and quite interesting even for the most dissatisfied tourists. Whether you take your friend who is passionate about marine biology and go together to explore an underwater ecosystem, or you want to get closer to a friendly shark, snorkeling is an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in nature.
To help you plan your next adventure, we have put together 10 of the best places in the world where you can snorkel in the best conditions.
The list ranges from US national parks to once-in-a-lifetime vacation destinations like the Maldives or Komodo Island.
Whichever of these destinations you choose to visit, you will see impressive underwater views that will take your breath away. Good thing you have the snorkeling hose with you to save you!
The underwater scenery of these islands, islets, atolls and reefs is unparalleled, but unfortunately climate change is endangering the wonders of these aquatic paradises.
Coral bleaching is already affecting many reefs around the world, coral is disappearing in many places around the globe, and some scientists expect it to disappear entirely by 2050. Here's another reason to start planning your snorkeling vacation now that you dream of.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Image source: ambergriscaye.com
The place where there is the largest coral barrier, after Australia, (approximately 300 km), Belize offers the chance to those who are passionate to be face to face with patterns, fins and all kinds of fish in bright colors. Here there are hundreds of islets and atolls that dot the Caribbean coast, full of coral submerged under magnificent turquoise waters.
Some of the best options for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts can be found outside Ambergris Caye, including Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the aptly named Shark Ray Alley, full of nurse sharks (or nurse sharks), with which you can fulfill your fantasy of swimming with sharks.
Ilha Grande, Brazil
Off the coast of Brazil, halfway between Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro, is the wild paradise of Ilha Grande. The island is not without hotels, but nevertheless the location manages to keep its virgin air, with islands dotted with monkeys, surrounded by bright blue waters, full of brightly colored fish.
Dive into the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon (Lagoa Azul) to swim with seahorses, admire underwater caves and follow a turtle or angelfish through a submerged jungle.
The waters around Ilha Grande are also home to dozens of shipwrecks – remnants of battles between pirates and the Portuguese.
Big Island, Hawaii
The entire Hawaiian archipelago is surrounded by incredible snorkeling locations, but The Big Island – which has a larger area than all the other islands combined – has the most to offer. The underwater park at Kealakekua Bay not only has corals in the most beautiful shades and colorful fish, but also brings a good dose of history to tourists, because it marks the place where Captain James Cook anchored on the island. Dive near the Captain Cook Monument to see dolphins, turtles and much more marine life! For even more underwater adventures, head to the crystal clear waters of Honaunau Bay to explore coral gardens alongside dolphins and tropical fish.
Palawan Island, Philippines
Although the Philippines may not seem like the most obvious snorkeling destination, the waters surrounding the 7,000 islands in the archipelago form a diverse ecosystem, full of breathtaking wildlife. You will not lack snorkeling destinations, starting from diving in the Bay of Donsol, which offers you the chance to swim with whale sharks, and up to visiting the coral reefs in the area of Noa Noa Island.
The amazing islands of Palawan have something to offer for every underwater explorer. You can visit the island's fish-filled lagoons, dive in Honda Bay, explore Tubbataha Reef, and plan a day trip to meet the underwater inhabitants of Starfish and Cowrie Islands.
Buck Island, St. Croix, USVI
Image source: bigbeards.com
Visits to national parks tend to lead us to think of majestic mountains and bison, but on Buck Island in the Virgin Islands, you're more likely to meet a friendly octopus than a bear stealing your picnic basket.
Here you can swim among the Elkhorn coral reefs, beneath the brilliant blue waters of Buck Island, and watch a colorful parrotfish pass along an underwater path through this sunken national treasure. Three species of sea turtles have their home in Buc Island and the brain coral is here in abundance.
The delicate, shallow waters are ideal for those who are new to snorkeling.
Komodo Island, Indonesia
Image source: swimtrek.com
Although the giant crocodiles that call this island "home" attract most of the visitors' attention, Komodo also has some absolutely fascinating inhabitants in the underwater world. Go to Pink Beach to swim with the fins, the schools of perch and the loggerhead turtles, in the underwater garden that grows here. In addition, you can visit the waters around the Komodo National Park, which offers the chance to explore unimaginable and unparalleled underwater areas, with over 1000 species of fish, 260 types of coral and 14 types of endangered whales, dolphins and giant turtles. If this is not enough to convince you to start a snorkeling experience in Komodo, it is good to know that you will also find sharks here, as well as a thriving coral reef, which will not let you forget this destination.
MALDIVES
Image source: innviaggi.com
are one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, but some of the most attractive views of the island are found underwater. The small islands that make up the archipelago are surrounded by sea-blue water, home to over 70 species of fish, including wahoo and butterfly fish.
In the waters of the Maldives, there are many other marine wonders as well, such as sharks, turtles, anemones, corals and maybe one or two friendly octopuses.
If you have friends in your group who are not keen on snorkeling and still come with you on vacation to the Maldives, they can equally enjoy the underwater gardens and the wild life on the islands, thanks to the impressively clear waters.
Eil Malk Island, Palau
Image source: yourshot.nationalgeographic.com
Only one of the marine lakes around Palau is open to snorkeling, but it might be worth going there just for it. Jellyfish Lake on the uninhabited island of Eil Malk lives up to its name, being filled with millions of golden jellyfish, which have thrived in the isolated lake for hundreds if not thousands of years.
For a truly otherworldly experience, visitors can snorkel among the floating gelatinous creatures. Although jellyfish are famous for their stings, the jellyfish of Eil Malk have a non-poisonous sting, because they eat algae - and not other animals - and apparently, their stings can barely be felt by people who bathe in the waters here.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Image source: discover.ro
It is impossible to talk about the best snorkeling destinations in the world without mentioning the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world - the Great Barrier Reef, in Australia. The reef is actually made up of 2,900 individual reefs, which stretch over an area of over 2,200 km off the Australian coast.
Corals that catch your eye, a brilliant marine life, barracudas, sea cats and the remains of ships that have crashed on the reef... all make the Great Barrier Reef a must-see destination, especially if you are a fan of the ocean. If you want an easy place to start your exploration, head to the Whitsunday Islands, just off the coast of Queensland.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The dry land of the 19 volcanic islands that make up the Galapagos archipelago offers a view of the natural world of finches, iguanas and turtles that inspired Charles Darwin, but beneath the waves that surround these islands, lies a true natural treasure that is just as fascinating … The different islands are home to diverse marine life – sea turtles, dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, Galapagos penguins, fur seals and sea lions. The brave can swim in the Devil's Crown, a sunken cone of a volcano near Floreana Island, to see brightly colored fish, patterns and more.
