With 70 percent of the Earth covered by water, there is no shortage of breathtaking snorkeling locations all over the world, making it impossible to choose the best spot to go. Do you want to see vivid coral reefs? Tropical fish and sea creatures? Are you curious about the most iconic places to go? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with our favorite five snorkeling destinations.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
There’s no doubt about it; the Great Barrier Reef in Australia is a prime place to see some colorful coral and fish. This reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is the only living thing on Earth seen from space. Located off the coast of Queensland, in the Coral Sea, it is the most extensive coral reef system on the planet, with 2,900 individual reefs. While snorkeling, it’s possible to see over 1,500 different fish species, including the clownfish. There are also six species of sea turtles that visit the reef every year to breed. Surely, you’ll see unforgettable marine life and stunning coral while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.
Red Sea, Egypt
The Red Sea truly has it all: plunging technicolor walls of coral reef, synchronized schools of fish, old World War II shipwrecks, and the ocean’s largest fish, the whale shark. That’s what makes this destination one of the best in the world for snorkeling. The waters in the Red Sea can reach up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit so divers and snorkelers will stay toasty warm. While you can snorkel off the coast to see some beautiful coral reefs, the best way to catch a glimpse of a dugong – a species of sea cow – or spinner dolphins is by taking a boat tour. There is no lack of tour companies around the different hotels along the coastline.
Santiago, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Galápagos Islands is a great place to snorkel. Surrounded by clear blue water is Sombrero Chino, an island off the coast of Santiago. These warm and shallow waters are perfect for beginners and experienced snorkelers. What it lacks in vibrant coral reef, it makes up for in sea creatures. Expect to swim beside Green Sea Turtles, watch as Galápagos Penguins zoom by you in the water, and become surrounded by playful and curious sea lions. Forgetting an underwater camera is not an option because you definitely will want to capture these magical underwater moments.
Bermuda
There are so many wonderful places in Bermuda to snorkel. The vibrant blue sea stays relatively warm all year round. There are coral reefs that you can explore off the coast of Church Bay, with easy access from the beach. There are also an estimated 300 sunken ships in the area that can be explored. People interested in seeing the sunken ships must book a boat to head to Western Blue Cut, a few miles offshore. Bermuda’s clear blue waters allow snorkelers to see up to 80 feet below sea level.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora is an excellent place for snorkeling as there are many shallow lagoons. With a number of coral gardens located in the Bora Bora lagoons, it is home to several different types of tropical fish, stingrays, manta rays, and reef sharks. There is a natural aquarium east of the main island that can be reached by kayaking or renting a boat, depending on where travelers are staying. The aquarium is great for beginners because wildlife supervisors watch over the area. For more advanced snorkelers, there are boats that take adventurers out slightly farther into the Pacific Ocean to snorkel alongside sharks.