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Are you planning a snorkeling trip but don’t know where to go to find the best reefs and marine life? Whether your goal is to travel to tropical islands or find the best snorkeling tours, we’ll provide you with the information you need to explore the ocean.
We’ve been through popular reviews and done our research to compile this travel guide. Here are some of the best snorkeling locations in the world.
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia
The Great Barrier Reef in the Pacific Ocean is the best place to see vibrant marine life and beautiful coral. Moreover, it is the world’s biggest reef system and comprises 2,900 distinct reefs and coral cays that extend 1,400 miles offshore from Queensland.
This impressive reef is home to six different kinds of sea turtles and thousands of fish species.
Taking a boat tour from Port Douglas or Cairns to several locations is the ideal way to enjoy this year-round underwater experience.
Grenada in the Caribbean Island
The first-ever sea sculpture garden may be seen in Molinere Sculpture Park, located on the Caribbean Island known for its spices, green highlands, and picturesque cliffs.
At the sandy bottom of Molinere Bay, only a half-hour’s boat trip from Pink Gin Beach in Grenada is a variety of ecological, subaquatic modern art.
These coral-filled concrete sculptures provide a special underwater experience, which is alive with vibrant fish and includes the well-known ring of kids holding hands. This makes the Caribbean Island the ideal place to snorkel.
Galapagos Islands in Ecuador
Charles Darwin was inspired by the iguanas, finches, and tortoises on the Galapagos Islands, a group of 19 volcanic islands. An equally intriguing biological treasure trove is beneath the oceans that encircle these islands.
Biologically diverse species, including sea turtles, orcas, dolphins, penguins, humpback whales, sea lions, seals, and more, may be found amongst the group of islands. Swimming in Devil’s Crown, a volcano’s submerged cone close to Floreana Island, will allow brave snorkelers to witness vividly colored fish, moray eels, and other creatures.
The Bay of Donsol in the Philippines
The Philippines has over 7,000 islands, making it difficult to choose the best snorkeling location. This is particularly true if the waters around the archipelago contain a varied environment home to incredible fauna. You can snorkel next to a whale shark, the largest fish in the world, at the Bay of Donsol in the north Philippine province of Sorsogon.
Between November and June, these creatures gather in Donsol Bay, where they feed on the rich nutrients that come from the river’s mouth. On a single boat cruise, snorkelers can view up to 20 whale sharks, making a trip to the Philippines a must if you are an avid snorkeler.
Komodo National Park in Indonesia
The Lesser Sunda archipelago of Indonesia, a group of volcanic islands that extends eastward from Java, is where Komodo National Park is situated in the middle of the chain. Six years after it was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo Dragon, the Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Moreover, the National Park receives a lot of interest because it is one of just five islands where people can observe these lizards in the wild, but you shouldn’t ignore the nearby oceans. The reefs are teeming with a variety of unique underwater life, including manta rays, dugongs, sharks, and over 1,000 different kinds of tropical fish.
Eil Malk Island in Palau
There is just one marine lake in Palau that is suitable for snorkeling, but it is still worth the trip. On the abandoned island of Eil Malk, a body of water known as Jellyfish Lake is home to millions of golden jellyfish that have survived there for hundreds of years.
People can snorkel among the drifting, gelatinous animals for a genuinely otherworldly encounter.
Although jellyfish are notorious for stinging, these stings are non-poisonous since they eat algae rather than other creatures. According to reports, people who dive into their waters barely feel their stings. This is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a pm dive.
Spend a Day in the Maldives
The Maldives is one of the most magnificent places on earth, yet some of the best sights are found in the water. Moreover, the archipelago’s small islands are encircled by seas that are teeming with 700 different species of fish, including tuna, wahoo, and butterfly fish.
There are other marine marvels in the ocean, including coral, sharks, anemones, turtles, and perhaps a few amiable octopuses. The islands’ crystal-clear blue water allows those who don’t enjoy snorkeling to still appreciate the underwater gardens and fauna.
Buck Island in St. Croix, USVI
On Buck Island in the Virgin Islands in the United States, where visits to national parks are common, you are more likely to encounter a pleasant octopus than a bear that will swipe your picnic lunch.
You can follow a vibrant parrot fish along an undersea path through this lost national treasure as you snorkel among the elkhorn coral barrier reefs beneath Buck Island’s stunning blue seas. It is one of the best places to spend time getting to know some of the top marine species, and many make trips there to take in marine life
Madang in Papua New Guinea
The tropical country of Papua New Guinea is situated in the Coral Triangle, commonly referred to as the ocean’s Amazon, to the north of Australia. Just by virtue of being so far away, Papua New Guinea and its outlying islands inspire awe.
The country has more than 700 tribes, and its underwater population is just as diverse. Crowding is not a problem in Papua New Guinea, so the reefs have maintained their purity and abundance.
Planet Rock, a volcanic rock formation just offshore of Madang, is teeming with sharks, tuna, snapper, and barracuda. There are numerous nearby WWII wrecks to visit if you like diving.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve read about some of the best snorkeling destinations in the world, you can use our guide to book your next excursions. You can search for hidden underwater treasures and take a trip along a path to see some of the best views that are only open to snorkeling enthusiasts.