Trip Ideas Nature Travel 18 Best Snorkeling Spots Around the World See colorful marine life, thriving reefs, and crystal-clear waters at these top destinations from Australia to the U.S. Virgin Islands. By Melissa Locker Melissa Locker Melissa Locker is a freelance writer, editor, and podcast producer in New York City. Her work has appeared in Time magazine, Fast Company, Travel + Leisure, The Guardian, Vanity Fair, and Rolling Stone, among others. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 25, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: James R.D. Scott/Getty Images While scuba divers have the most freedom to explore underwater, snorkeling is easy enough for children and exciting enough for the most seasoned travelers. Whether you're taking your budding marine biologist to explore an underwater ecosystem or simply want to get close to a friendly shark, snorkeling truly immerses you in nature. The underwater scenery around islands, atolls, cays, and reefs is unmatched, but sadly climate change is endangering our watery wonderlands. Coral bleaching is already affecting many of the world's reefs. Coral is disappearing across the globe, and according to the United Nations Environment Programme, some scientists expect it could die out as soon as 2050. Consider booking an environmentally minded experience that uses sound practices. (And don't forget the reef-safe sunscreen!) To help plan your next adventure, explore 18 of the best places to snorkel around the world. 01 of 18 Ambergris Caye, Belize Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, Belize has many opportunities to get up close and personal with eels, rays, and all kinds of brightly colored fish. Hundreds of cays and atolls with colorful coral beneath the turquoise waters dot the Caribbean coastline. Some of the best options for divers and snorkelers are found off of Ambergris Caye, including the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, teeming with docile nurse sharks. It's the perfect place to live out your swimming-with-the-sharks fantasies. 02 of 18 Ilha Grande, Brazil Fred Siqueira/Getty Images Off the coast of Brazil, halfway between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, sits the wilderness wonderland of Ilha Grande. There are hotels on the island, but it manages to feel largely untouched, with monkey-filled jungles surrounded by brilliant blue waters brimming with vibrantly colored fish. Dive into the warm waters of the Blue Lagoon (Lagoa Azul) to swim with seahorses, ogle underwater coves, and follow a turtle or angelfish through a sunken jungle. The waters off Ilha Grande are also home to dozens of shipwrecks — remnants of the battles between pirates and the Portuguese. 03 of 18 The Big Island, Hawaii James R.D. Scott/Getty Images The entire Hawaiian archipelago is home to incredible snorkeling spots, but the Big Island (with more square footage than all the other islands combined) has the most to offer. The underwater state park at Kealakekua Bay not only has technicolor coral and fish, but it offers a dose of history, too, as it marks the spot where Captain James Cook landed on the island. Hit the water near the Captain Cook Monument to see dolphins and turtles. For more underwater adventures, head to the crystal waters of Honaunau Bay to explore its coral gardens alongside dolphins and tropical fish. 04 of 18 Palawan, Philippines Getty Images The waters surrounding over 7,600 islands in the Philippines make up a diverse ecosystem filled with breathtaking wildlife. There is no shortage of snorkeling opportunities, from diving into the Bay of Donsol for the chance to swim with whale sharks to visiting the coral reefs outside Noa Noa Island. The stunning Palawan island offers something for every underwater explorer though. Visit the island's fish-filled lagoons, dive into Honda Bay, explore Tubbataha Reef Natural Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and plan a day trip to meet the underwater inhabitants of Starfish and Cowrie islands. 05 of 18 Buck Island, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Michael Benanav/Getty Images On Buck Island in the Caribbean, you're likely to run into friendly octopi and parrot fish. While visiting the national monument, snorkel between the Elkhorn coral barrier reefs along an underwater trail through this sunken natural treasure. Three species of sea turtles nest at the park, brain coral abound, and both endangered brown pelicans and threatened least terns call it home. The shallow, gentle waters of this top destination for snorkeling are ideal for beginners. 06 of 18 Komodo Island, Indonesia Daniela Dirscherl/Getty Images While the giant lizards of their namesake island get most of the attention from visitors, Komodo has some fascinating inhabitants under the water, too. Head to Pink Beach to swim with rays, schools of groupers, and hawksbill turtles in the undersea garden that grows there. Alternatively, visit the sea surrounding Komodo National Park, which offers unmatched underwater exploration with over 1,000 species of fish, 260 types of coral, and 14 types of endangered whales, dolphins, and giant turtles. If that's not enough to strap on a snorkel, there are mesmerizing sharks and a flourishing coral reef, too. 07 of 18 The Maldives bennymarty/iStockphoto/Getty Images This Indian Ocean archipelago is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, but some of its greatest sights lie beneath the waves. The tiny islands that make up the Maldives are surrounded by aquamarine water that is home to some 700 species of fish, including tuna wahoos and butterfly fish. The water holds a multitude of other marine wonders, too, like sharks, turtles, anemones, coral, and octopi. If someone in your party doesn't like to snorkel, they can still enjoy the undersea gardens and wildlife, thanks to the islands' crystal clear water. The Best Time to Visit the Maldives 08 of 18 Great Barrier Reef, Australia Brett Monroe Garner/Getty Images It's impossible to talk about the world's best snorkeling spots without mentioning the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world — Australia's Great Barrier Reef. The reef is made up of roughly 2,900 individual reefs that stretch 1,429 miles off the Australian shoreline. Eye-popping coral, brilliant marine life, barracuda, manta rays, and skeletal ships that crashed there make the Great Barrier Reef a must-visit destination for divers and snorkelers. For an easy place to start your exploration, head to the Whitsunday Islands right off the shore of Queensland. 09 of 18 Galápagos Islands, Ecuador RenHo/iStockphoto/Getty Images These volcanic islands offer a glimpse into the natural world of finches, iguanas, and tortoises that inspired Charles Darwin, but beneath the waves that surround the archipelago lies an equally fascinating natural treasure trove. The Galápagos Islands are home to diverse marine life — sea turtles, dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, Galápagos penguins, fur seals, and sea lions. Brave souls can swim in Devil's Crown, the sunken cone of a volcano near Floreana Island, to see vibrant fish, moray eels, and more. The Ultimate Galápagos Islands Travel Guide 10 of 18 Palau TOSHIHARU ARAKAWA/Getty Images Only one of the marine lakes that dot Palau is open to snorkeling, but it's definitely worth the trip. Jellyfish Lake on the uninhabited island of Eil Malk is filled with millions of golden jellyfish that have thrived in the isolated spot for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. For a truly otherworldly experience, visitors can snorkel among the floating, gelatinous creatures. If you're worried you might get stung, relax. According to the Coral Reef Research Foundation, the sting of this algae-eating subspecies is usually imperceptible to humans. 11 of 18 La Paz, Mexico Ullstein Bild/Getty Images Just over 100 miles north of Los Cabos, tucked along the Sea of Cortez, La Paz is the sleepy capital of Baja California Sur. Once called "the world's aquarium" by famed French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, it remains one of the most diverse waterscapes in the world. In addition to a wide variety of fish and other marine life that live there year-round, snorkelers can swim with massive adolescent whale sharks in the calmer waters of La Paz's Bay. A short boat ride away, jump into the water with playful seals at Isla Espíritu Santo. Keep your eyes peeled for blue-footed boobies on the way. This is one of the few places the rare bird species can be found outside of the Galápagos Islands. 12 of 18 Cayman Islands Noel Hendrickson/Getty Images Fans of Cousteau will also appreciate the snorkeling opportunities off the coast of Grand Cayman Island. Visit the Ambassadors of the Environment housed at the Ritz-Carlton for immersive, guided experiences while snorkeling such as underwater photography. Founded by Cousteau's son, Jean-Michel, the educational center continues the explorer's conservation work. Swim along reefs with a camera to spot stingrays, sea urchins, and plenty of fish. The clear waters and diverse corals below the waves are the perfect backdrop for snorkelers skimming the surface. How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Grand Cayman 13 of 18 Koh Tao, Thailand imageBROKER/Franzel Drepper/Getty Images In the protected waters of the Japanese Gardens, just off Koh Tao, snorkelers and divers can see one of the area's most varied collections of corals. The site lies between the islets of Koh Nang Yuan, which are connected by a sandbar. Glide through underwater gardens featuring lobed pore, slipper, and mushroom corals, among others. The thriving reef is also home to plenty of fish, clams, and sea worms in all hues and shapes. 14 of 18 Florida Keys Stephen Frink/Getty Images If you're searching for a tropical destination sans passport, head to the Florida Keys. There, you can snorkel in mangrove forests, seagrass fields, and a coral reef. In addition to the many vivid fish species, scout out sea sponges, eels, and Goliath grouper among the corals. You might pass submerged statues too. Visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for access to more than 175 square nautical miles of marine ecosystems and the only living coral reef in the continental U.S. 15 of 18 Kauai, Hawaii YinYang/Getty Images Known for its cerulean waters and thriving underwater life, Hawaii remains an excellent snorkeling destination — no matter which island you choose. Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu, are the turtle species you're most likely to see in Kauai's waters. The Endangered Species Act protects these wild animals, which are tightly intertwined with Hawaiian culture, so do not attempt to touch them and maintain enough distance. Head to Tunnels Beach along the island's north shore to see the occasional monk seal, too. 16 of 18 La Parguera, Puerto Rico Edwin Soto/Getty Images Moving away from open water reefs and to the southwest corner of Puerto Rico, La Parguera Natural Reserve offers an alternative snorkeling experience thanks to its mangrove channels. Swim through the still, peaceful waters with small fish below the surface. Above the water, float along looking for a variety of birds under swags of vine-like limbs. Local outfitters can arrange a snorkeling tour of one of the reserve's bioluminescent bays after dark, when the water takes on a dramatic glowing hue. The phenomenon is caused by a chemical reaction that occurs inside microorganisms called dinoflagellates, similar to the light inside fireflies' tails. 17 of 18 Silver Bank, Dominican Republic Bernard Radvaner/Getty Images Silver Bank is one of the best snorkeling destinations because of its proximity to thousands of migratory North Atlantic humpback whales. Set off for the Dominican Republic between December and April when the whales are in the area to mate and birth their calves. Some lucky snorkelers might get to see a mother and calf swimming together in the shallow waters. In addition to humpback whales, Silver Bank's Sanctuary for Marine Mammals is also home to dolphins, manatees, and conchs. 18 of 18 Solomon Islands Reinhard Dirscherl/Getty Images Making up the easternmost boundary of the Coral Triangle in the Pacific Ocean, this region is known for its impressive collection of reef-building corals and six of the seven marine turtle species found worldwide. Snorkelers can spot some of the thousands of fish species that live among the coral. Eye-catching and staggeringly large eagle rays can also be found among the Solomon Islands. Apart from wildlife, sunken World War II warships scattered along the ocean floor will pique history buffs' interest. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit