- Best tourist destination: Florida Keys
- Underrated hidden gem: Ilha Grande, Brazil
- Best for families: Cayman Islands
- Best for couples: The Maldives
- Best for solo travelers: Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Snorkeling is the perfect tropical vacation activity. Not only is it easy enough for children to do, but it’s a way to immerse yourself in the underwater landscape of incredible coral reefs. Sadly, coral bleaching caused by climate change 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.
If you want to visit one of these 25 best snorkeling destinations in the world, make an effort to book environmentally minded experiences that focus on keeping the reef healthy for future generations to enjoy—and don’t forget the reef-safe sunscreen!
Florida Keys
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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. Visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, home to the Christ the Abyss Statue, which was placed on the reef in the 1950s, and part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for access to the only living coral reef in the continental U.S. You can book a snorkeling tour from many outfitters throughout the Keys such as Sombrero Reef Snorkeling Tours in Marathon or head out from Key West with a biologist on an Honest Eco tour.
Ilha Grande, Brazil
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 Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon) to swim with seahorses, ogle underwater coves, and follow a turtle or angelfish through a sunken jungle. If you have your wreck diving certification, the waters off Ilha Grande are also home to dozens of shipwrecks—remnants of the battles between pirates and the Portuguese.
Cayman Islands
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Fans of the famed French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau will appreciate the snorkeling opportunities in the clear waters off the coast of Grand Cayman Island. You can participate in the Ambassadors of the Environment hosted at the Ritz-Carlton, a program of immersive, guided experiences like snorkeling, underwater photography, and submarine excursions. Founded by Jacques 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 Maldives
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 aquamarine water here is so clear, that you don’t even need a snorkel mask to see through to the undersea gardens and wildlife below. The tiny islands that make up the Maldives are home to over 1,000 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.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapágos 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 islands are home to diverse marine life—sea turtles, dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, Galápagos penguins, fur seals, and sea lions. Brave souls can snorkel in Devil’s Crown, the sunken cone of a volcano near Floreana Island, to see vibrant fish, moray eels, and more.
Fiji
Over 300 islands make up this tropical country in the Pacific, which many say surpasses its neighbors when it comes to finding colorful corals. Under the water, Fiji has over 2,500 square miles of reef to explore, with the largest being Vanua Levu’s Great Sea Reef and Kadavu’s Great Astrolabe Reef. In addition to the size of its reefs, Fiji excels as a snorkeling destination thanks to the wide variety of fish species and corals, adding their own colors to the kaleidoscopic marine landscape. All over the islands, resorts like the Wakaya Club & Spa provide snorkel equipment so you can go looking for local marine life, from manta rays to octopus.
Red Sea, Egypt
In the Middle East, the reef-filled Red Sea is the center of the snorkeling and diving world. Along the Egyptian coast, you’ll find a wide array of beach resorts within swimming distance of fantastic corals and throngs of clownfish, sea turtles, and sharks. One of the most popular areas for snorkelers is Sharm El-Sheikh, a resort area located at the end of the Sinai Peninsula, and near the amazing snorkeling spots of Ras Mohammed National Park. Alternatively, base yourself in the small beach town of Hurghada on the mainland coast, the launch point for boat trips to islands like Abu Ramada, which is nicknamed “the Aquarium” because of its abundant sea life.
Malaysia
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Malaysia is the only mainland country in the Coral Triangle, a 2.3 million square-mile region home to about 75 percent of the world’s coral biodiversity. Brilliant coral reefs are found along the peninsula and also in Sabah, the Malaysian part of Borneo. However, the best snorkeling is found on offshore islands like Lang Tengah, which has hundreds of fish and coral species spread over five gorgeous locations. Off the coast of Sabah, the uninhabited Sipadan Island is considered one of the world’s best diving destinations, but the highlight for divers is the Coral Gardens, a dense area filled with beautifully colored coral formations.
Silfra, Iceland
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It might not be what you had in mind for a tropical vacation, but Iceland offers snorkelers the rare opportunity to swim between two tectonic plates. Located in Thingvellir National Park, the Silfra Fissure is a gap between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. The incredibly clear water is filtered by the lava deep underground, so you’ll always experience amazing visibility here. If you book a snorkel tour, you’ll be given all the gear you need to enjoy the view in this 35-degree Fahrenheit water, including double layers of a thermal wetsuit and a drysuit.
French Polynesia
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The home of some of the world’s most famous tropical islands like Tahiti and Bora Bora, French Polynesia has 118 islands to explore. Most are surrounded by cerulean lagoons thriving with colorful corals and marine life like rays, whales, and giant clams. You will find plenty of snorkeling opportunities around the main islands, particularly on the resort-filled Bora Bora, but you can also explore lesser-known islands like Taha’a, which has a phenomenal coral-filled lagoon. If you want to give back to the reef, pay a visit to Coral Gardeners on Mo’orea, a reef restoration initiative that lets visitors adopt and plant their own piece of coral.
Curaçao
This Caribbean island is an ideal destination for self-guided snorkeling because many reefs can be accessed directly from the shore, so there’s no need to rent a boat. You’ll find plenty of butterfly fish and parrotfish in the crystal clear waters surrounding Curaçao, but one of the best spots is Playa Kalki. Also known by the nickname “Alice in Wonderland,” it’s famous for its surrealistic coral formations. Another popular spot is Playa Porto Mari. At this beach club, which offers a restaurant and lounge chairs, you can swim out to an artificial reef built to attract marine life and benefit the environment.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
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Located off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is home to historic sites like the UNESCO-recognized Stone Town and is famous among snorkelers for its starfish. The two best sites are the Blue Lagoon and Starfish Reef, which are not extremely far from the beach, but they can be difficult to locate, so it’s best to book a tour. Zanzibar’s starfish, or sea stars if you prefer the scientific term, are incredibly colorful and varied in appearance. The multicolored knobbed starfish are the most common, but also keep your eyes out for their more puffy cousin, the cushion sea star.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
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.
The Big Island, Hawaii
The entire Hawaiian archipelago is home to incredible snorkeling spots, but the Big Island has the most to see. Not only does Kealakekua Bay offer technicolor coral and fish, but also a dose of history. Kealakekua Bay Historical State Park is the site where Captain James Cook landed on the island on his second trip to Hawaii in 1779. As it happens, one of the best snorkeling spots is a reef near the Captain Cook Monument. For more underwater adventures, head to the crystal waters of Honaunau Bay to explore its coral gardens alongside dolphins and tropical fish.
Palawan, Philippines
The waters surrounding over 7,600 islands in the Philippines make up a diverse ecosystem filled with breathtaking wildlife. The stunning region of Palawan has no shortage of snorkeling opportunities. You can stay at the private resort on NoaNoa Island for access to one of the most underrated snorkeling reefs in Palawan. Visit the island’s fish-filled lagoons, snorkel 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.
Buck Island, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
On Buck Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you’re likely to run into friendly octopi and parrot fish on Buck Island Reef, a national monument. Here, you can 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.
Komodo Island, Indonesia
While the giant lizards of their namesake island get most of the attention from visitors, Komodo Island in Indonesia has some fascinating inhabitants under the water, too. Head to Pink Beach to snorkel 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 get you to strap on a snorkel, there are mesmerizing sharks and a flourishing coral reef, too.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
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 snorkeling exploration, head to the Whitsunday Islands right off the shore of Queensland.
Jellyfish Lake, Palau
Only one of the marine lakes that dot the island country of Palau in Micronesia 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 “essentially harmless” to humans.
La Paz, Mexico
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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 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 sea lions at Isla Espíritu Santo. Keep your eyes peeled for blue-footed boobies on the way. This is one of the few places where these rare birds can be found outside of the Galápagos Islands.
Koh Tao, Thailand
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In the protected waters of the Japanese Gardens, just off Koh Tao, Thailand, 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.
Kauai, Hawaii
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Green sea turtles are the turtle species you’re most likely to see swimming in the waters off the island of Kauai. The Endangered Species Act protects these wild animals, which are tightly intertwined with Hawaiian culture, so do not attempt to touch them and always maintain enough distance. Your best chance of seeing them is on a small-group snorkeling charter that will take you out to the reef. If you want to go a step further, participate in the Ocean Alliance Project’s Sea Turtle Conservationist Program, during which you’ll help count and name them. Of course, there’s more to see than turtles—while you’re in the water, keep your eyes peeled for the ultimate fish spot, Hawaii’s tongue-twisting state fish with a nose like a pig snout, the humuhumunukunukuapua’a.
La Parguera, Puerto Rico
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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. The phenomenon is caused by microorganisms called dinoflagellates that light up when the water is agitated by waves or swimmers. In addition to La Parguera, Puerto Rico has two more bioluminescent bays where you can see this glowing phenomenon: Mosquito Bay and Laguna Grande.
Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
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If you dream of swimming with whales, Silver Bank is one of the best places in the world to do so, thanks to the largest annual migration of humpback whales in the North Atlantic. The whales return between January and April for mating and birthing season, and some lucky snorkelers may even get to see a mother and calf swimming together in the shallow waters. You can go with a tour operator like Aquatic Adventures or Conscious Breath Adventures, a couple of the few licensed operators running multiday cruises for daily whale encounters. In addition to humpback whales, Silver Bank’s Sanctuary for Marine Mammals is home to dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles.
Solomon Islands
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Making up the easternmost boundary of the Coral Triangle, the Solomon Islands are known for their 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 in the Solomon Islands. Apart from wildlife, sunken World War II relics scattered along the ocean floor will pique history buffs’ interest, such as the American Hellcat Fighter Plane, accessible from Gizo, or the wreck of a Hudson Bomber off Papatura Island.
