Spring always makes me think of spring break and heading off somewhere warm where I’ll be surrounded by palm trees and hopefully have access to a beach! Since it’s been snowy and cold in Denver lately, I’ve been dreaming of a tropical getaway and one of the best activities on a beach vacation is snorkeling!
While on most of our travels, we’re exploring what’s on the surface by roaming the streets and entering amazing feats of architectural design or spending some time savoring food and wine, but with snorkeling we get to see Mother Nature’s handiwork under the sea!
If you’re thinking of an island vacation and looking for the best snorkeling destinations, maybe one of these marine life hot spots is just the ticket!
Best snorkeling destinations in North America
Let’s just summarize this by saying any Hawaiian Island is a good bet for amazing snorkeling!
Big Island, Hawaii, USA
While the Big Island is known for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and its volcanic activity, there’s tons of activity going on under the water, too! Head to Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, a site rich in history and marine life. Not only is this site popular with snorkelers, but it’s also the site where Captain Cook arrived on Hawaii in 1778 and then died in 1779. Here, you can spot honu or turtles, dolphins, vibrant schools of fish, and colorful coral in this Marine Life Conservation District.
Another Big Island snorkeling option is near Kona or Keauhou to snorkel with manta rays! These manta ray snorkel tours on Hawaii are actually done at night, where you watch the mantas come out for dinner! Snorkeling with manta rays is completely safe as they don’t have stingers or barbs and their preferred food source is plankton. These snorkeling excursions are a bit different than traditional ones as you’re not really swimming. Most tours bring out a light projector and provide noodles so you stay relatively still and flat while watching the mantas eat and perform an aerobatic show!
Oahu, Hawaii, USA
If you’re vacationing on Oahu, you’ll want to plan some time to snorkel in Hanauma Bay! Since 1967, Hanauma Bay has been a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park and has a serious dedication to marine life protection education. All visitors must watch an introductory video about the Bay and rules for visiting as well as pay the park fee. See hundreds of tropical fish, including the State fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, among other beautiful marine life. Please note that Hanauma Bay is closed every Tuesday!
Oahu’s North Shore is home to Shark’s Cove – a popular snorkeling site with shallow. calm, and clear water. Contrary to the snorkel site’s name, you won’t see any sharks here but you will see amazing species of fish, coral, and some other popular sea creatures like turtles and octopuses. Generally, you’ll want to visit Shark’s Cove during the summer as the waves can get pretty big in the winter.
The Florida Keys, USA
Want to visit the only tropical coral reefs in the contiguous United States? Then you’re off to the Florida Keys for your snorkeling adventure. Dry Tortugas National Park is a popular choice and can be accessed from Key West, Biscayne National Park is another great choice, or you’ll find exceptional snorkeling in the Middle Keys, like Islamorada for visiting the variety of reefs or check out Marathon and the patches and reefs there. Head to Crystal River to see manatees and different species of fish on your snorkel journey while snorkeling in the Florida Keys!
Maui, Hawaii, USA
Molokini Crater, just a few miles off of Maui, is well-known for snorkeling with its almost perfect visibility and clear waters. The crater is home to a very healthy coral reef and impressive array of fish, and even some whale sharks. As you pop above the water’s surface, you might see some seabirds on the rocky cliffs as well! Some Hawaii snorkel tour companies also include a stop at Turtle Town where you swim with the world-famous Hawaiian green sea turtles. A different option for snorkeling off of Maui includes Kapalua Beach to see turtles, multi-colored coral, eels, and even migrating whales during the winter!
La Jolla, California, USA
See sea lions and seals as you snorkel the waters off this coastal city in California. While you can find snorkel tours in the area, you could also rent a kayak to explore some of the unique caves in the area and enjoy a different kind of on-the-water activity.
Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
Want to swim with some playful dolphins? Then you’ll want to head out near Shell Island near Panama City Beach, FL for some dolphin watching with your snorkeling! Of course you’ll also see other marine life and fish on your tour, but the biggest draw is these intelligent mammals.
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Isla Mujeres is a popular snorkel destination so you should be prepared for some crowds and tourists. But, once you’re in the water and taking in the sights of coral reef and tropical fish, and surrounded by turquoise waters, you might forget about everything else. Snorkeling is a popular activity so you’ll easily find a snorkel tour company to get you out to the best sites and maybe even combine your trip with some fishing or a sunset cruise! 
Best snorkeling locations in Central America and the Caribbean
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Visit the world-famous Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world and spans 25 miles along the Ambergris Caye shoreline. See the beautiful coral and cayes, which are little islands of coral sand, at this renowned snorkeling destination in Belize. See swimming schools of fish, crabs, lobsters, and even bigger marine life like manatees and sharks!
Bonaire
Known as a spectacular scuba diving location, Bonaire also has plenty to offer snorkelers and those staying closer to the surface. With shore access, snorkeling is available on your schedule or you can take a boat out to Klein Bonaire and head to the fantastically-named No Name Beach. Bari Reef is known for its abundance of fish and coral. Be ready to see turtles as you snorkel the warm waters of this tropical oasis!
Silver Bank in the Dominican Republic
Ever wanted to swim with the world’s largest mammal? Head to the Silver Bank in the Dominican Republic to make it happen. Known as one of the only three places in the world for snorkeling with humpback whales, the Silver Bank provides a safe passage for migrating whales in the winter and is a must-visit for any hardcore snorkeler.
Cayman Islands (British Overseas Territory)
The Cayman Islands have a few exceptional snorkeling locations, like the shipwreck, the Cali, Seven Mile Beach, Devil’s Grotto, and Stingray City. At Stingray City, swim over and have an up-close encounter with these unique marine creatures as well as see gardens of corals and bright, tropical fish.
Turks & Caicos (British Overseas Territory)
Check out the gorgeous reefs and impressive walls at the islands of Turks and Caicos! Along with seeing the Bright Reef and Smith’s Reef and the marine life and sand dollars and starfish, you might also spot migrating humpback whales in these islands’ waters.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Set sail for the U.S. Virgin Islands and enjoy some wonderful snorkeling at Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John! Swim with sea turtles, schools of fish, and explore the unique coral and sponges that call these sparkling aquamarine waters home. Some popular snorkeling sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands include St. Croix’s Cane Bay, St. John’s Watermelon Cay/Leinster Bay and Hurricane Hole, and St. Thomas’ Coki Point Beach.
Puerto Rico
When it comes to snorkeling off of Puerto Rico, you’ll need to head to Vieques or Culebra! With generally warm water year-round and great visibility in the crystal clear water, these snorkel sites are teeming with marine life and fantastic underwater views.
Australia’s best snorkeling destinations
Great Barrier Reef
It’s pretty obvious why this barrier reef made the list! This 1,430-mile reef is the largest coral reef in the world and its vibrant coral hues and gigantic fish add to the allure of snorkeling at this Australia gem. If you want to be surrounded by schools of fish, amazing coral formations, and checking off a bucket list item, a snorkel tour in the Great Barrier Reef is a must!
Whitsundays
Another popular option is the Whitsunday Islands! The Whitsundays looks like the end all be all of paradise with white sand beaches and dazzling bright blue waters and makes for the perfect spot to snorkel. Langford Island is a great destination if you’re dreaming of snorkeling with turtles, Dumbell Island could help you live out your Finding Nemo dreams with clownfish and blue tang, Maureen’s Cove, and Butterfly Bay – a haven for butterflies in the cooler months.
Ningaloo
Manta rays, reef sharks, turtles, oh my! Ningaloo is a premier snorkeling destination in Western Australia with hundreds of species of coral and more than 500 species of fish! With options for first-timers and families to areas ideal for practiced snorkelers, Ningaloo is a true paradise for diving and snorkeling. There are areas that you can simply walk out into the water from the beach to snorkel, or you can take a tour that’ll take you to sites further out and provide all the necessary equipment.
Amazing snorkeling destinations in South America
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
If you want to swim with a diverse variety of marine life and wildlife, you need to get to the Galapagos Islands! With the snorkeling here, you can swim with sea lions (and their pups), dolphins, reef sharks, turtles, and even penguins. Sign me up! Some popular snorkel sites near the Galapagos Islands includes: Chinese Hat Islet, James Bay on Santiago Island, Pinnacle Rock at Bartolome Island, and Tagus Cove on Isabela Island to see the marine iguanas.
Ilha Grande, Brazil
Enjoy year-round warm waters, amazing visibility, and an abundance of fish as you snorkel Ilha Grande! There are also several shipwreck sites in the area to explore but most come for the marine life and stunning tropical setting.
Excellent snorkeling locations in Africa
Safaga, Egypt
Snorkel in the Red Sea and enjoy a non-touristy spot where you’re surrounded by beautiful nature and marine life in a protected coral reef.
Mozambique
Tropical beaches and vivid blue waters are the setting for this excellent East Africa snorkeling destination. Check out Two Mile Reef and the Bazaruto archipelago as must-visit locations for snorkeling. Spot devil rays, turtles, reef sharks, and various fish as well as whales in winter, and other marine life like sea urchins, sea apples, and anemones.
Best snorkeling destinations in Asia and Southeast Asia
The Phillippines
Discover the coral, sponges, and thousands of species of fish that swim in the waters of the islands (more than 7,000 of them) of the Philippines. As you swim in the aquamarine waters, keep a lookout for octopus, turtles, whale sharks, manta rays, and dugongs – similar to manatees. Some of the most famous places to snorkel in the Philippines includes Palawan, Noa Noa Island, the Bay of Donsol, Bora Cay, and Apo Island.
Indonesia
The waters near Komodo National Park, also a Word Heritage Site, have been on the hot list for snorkeling for years. The bright corals, tropical fish, and pygmy seahorses deserve their own notable mention, though seeing the Komodo dragons is definitely a major draw to the area. This area is also home to huge stretches of sandy beaches, perfect for a sunbathing break.
Another amazing snorkeling destination in Indonesia is the Raja Ampat archipelago! Not as famous with tourists, it offers a calm retreat in an incredible underwater universe that’s teeming with diverse marine life like turtles, octopus, and soft corals.
The Maldives
Another great location for shore-entry snorkeling or finding fantastic snorkel tours, The Maldives has been a popular place to dive and snorkel for years. Many of the resorts there have their own house reefs, so you can simply roll out of bed, put on your suit, grab your gear, and enjoy a morning or afternoon of snorkeling. See soft and hard corals, anemones, beautiful tropical fish, as well as sharks, tuna, and even the occasional manta ray or whale shark.
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
Head out to the sparkling waters of the Phi Phi Islands! You might take more photos of your beautiful surroundings with the sheer limestone cliffs, caves, and inviting white sand beaches than underwater photos on this Thailand excursion. The snorkeling is excellent with a healthy abundance of fish, coral, and giant clams in the seafoam green waters.
Where’s your favorite spot for the best snorkeling? Tell us in the comments below!
