Snorkeling might just be the single most fun thing a nature lover can do in the water. If you have ever considered planning a trip with some great snorkeling involved, or perhaps even a trip entirely around an epic snorkel trip, we are here to help!
Below are some of the best spots we love for strapping on the mask and fins and hitting the water for some serious exploring. No matter what your particular interests are beneath the surface, we made sure to have a dream location here for you.
Here we go!
A “big” island with big splendor
Starting close to home is the beautiful and unforgettable snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawaii. Whether you are hoping to hear the migrations of humpback whales passing through, see dolphins dancing through the waves in the distance, or a whole beach full of honu (the sea turtles that call these waters their home) relaxing on the beach in the evening, this is the place for you.
Often travelers think perhaps since it is so easy to get to, Hawaii won’t have the quality of sea life that more exotic locations do, but thanks to its relative isolation in the Pacific Ocean there is an amazing variety of life to see.
Travel here is easy, everyone speaks English, you can use American dollars, and all your familiar brands are available, so if you want an easy choice for a dream trip don’t pass up a chance to visit Hawaii. If you don’t feel like packing underwater gear, you’ll find plenty of great places to rent but a favorite is Snorkel Bob’s which offers great weekly rental rates for your vacations.
Take your pick of islands in the Philippines
Catch a ride on a boat somewhere within this archipelago of 7,000 islands that make up the Philippines. Slide under the surface near Palawan island for your chance to get up close and personal with the largest fish in the world. The whale sharks that live here can grow up to 60 feet long and are as beautiful as they are gentle. There’s also no shortage of a massive variety of corals that are home to a whole aquatic ecosystem.
Consider the Caribbean
Perhaps you’ve always been considering a Caribbean destination for your snorkeling vacation?
Buck Island in the splendid St. Croix is the place to go to spend your time with the local octopus population and get to know these gentle geniuses better. The elkhorn coral reefs here are home to many vibrant parrotfish as well as three species of sea turtle.
Experience something unique in Palau
If you think you’ve seen it all, we have the perfect destination for you. Only a single marine lake on the island is open for snorkeling, but it is unlike any other place. Jellyfish Lake, as it is aptly named, is home to millions of golden jellyfish.
Like swimming through an enormous bubble tea, you can experience an isolated environment that has become a perfect breeding ground for a particular species to thrive for thousands of years.
Also, not to worry – these jellyfish have adapted to live on the algae of the lake, so their stings aren’t felt by humans and are harmless, unlike some of their cousins in other parts of the world. Feel free to float amongst them and experience this unique destination without a care in the world.
Explore like Darwin in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Chase Charles Darwin to the famed islands where he did a large portion of his research. He chose the Galapagos Islands because of its unique environment, wide range of life, and relative isolation, and we think you should too!
It is a little more difficult to get here than many of our other recommended destinations, but the sheer number and range of plants and animals you’re likely to see on an adventure here more than makes up for it.
If you’ve ever wanted to encounter penguins in the water, there aren’t a whole lot of other places you might choose to swim without a seriously thick wetsuit. Sea turtles, fur seals, sea lions, dolphins, humpback whales, and orcas, are just the shortlist of the awesome variety of sea life you’ll encounter while underwater here. And that doesn’t even break into the amazing animals you will encounter once you are back on land in the Galapagos islands.
Snorkel in luxury in the Maldives
Looking for a snorkeling trip that’s heavy on the luxury?
The Maldives offers all the comfort, luxury, and top-tier lodgings of virtually anywhere else on the planet while still allowing for some world-class snorkel time. You can even snorkel straight from the dock of your own overwater bungalow if you’d like. There are plenty to choose from no matter your desires.
If you are used to the finer things in life, look no further than the Maldives for your next snorkel trip. Once in the crystal clear water, you are instantly surrounded with about 700 species of fish to entertain underwater.
Learn from experts in Savusavu, Fiji
All of the locations we’re covering offer incredible underwater experiences. But Savusavu in Fiji offers something special: a resident marine biologist at the wonderful Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. Fiji serves as the soft coral capital of the world and has stunning life to explore while breathing through a snorkel. With experts on hand to explain the who’s who of underwater life, we think snorkeling with the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is second to none.
Ready to take off on the snorkel vacation of a lifetime?
We love activity-based vacations. Pair that with our love of tropical beaches and we become experts on locations around the globe that work great for snorkeling-lovers. Even if you’d rather stay on dry land, all of these locations work great for life on the beach or life underwater. Get in touch with us and we’ll set you up with the tropical vacation of a lifetime. The world awaits so let’s get planning!