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Fin-tastic underwater snorkel adventures
What’s not to love about snorkelling? The relaxation. The freedom. The chance to experience the hidden underwater world up close. It’s fantastic exercise that’s good for your body and soul. You don’t need a certificate to do it. And if you’ve got your own mask and snorkel, it’s usually free!
There are so many great snorkelling destinations in the world waiting to be discovered. So, go and get your snorkelling gear ready because we’re about to dive headfirst into the top 10 best snorkelling destinations in the world!
1. Cartagena
First up on our list of the best snorkelling destinations in the world: Cartagena. And we’re not talking Cartagena, Spain, oh no. We’re talking about Cartagena de las Indias, Colombia’s Caribbean jewel.
One of the top snorkelling sites in Cartagena is the idyllic Rosario Islands Archipelago. This cluster of small rocky islets is known for its tranquil turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs and, of course, exotic marine creatures.
And how can you visit the Rosario Islands? Take a day trip to the Bora Bora Beach Club or a speed boat out to San Martin de Pajarales Island, famous for its excellent visibility. So, dive in and discover why Cartagena is one of the essential snorkelling destinations in the Caribbean.
- Expect to see: a kaleidoscope of colourful tropical fish, turtles and even rays. If you’re lucky (or unlucky!), you might even paddle into a nurse shark. But don’t worry! The ferocious-looking finned fellas are actually quite harmless to humans.
2. Corfu
Pack some sunscreen and your sense of adventure to travel to Corfu, land of ancient gods and crystal-clear waters. There are many brilliant snorkel spots around the island where you can don your mask and wade into the warm waters of the Ionian Sea.
One of the best is Perama. This sheltered beach has very little wave activity, meaning you get to see the diverse marine life more easily as you calmly bob up and down. And you’re much less likely to get a gobful of sandy sea water!
- Expect to see: crabs, sea urchins, iridescent fish, amazing rock formations, starfish and squid.
3. Pattaya
The snorkelling scene in Pattaya is centred around islands. Take a trip to the popular Coral Island (Koh Larn in Thai) for, yes, you guessed it, coral! The reef is as pristine as the water is clear. It’s only a few miles off the coast from Pattaya and is easy to get to.
Another of Pattaya’s blissful islands is Nemo Island. This is the place to head if you want to snap an underwater selfie with everyone’s favourite little orange fish. The reefs around this island are populated by “Nemos” (also known as clownfish).
- Expect to see: clownfish, butterflyfish, tropical coral fish and turtles.
4. Beirut
Lebanon’s capital may be known for its buzzing nightlife, but its underwater world is where the real party’s at. Yes, Beirut is the surprise number four on our list of the all-time great snorkelling destinations!
Head to the locals’ favourite snorkelling spot: Al Raouche Rocks, which translate as Pigeon Rocks. Just a stone’s throw (or should that be a rock’s throw?!) away from Beirut’s coast, these two enormous limestone fingers rise majestically out of the Mediterranean Sea. They were almost made to be a selfie backdrop.
Lebanon has many other great snorkelling destinations within an hour or so. Abou Ali Beach in Batroun offers shallow water that’s ideal for newbie snorkellers. And at the Tyre Coast, there’s a high chance of seeing sea turtles!
- Expect to see: damselfish, groupers, sea urchins, parrotfish, crabs, sea cucumbers and, if you’re lucky, squid and cuttlefish.
5. Malta
With its translucent waters and abundant marine biodiversity, snorkelling in Malta is just wonderful.
Some of Malta’s best snorkelling is on Comino, a smaller island that is part of the Maltese archipelago. The famous Blue Lagoon offers snorkelling and swimming opportunities aplenty. You can even snorkel in the Blue Lagoon caves! This not-very-hidden gem gets busy in the high season (July – August), so try to avoid those months if you don’t like crowds.
Another of Malta’s super snorkelling spots is Anchor Bay. This picturesque bay offers shelter, shallow reefs and a variety of subaquatic species. While you’re here, pop into Popeye Village! The classic 1980 film Popeye, starring Robin Williams, was filmed here. For the last 40+ years, the town has been a homage to the movie, with rides, museums and set pieces dotted around the town.
- Expect to see: large schools of seabream and sandy bottom dwellers, such as the wonderfully-winged flying gurnard, wide-eyed flounder, the red mullet and weevers.
6. Panama
Hoist the anchor and set sail for Panama, where tropical waters and immaculate coral reefs beckon. Panama City is a good base to start your adventure, and you can explore this beautiful city by bus.
To enjoy Panama’s prime snorkelling, you’ll want to travel a bit further afield. If there’s a place on earth that’s closer to paradise than the heavenly San Blas archipelago, we’ve yet to find it. Feel the embrace of the warm Caribbean Sea as you explore the technicolour world beneath the surface.
- Expect to see: parrotfish, angelfish, groupers, pufferfish and lobsters.
7. Brighton
Brighton may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of great snorkelling destinations. But trust us, this hidden seaside gem is waiting to be explored underwater!
After you’ve taken all the time you need to explore quirky Brighton by bus, it’s time to dig out the snorkel! Is it worth braving the British chill to see what surprises await under Brighton’s waters? We say yes!
Head to the area around Black Rock for all sorts of underwater oddities, from spider crabs to seahorses and starfish to stingrays. So, don your long-sleeved solar top or even a neoprene wetsuit if you’re prone to feeling chilly, and go snorkel the heck out of Brighton.
- Expect to see: spiny spider crabs, stingrays, seahorses, starfish and cuttlefish.
8. Madeira
Madeira might just be the ideal European snorkelling destination. With year-round water temperatures hovering between 18 °C and 24 °C, you’ll be able to plunge straight in. And spend a decent amount of time snorkelling without goose bumps appearing!
After exploring Funchal, we’d recommend heading to Praia do Garajau, part of Madeira’s nature reserve. With transparent water, easy access, and a pebble beach, this is one of Madeira’s many great snorkelling destinations.
Another option is joining a dolphin-watching boat so you can snorkel out in the deep. If you´re lucky, you might even get to snorkel alongside playful dolphins!
- Expect to see: Ornate Wrasse, damselfish, Parrot fish, Octopus, Rays, Baracudas, Trumpet fish, Triggerfish
9. Ha Long
Ha Long Bay ticks many of the keen snorkeller’s boxes. Calm water? Check. Coral Reefs? Check. Diverse marine ecosystem? Check? On top of all this, the area is uniquely scenic, with endless limestone islands rising out of jade-green waters. And Ha Long’s many caves provide a natural habitat for a wide variety of marine life.
For some lovely coral reefs, head to Cat Ba, Cong Do or the Van Gio Islands, or Trai Cave. We’d recommend going between May and November for optimum weather conditions for snorkelling. Water temperatures are between 25°C and 29°C.
And ha long (xD) should you go for? There are, literally, thousands of islands, so take as much time as you can, we say!
- Expect to see: starfish, sea cucumbers, crabs, shrimp, fish and phytoplankton.
10. Gran Canaria
Last but certainly not least, we have the volcanic wonder of Gran Canaria. The warm, sub-tropical waters of the Canary Islands are the ideal location for an afternoon of blissful bobbing on the sea’s surface with your trusty mask and snorkel.
A brilliant place to start, especially if you’re based in Las Palmas, is the expansive Playa Las Canteras. Enter the water just south of Playa Chica, in the middle of the beach. This sheltered area is teeming with all sorts of marine life.
Another safe place to enter the water is Playa Grande. Its shallow water is perfect for kids learning to snorkel, and you’re likely to see schools of shimmering porgies and colourful parrotfish.
- Expect to see: parrot fish, cuttlefish, ornate wrasses, damsels, sea cucumbers and sea bream.
Dive in and explore!
And there ends our list of 10 great snorkelling destinations! We don’t know about you, but it’s left us with a thirst to start our next underwater adventure so we can uncover subaquatic wonders we didn’t even know existed. Happy snorkelling!
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, snorkelling is a beginner-friendly activity that doesn’t require any certifications or extensive training. As long as you’re comfortable in the water and can swim, you can enjoy snorkelling.
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Each destination offers a unique underwater world to explore. From colourful tropical fish and sea turtles in Cartagena and Pattaya to seahorses and stingrays in Brighton, the diversity of marine life you encounter will depend on the specific location you choose. Refer to the blog post for details on what you might see in each place.
Several destinations mentioned in the blog post offer ideal conditions for beginner snorkelers, with calm, shallow waters and easily accessible reefs. These include Perama in Corfu, Abou Ali Beach in Batroun (Lebanon), and Playa Grande in Gran Canaria. These locations provide a safe and enjoyable environment for first-time snorkelers to discover the wonders of the underwater world.