top snorkel destinations
This list is by far from exhaustive but includes some of the top places I have snorkeled. There are so many really incredible places to snorkel around the world. See my list below. I hope it inspires you to check out some of these wonderful snorkel spots. There are far more places I would like to visit that I have not yet. Check out my bucket list snorkel destinations too!
hol chan marine reserve Belize
The Mesoamerican Reef makes up the beautiful reefs you can explore in Belize. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is off of Ambergris Caye and includes Shark Alley where you can get see nurse sharks and stingrays. Glover’s Reef lies roughly 30 miles off the coast of Belize, forming a large, protected link in the massive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The reserve encompasses the entire atoll, with its 80-square-mile lagoon inside home to some 700 coral patch reefs that offer endless snorkeling opportunities with common sightings of rays, sharks and turtles. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. Another very unique place to snorkel is Blue Hole.
utila Honduras
Utila is a backpacker island has some of the best diving and snorkeling adventures. It is not part of a cruise stop so has slightly less spoiled reefs than its nearby counterpart of Roatan. Roatan does boast more resorts. The reefs here are a part of the Mesoamerican Reef which is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Some of the best snorkel spots include Moon Hole, Airport Caves, Coral View, Water Cay and Neptunes. While here you can check out Blue Bayou in front of the Coral View Resort where you can pay to have access to the docks or buy a drink to have access and snorkel right from the ladder.
Cozumel Mexico
Cozumel an island off the eastern coast of Mexico. It is also part of the Mesoamerican Reef, which is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Some reefs you can reach just from the beach and other sites you can take boat tours. Chankanaab Park is very popular due to its proximity to the cruise port. You can also check out Villa Blanca or Punta Sur Eco Beach. If you would like a boat tour some popular stops include El Cielo, Columbia Reef and Palancar Reef. With beautiful clear waters you will be sure to see colorful fish, turtles and more.
Los Cabos Mexico
On the Pacific side of Mexico, you can also get a great snorkel experience. Cabo Pulmo is a National Marine Park that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the Sea of Cortez. It is a great place to see whales, dolphins, sharks, parrot and angel fish. Many tours also offer snorkeling while checking out the Arch of Cabo San Lucas (“Land’s End”).
Champagne Reef Dominica
Champagne Reef is a unique spot in Dominica. Dominica boasts some of the best unspoiled natural beauty in the Caribbean. It has waterfalls, incredible hiking and hot springs. Champagne reef feels like swimming through champagne since it is filled with small little bubbles that seep up through tiny cracks on the sea floor. It is such a unique experience!
Great Barrier Reef Australia
There is no place higher on anyone’s bucket list than the Great Barrier Reef. It is the world’s largest coral reef system. It is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900. The reef is in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
Phi phi islands Thailand
If you are into snorkeling and diving then Thailand no doubt is on your list. It boasts amazing clear waters, plentiful and colorful fish and stunning coral reefs. Some of the more iconic places to go snorkeling include on and around the Phi Phi islands, Maya Bay, Monkey Island, Kata Beach in Phuket, and the iconic Koh Tao which is known for its incredible and plentiful diving and snorkeling spots.
Maui Hawaii
Maui offers another unique place to snorkel is in Hawaii. My favorite was Turtle Town which is on Maluaka Beach at the south end of Wailea where Makena Road ends. You literally go from the beach to enormous and beautiful turtles. Black Rock Beach in Kaanapali Beach is a great place to snorkel and cliff dive. If you want to get out to an amazing snorkel spot via boat, you cannot pass up the Molokini Islet.
US Virgin Islands
One of the top places to snorkel is in Trunk Bay, which is in the Virgin Islands National Park. Because of its popularity it can get crowded. If visiting St. Croix, you can visit Buck Island which is the only underwater national monument. While on St. Thomas you can check out Coki Point Beach for easy snorkeling straight from your beach chair. We also checked out Honeymoon beach and Salomon Beach on St. John and loved being able to see fish and turtles right from the shore.
St. Martin
The best snorkeling on the island lies on the French side. In these calm waters you can see tons of brilliantly colored fish. Find a tiny cove and explore the shallow reefs along its shores, especially in the northeastern underwater nature reserve.
Curaçao
The best-known snorkeling sites, in the Curaçao Underwater Marine Park, stretch for 20km (12 miles) along Curaçao’s southern coastline but there are so many incredible sites. From coral to amazing fish to turtles to sunken ships- you can find it all here. For a more isolated setting you can set off on a trip to Klein Curaçao and check out some turtles.
Red Sea Egypt
When you think Egypt, you think pyramids and history but Egypt also is a tropical paradise. Located on the Red Sea there is incredible and colorful marine life.
