If you’re someone who loves to get close and personal with nature, then it’s possible that you’re also a fan of snorkeling. It is one of the best activities you can do during weekends or holidays to cut yourself off from stress. But if you want an ultimate holiday getaway where you can explore more wonderful underwater sceneries, then traveling to far-flung and exotic snorkeling destinations is the best for you.
Nothing beats the feeling of getting away from the hustle and bustles of the corporate world and having relaxation from a week or two with just the view of long sandy beaches and turquoise ocean paired with lots of underwater adventures. If you’re looking for this kind of time off, here are some exotic snorkeling destinations you might want to visit.
1. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora in French Polynesia is truly a place for those who love adventure. It is a tropical paradise with white sand beaches and calm shallow seas. You can find lots of snorkeling spots here. It will bring you face to face with much colorful fish and other underwater creatures such as giant manta rays and elegant reef sharks.
2. Apo Island, Philippines
This island is one of the best-kept secrets for those who love snorkeling. There are lots of fish species and corals in this island but most snorkelers visit this place hoping to swim with turtles. These creatures are fun to swim around with and they can grow to massive proportions because they feed among the coral gardens in this island.
3. Maui, Hawaii
This snorkeling place is one of the best ones in the world. It is a paradise with white sand coastline and iconic seascapes. Some of the best snorkeling spots here are the Molokini Crater and the Turtle Town, where you can swim with Hawaiian Green Turtles. Wherever you go on this beautiful island, you will surely find perfect snorkeling spots to enjoy.
4. Ambergris Caye, Belize
This island is the largest in Belize. Though it’s popular, it still remains unspoiled by tourists. This is an ideal place for those who are looking for ultimate relaxation. You can explore the island’s barrier reef with lots of corals and underwater species such as tropical fish, sharks, rays, and dolphins. You will experience here a wild and unforgettable adventure.
5. Lord Howe Island, Australia
Only a limited number of guests are allowed on this island that’s why you can experience a feeling of total isolation and relaxation. More than 490 tropical and temperate species mingle in there snorkeling hot spots. The water here is also calm and shallow so you can enjoy the underwater more.
6. Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
This place is known for White Bay and Soggy Dollar Bar. But aside from that, it’s also a great snorkeling destination because there are lots of eagle rays, pompano, tarpon, ocean triggerfish, and other underwater creatures here.
7. Culebra, Puerto Rico
This island is 25 miles east of Puerto Rico. Only a few travelers go to this place because you need to go trekking to be able to reach their best snorkeling spot. Once you visit that spot, you’ll be able to encounter hawksbill turtles, squid, and angelfish among the fingers of the reef.
8. Champagne Reef, Dominica
Dominica is known to be home to nine active volcanoes, therefore, you can experience some geothermal activity here when you go snorkeling especially around the Champagne Reed. The reef can be accessed from the shore but you can also go there by a boat trip for more adventure.
9. Dry Tortugas, Florida
To be able to reach the Dry Tortugas National Park and experience snorkeling there, you need to fly by boat plane from Key West which takes about 40 minutes. Its shallow reefs are the least-visited in the US but it is home to a lot of Caribbean fish species and corals. Aside from snorkeling, you can also enjoy a picnic on the beach and explore the ruins of Fort Jefferson.
10. Bligh Water, Fiji
The most beautiful reefs in Fiji are located in the Bligh Water region. When you go snorkeling here, you’ll be able to witness lots of colorful corals, schools of gem-hued anthias, as well as multicolored invertebrates. However, you need good snorkeling skills in these places because their snorkeling spots are far from land and subject to strong currents.
There are indeed a lot of snorkeling destinations in the world and we hope that you liked the list we shared. Have you decided where to go on your next snorkeling adventure?