If you’re organizing a jovial swimming day out with friends or leaning towards a more tranquil, solitary trip, snorkeling helps you build a deep connection with the marvels of Mother Nature. This leisure activity reveals a wholly unexplored realm teeming with the grandeur of underwater creatures. It assures a serene and unforgettable adventure.
In case you’re interested in learning more about the underwater world, we have picked out 5 incredible destinations for you. So pack your snorkeling gear and check out these beautiful locations…
Maui, Hawaii
The readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine rated Maui as the best island in the world. As it presents the second largest island in Hawaii, we marked off some of the best spots for you to start off the snorkeling tour. First off, we have Molokini, where the visibility in its crystal waters easily reaches 150 feet.
Secondly, there’s Turtle Town, rooted in colorful coral reefs developed under the influence of volcanos. Next up, we have Olowalu, where beginners will experience snorkeling in the most pleasant way since the calm waters of the Pacific will provide you a clear view of colorful fish and seabed as well as the green Hawaiian sea turtles. Lastly, we have Coral gardens, which are best reached by boat and filled with ocean marine wildlife.
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Ilha Grande, Brazil
When you hear Rio de Janeiro, you probably picture a huge, crowded city. But, just off the coast, the energy of Ilha Grande is completely different. This is a destination that will provide you with an incredibly peaceful vacation and will let you reconnect with nature.
It doesn’t matter whether you decide either to head down the beach or enjoy a hike through the rainforests, you will spend your time surrounded by unspoiled nature, away from the stresses of everyday life, without cars, banks, and electronic devices, here you will find peace.
Tropical fish, turtles, and sharks are just some of the things you’ll see in the waters of Ilha Grande along with southern right whales, humpback, Bryde’s, orca, and dolphins. When you aren’t snorkeling, you will have a chance to taste some amazing seafood, since this island houses more than 30 exceptional restaurants.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
The largest island in Belize, Ambergris Caye, houses only one town – San Pedro Town, where you can find a variety of wonderful options to experience. This destination includes the largest reef barrier outside Australia. Reaching the size of 185 miles, you can expect to witness an enormous ecosystem.
Colorful fish, hard corals, gorgonians, sea fans, tunicates, and even shellfish are the representatives of the underwater life in Ambergris Caye. If you’re lucky you can also see the hammerhead shark or the Caribbean reef shark. Flora and fauna are similar throughout the reef system, but you can always encounter some uniqueness.
Our advice for this destination is to take a short boat trip when you attempt snorkeling. There are three destinations that you can’t miss out on Mexico Rocks, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and Shark-Sting Ray Alley. Trips to all three destinations cost about $45 per adult. This price includes a snorkeling mask, fins, and a guide who will help you explore the unspoiled beauty of Belize.
West Bay, Honduras
Located in Roatan, the white sandy beach of West Bay is decorated with palm trees. This is a destination you must visit if you enjoy snorkeling. The sea is very calm while the view is crystal clear, so you’ll be able to observe underwater life without a problem.
It is surrounded by the second largest reef barrier in the world, which means it has to offer you plenty of water activities. One of them is the “coral reef explorer.” If you’re not willing to expose yourself to the sea, but still want to discover underwater life, you can go for one of the biggest attractions West Bay offers. With its glass walls, which allow you a clear view, this boat will take you through the entire reef.
The Big Island, Hawaii
One of the most popular destinations for snorkeling is the Kealakekua Bay, located on the Big Island. It has astonishing wildlife, filled with colorful corals and a wide variety of fish, turtles, and even dolphins. It’s not only known for its beauty. This destination also keeps a story anchored to the depth of its waters.
It marks a spot where Captain James Cook landed his ship and was killed by the native Hawaiians. The Big Island is most favored by the people who snorkel, because of the variety of underwater life it contains. If you’re up for more adventures, you can head yourself towards Honaunau Bay for an outstanding experience with coral gardens and tropical fish.
