Snorkeling is an easier form diving in the water, mainly to watch and appreciate the fish species including squids, snails, turtles, etc. In this blog post let us view most Spectacular Snorkelling destinations in the World.
It is a kind of water sports that caught the fancy of the adventure lovers.
Snorkeling doesn’t require you to carry heavy oxygen tanks on your back. You only slip on a pair of googles, and a tube to breathe.
In addition, you wear a pair of webbed shoes to surge you forward.
How a snorkeling spot is identified?
Though, snorling is done just about on any water body, there are exclusive destinations to do a bit of snorkelling.
Snorkeling destinations are selected based on the varieties of attractive marine-life that are already spotted and documented.
Apart from fish species, the presence of coral reefs, and shipwrecks can attract scuba divers, and snorkelers.
Moreover, the snorkelling spots should not have huge waves. Also, the water’s temperature should be warm.
How long snorkelers stay inside the water, wearing the snorkelling mask?
Usually, two hours is recommended. However, you, as a snorkeler can surface even after 15 minutes.
If you usually wear spectacles, you have to remove them before slipping on the snorkelling glasses.
Most Spectacular Snorkelling Destinations in the World
Let us see a list of Most Spectacular snorkelling destinations in the world.
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Andaman Islands
I would rate the Andaman, and Nicobar islands as the best in the world for enjoying snorkelling. These Indian islands are floating in the Andaman Sea, a part of the Indian Ocean.
Note:
The Andaman Sea was previously called the Burma Sea, due to the islands’ proximity to Burma (Myanmar). Not many people are aware of this fact.
The following islands of Andaman, and Nicobar Islands archipelago are considered fantastic snorkelling destinations.
- Havelock Island
- Neil Island
- Red Skin Island
- Kalipur
- South Button National Park
What can you find under the water of Andaman Islands?
Some, very rare and colourful reefs are the major attractions for snorkelers.
I give below a short list of underwater creatures off the Andaman Sea, apart from over 750 species of fish.
- Sea Spomge
- Mollucsc (snails belong to the Molluscs family)
- Crustaceans (crabs, lobsters are example)
- Seeweed (macroalgae)
- Hard, and soft corals
Please note that these terrific marine creatures cannot be spotted near any beach. You have to go a couple of kilometres in a boat to reach the ideal snorkelling destinations, as well as, scuba diving locations.
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Bonaire Island
It is one of the three Caribbean islands that are administered by the Dutch country. The other two islands of the Dutch Caribbean are:
- Aruba
- Curacao
Inexplicably, only Bonaire Island stands out amidst its two neighbours as best snorkelling location. Of course, the two other islands are also ideal for snorkelling adventure.
In this part of the Caribbean Sea, beautiful coral reefs thrive. That are all-time attraction factors of scuba divers, and the snorkelers.
Water is crystal clear to easily see the underwater creatures. Moreover, the Caribbean Sea is forever warm.
Eagle Rays, one of the rare, and beautiful fish species are the star attractions in Bonaire Island.
Sea Horses are fragile species of underwater. Snorkelers try to scream in delight when they first spot a sea horse, but, their scream will be muffled by their mask.
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Whitsunday Islands
This is one of the beaches on Whitsunday Island. This is known as Whitehaven, named thus because of the white sand on the beach.
I would say, ardent snorkelers consider themselves extremely lucky to have found a group of 74 islands in Australia that are stinking rich with spending underwater life.
The water around these coral islands is pregnant with diverse coral reefs. Fish species that the snorkelers can encounter include the rare Manta Ray, Giany Clams, and Humpread Wrasse.
This is one of the Humpread (Maori) Wrasse. This is a rare fish and it is found to be living only in the Great Barrier Reef System.
It has one more alais that goes by the name, ‘Napolean Wrasse’. I really wonder what Napolean had to do with tis fish species.
Sharks, and Whales are common sight in these waters. The pet friendly ‘clownfish’ are found in large schools.
ClownFish. I don’t know what is ‘clownic’ about it!
So many snorkelling destinations found in ine archipelago means, underwater adventurers need to spend at least a week to satisfy their quest to see exotic marine creatures.
These coral islands are located in the midst of the Great Barrier Reef.
Dolphins happily coexist with turtles, rays, and hundreds of species of fish. I guess, many of tge fish species are yet to be named and documented.
These islands off the coast of Queensland are inhabited by several Australian aborigines ethnic groups. They are identified as ‘seafarers’.
How to reach the Great Barrier Reef?
Passionate snorkelers and scuba divers need to reach the city of ‘Cairns’, in the northeast part of Queensland. Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Cairns has an international airport that receives flights from Japan, and New Zealand. All the major airports in Australia operate domestic flights to Cairns, the most visited city by the tourists who are amazed by the wildlife of the Great Barrier Reef.
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Red Sea
Red Sea is in Egypt’s east coast. A kind of red-colored bacteria called “Trichodesmium erythraeum”, is seen f;oating in clusters. They give the ‘red color to the sea.
The common name of thus bacteria is ‘sea sawdust’. Strange-eh?
The water in this part of the world is one of biggest attractions for scuba divers, and snorkelers You can tag it as ‘snorklers’ hotspot’.
Underwater enthusiasts are eager to spot the rare ‘mola mola’ fish.
This fish is aso known as the, ‘ocean sunfish’.
Other marine creatures that you can spot through your snokeling goggles:
- Sea Urchin
- Jellyfish
- Scorpionfish
- Stonefish
- Rays
Interesting Fact about Red Sea
The Red Sea is not an independent sea but only an inlet of the Indian Ocean. It lies between North Africa, and Saudi Arabia.
Incidentally, the Red Sea is the saltiest of all the oceans, and seas in the world.
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Hawaii Island
Hawaii Island is commonly referred as the, ‘Big Island’. Hawaii Islands in the Central Pacific Ocean are the darling of the Americans. They are the most coveted holiday destinations in te U.S.
Though, snorkelling, and scuba diving is pursued in all of the Hawaiian islands, I read the Big Island somehow garner all the glory among water sports fans.
There are numerous snorkelling locations across the Hawaii Island. Ever spot will simply thrill the snorkelers.
A few names of fish that one can see and identify:
- Humuhumunukunukuāpua
Obviously it is a Hawaiian name that just simply cannot be pronounced by. Also, we cannot remember its spelling. Its English name is ‘Red Triggerfish’.
If you are fascinated by the native name, just call it, ‘humuhumu’.
Very funny!
Incidentally, it is the state fish of Hawaii.
- Green Sea Turtles
- Spinner Dolphins
- Humpback Whales
- Monk Seals of Hawaii
The list of marine life in Hawaii is too big to describe here.
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Raja Ampat Islands
These popular islands belong to Indonesia. They are top tourist destinations for islands all ovr the world.
The islands are remotely located, very far off Java, and Sumatra, the main islands of Indonesia.
Raja Ampat atchipelago comprise as many as 1500 landmasses in the sea that are classified as islands, islets, atolls, and cays.
However, for snorkelling locations, the following four main islands are earmarked.
- Waigeo
- Batanta
- Salawati
- Misooi
Strange names!
What attracts the snorkelling buffs in Raja Ampat?
Some of the world’s incredibly colourful coral reefs are the main attraction in Raja Ampat Islands.
Other snorkelers interest include:
- Tunicates (Sea Squirt)
- Sponges
- Soft Corals
Also known as Sea Fans.
- Crinoids (Sea Lilies)
- Sea Stars (StarFish)
- Giant Clams
What an array of real exotic undersea living beings!
Are you aware of how remote the Raja Ampat archipelago is?
Raja Ampat islands are part of New Guinea, the second largest individual island. You must know that Indonesia shares the New Guinea with Papua New Guinea. The sprawling island comprises a mind-boggling 790,000 sq. km approximately.
The island is surrounded by the South Pacific Ocean on all sides. It falls under the Melanesia region.
How to reach the Southweast Papua, one of the Indonesian province?
Snorkelers and scuba divers, birders, and linguistic scholars arrive at the airport of Sorong, the capital city, from Jakarta.
Amazing fact:
Papua New Guinea people speak about 840 languages! In addition, world’s most spectacular bird species are found only in Papua New Guinea.
We will move to the next haven for snorkelers.
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Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, the Philippines
Can you spot a large fish in the photo? It’s a ‘reed shark’. The large reef system is located somewhere near the Palawan province of the Philippines. It comprises of a few atolls measuring 240k acres.
The highly cared-for sanctuary of coral reefs also protects some of the rarest marine creatures that include:
- Reef Shark
- Bioluminescent micro-organism that make the beaches glitter with electric-blue light
- Reef fish
- Whales
- Dolphins
- Hawksbill turtles
- Green turtles
- Barracudas
- Manta Rays
- Hammershead Sharks
- Moorish Idols
- Moray Eels
- Napoleon Wrasse
- Cetaceans (sea mammals)
- Tger Sharks
Apart from such a wide range of underwater life, snorkelers are attracted by a few wrecked ships.
The entire preserved area is declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Sulu Sea is the host of this reef national park, and wetlands declared by the Ramsar Sites.
How to reach this snorkelling location in the Philippines?
You must reach Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan. From there, the boat journey involves a tough 10 hours voyage.
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Maladives Islands
The present trending hash tag is Maladives holiday. The nearly 1200 islands are absolute haven for marine biologists, scuba divers, and snorkelers.
Milaidhoo Island is rated as the best snorkelling location. The island has a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that indicates the waters offshore is filled a wide range of marine life.
Baa Atoll is a nearby underwater species watching venue.Another location that is recommended for snorkelling is Baros Maladives.
What the snorkelers can expect to see in the Indian Ocean where the islands of Maldives float?
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Buck Island, the U.S.Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea. 50 islands, islets, and cays are administered as U.S. Overseas Territory.
The Buck Island Reef National Monument is authorised to protect the exotic marine creatures off the shores of the tiny Buck Island
Buck Island is located closed to St. Croix, one of the major U.S. Virgin Islands.
I hope these 9 fantastic locations would lure the passionate snorkelers around the world.
