What’s not to love about snorkelling? It's suitable for all ages and abilities, requires little equipment and offers the chance to see a multitude of marine species closer to the surface. We’ve drawn on the wealth of knowledge of our Original Diving specialists (thanks, team!) and created this list of the best places to snorkel in the world. From the colourful reefs of Indonesia to the jaw-dropping humpback whales in Australia, read on to discover our pick of the best snorkelling destinations in the world...
- Thingvellir National Park, Iceland - Snorkel between tectonic plates in cold, crystal-clear waters offering incredible visibility
- Baja California, Mexico - The biodiverse Sea of Cortez boasts pristine marine parks filled with sea lions and manta rays
- Hanifaru Bay, the Maldives - A UNESCO-listed lagoon known for drawing hundreds of manta rays and occasional whale sharks to its plankton-rich waters
- Raja Ampat, Indonesia - Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, this archipelago is home to kaleidoscopic reefs and over 1,500 fish species
- Ningaloo Reef, Australia - Depending on the time of year, snorkel with whale sharks and migrating humpback whales
- Hurghada, Egypt - Perfect for beginners, the Red Sea's reef-rich waters teem with vibrant corals and marine life
Thingvellir National Park, Iceland
First up on our list of the best places to snorkel in the world is Thingvellir National Park, Iceland. The word ‘snorkelling’ might conjure up images of sun-soaked beaches in far-flung destinations, but Europe offers some pretty sweet underwater opportunities too – and Iceland just so happens to be the only place in the world where you can snorkel between tectonic plates.
Located in Thingvellir National Park, Silfra Fissure is a crack between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Dive into the crystalline water and you’ll be treated to a whopping 100m of visibility – well worth the four-degree water temperatures.
Best time to visit: If you don’t mind a bit of chilly weather, then snorkel in Silfra during winter for fewer crowds. If you prefer a slightly warmer climate, don’t worry: Silfra is also great between May and October.
Image by helovi / Getty Images.
Baja California, Mexico
When it comes to the best snorkelling in the world, Mexico is high up on the list with its legendary underwater landscapes. The country boasts a range of fantastic snorkelling opportunities, but we’ll be talking about Baja California. The Sea of Cortez, which surrounds this Mexican state, features rich and varied marine life. Don’t just take our word for it – explorer Jacques Cousteau famously described the waters as ‘the aquarium of the world’.
Large parts of the waters surrounding Baja California are designated as marine parks, allowing pristine reefs to flourish and fostering incredible biodiversity. As you cut through the water, gliding past sea lions and mantas, you'll feel like you've stepped (or swum) right onto the set of Blue Planet.
Best time to visit: Between November and May for good visibility and plentiful encounters with underwater creatures.
Image by grandriver / Getty Images.
Hanifaru Bay, The Maldives
The Maldives, with its mirror-clear waters, colourful corals and varied marine life, is a magical snorkelling destination. There’s more than one hotspot across these incredible islands, but our favourite is Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO-listed lagoon within Baa Atoll.
Hanifaru is renowned for its plankton-rich waters, which attract a range of fantastic marine life. Mask up, dive down and swim along the bay to witness hundreds of shining manta rays feeding on the microscopic creatures. As if that’s not enough, plankton also attract the ever-elusive whale shark, so keep your eyes peeled for the gentle giants as they glide along the reef.
Best time to visit: Between May and November to witness wonderful wildlife during the mass feeding phenomenon.
Image by FilippoBacci / Getty Images.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
If you want to experience a bit of everything on a snorkelling trip, Indonesia is the place. The archipelago and its 17,000 islands are home to a number of fantastic dive spots, but we’re of the opinion that Raja Ampat is one of the best places to snorkel in the world (it’s even better for diving, but that’s for another day…).
From bath-warm waters to a dizzying array of marine species, this Indonesian archipelago really does have it all. It’s located in the Coral Triangle, meaning it boasts kaleidoscopic reefs and is home to over 1,500 species of fish, from colourful clownfish to giant Napoleon wrasse.
Best time to visit: Between September and April for calmer seas and fantastic visibility.
Image by ead72 - stock.adobe.com.
Ningaloo Reef, Australia
If snorkelling with whales is firmly on your diving bucket list (and quite rightly so) it's well worth the long journey to Australia's Ningaloo Reef. This pristine reef boasts colourful coral and incredible biodiversity, all just steps from the shore, meaning that you can dive right in (literally) to observe the flora and fauna.
Alongside Ningaloo’s myriad fish species, it also boasts whales galore. Here, you can encounter shimmering whale sharks as up to 500 of the creatures visit the reef in springtime. As if that wasn’t enough, humpback whales migrate along the Ningaloo Coast between August and October, and experienced snorkellers may have the opportunity to swim alongside them.
Best time to visited: If getting up close and personal with whale sharks is at the top of the agenda, visit Ningaloo between March and July. If you’d prefer to witness the humpback migration, plan your trip between August and October.
Image by RichardALock / Getty Images.
Hurghada, Egypt
For aquarium-like snorkelling conditions, Hurghada in Egypt is sure to delight. This pretty coastal city boasts vibrant coral, crystalline water and reefs teeming with marine life.
Many of Hurghada’s vivid coral reefs extend right up into the sun-kissed shallows, making it the perfect place for beginner snorkellers. There are also a range of resorts with their own house reefs, meaning you can mask up and dive in straight from your hotel, keeping your eyes peeled for shimmering rays, slinking moray eels and even the occasional sea turtle drifting by. Does it get any better than that?
Best time to visit: From March to May and September to November for warm waters and calm conditions, perfect for newbie snorkellers.
Image by Liukov / Getty Images.
Written by Emma Begley | Header image by BGT Collection / Gallery stock.
