The 7 best places to snorkel in the world

Maybe, you have not decided to try diving yet, but you want to know the beauties of the sea up close. It is also possible you are simply a snorkeling lover. Anyway, this article is of interests to you. In it we gather the 7 best places to snorkel in the world. So, if you want to get the most out of your mask, snorkel and fins, keep reading!

1. The Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

Probably the Great Barrier Reef of Australia is the best known snorkeling site in the world. Not for nothing, it being the largest coral formation on the planet. Its extension of more than 2,300 kilometres / 1429 miles, more than 2,900 reefs and more than 1,000 different species of corals, are in themselves attractive enough to enjoy snorkeling.

Around two hundred different species of fish, turtles, crustaceans, cephalopods, in addition to the aforementioned corals, make up this idyllic natural environment. UNESCO declared the Great Barrier Reef a World Heritage Site, but pollution and climate change threaten it. For this reason, snorkeling trips can only be made in some locations and in a controlled way.

The best time to visit is during the dry months of the Australian winter, from June to October.

2. Cozumel, Mexico.

If Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the largest in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS), is the second one in the ranking. It extends over more than 1,000 km/ 621 mi. of coastline. Its crystal-clear water makes Cozumel one of the best places to snorkel in the world. In Cozumel, visibility is generally over 30 m/100 ft, and on some sites, reaches 60 m /200 ft.

Did you know Cozumel is home to over 500 species of fish? Therefore, snorkelers will enjoy watching a great variety of marine animals during their snorkeling activities.

We recommend booking an organized tour in order to find the best places to snorkel in Cozumel. The large and comfortable boats of Dressel Divers leave from the pier of the Iberostar hotel. After a short 15 minutes trip, our clients arrive at fantastic reefs full of life and the most famous in the area. There, they always go with our expert guides who show them the local marine life.

It is always a good time to visit Cozumel as the water temperature remains constant between 26º and 30º Celsius.

3. Cenotes, Puerto Aventuras, Mexico

Have you ever snorkeled in the fresh waters of a cenote? It is an experience you cannot miss. There are a lot of these caverns with amazing ponds suitable for snorkeling the Rivera Maya.

Cenotes are underground rivers that have formed impressive flooded caves over time. One of the things cenotes visitors love is the possibility of seeing these cathedrals of the bowels of the earth from a unique perspective, the one offered by their transparent waters.

You can learn more about the cenotes by reading the article: The 7 Best Cenotes In Mexico For Diving And Snorkeling

Any month of the year is perfect to visit one of these cenotes and enjoy one of the best places to snorkel in the world. Get to know the best Riviera Maya snorkeling sites in one single half day excursion with Dressel Divers.

4. Holbox, Mexico.

Snorkeling with the biggest fish on the planet is perhaps, one of the most incredible experiences a snorkeling lover can enjoy.

Holbox, in the Yucatan Peninsula, is one of the best places to snorkel with whale sharks in the world.

These animals, which can reach up to 18 m/59 ft long, are as beautiful and impressive as harmless. Although, they belong to the shark family, their diet is mainly based on plankton.

In fact, it is the reason that brings them year after year to visit the Mexican coast in the summer months.

Dressel Divers submit to Holbox’s eco-friendly practices, so the animals are treated with total respect and consideration during our excursions.

5. Sinai Peninsula, Red Sea.

One of the Red Sea its appeals, apart from the natural beauty it hides, is that the Sinai Peninsula.

However, believe us when we tell you the Red Sea is one of the best places to snorkel in the world. Beautiful coral reefs populate the seafloor and are home to colored brightly fish that will delight any snorkeling enthusiast. Besides, the dolphins are plentiful on these shores, and they can be your swimming buddies.

The most famous place to snorkel in the Red Sea is Giftun Island, near Hurgada, although a visit to Sharm El Sheikh and Ras Mohammed Marine Park, which is just 20 km/ 12 mi. away from Sharm El Sheikh, is also worth it. Ras Mohammed Marine Park is a protected area where you can enjoy impressive coral reefs and overwhelming marine biodiversity.

6. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

When you go to the Galapagos Islands, forget about coral reefs and colorful fish. There, sea lions, marine iguanas, dolphins, turtles, and even penguins are the attraction. They make the Galapagos Islands one of the best places to snorkel in the world.

If Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution based on the natural wealth of these islands, there is a reason for it. An explosion of animal life covers both the surface of the islands and the underwater world. Just keep in mind something. In 1978, UNESCO declared the archipelago Natural Heritage of Humanity to preserve its flora and fauna, seriously threatened by the actions of man. That means if you want to enjoy snorkeling there, you will have to follow some basic eco-friendly principles. Our advice is booking your snorkeling excursions with professional centers. In this way, you will have guides who will explain the requirements and take you to the best places.

The ideal time to snorkel in the Galapagos Islands is the hot season, from December to May.

7. Maldives

How can a snorkel lover miss out on a country that is 90% water? Yes, in the heart of the Indian Ocean it is one of the best places to snorkel in the world.

There you will find more than 1,200 islands and 26 atolls with three main attractions for snorkelers:

1. Crystal clear waters.
2. Beautiful reefs: there are more than 70 different species.
3. Very rich sea beds and their biodiversity. You will find more than 700 species of fish, including endemic species such as the Napoleon fish.

Although there is no bad time to visit the Maldives, snorkelers prefer traveling from November to April to avoid the rainy season.

You already know our selection with the 7 best places to snorkel in the world. Which one is yours?