Have you ever thought about going snorkeling? Being in the water with the fish is great exercise and it can even ease stress. So it makes for a great vacation plan.

There are tons of great places around the world to get started. Each of these adds something irreplaceable to the experience besides the different species of fish. Some destinations have more unique things to bring to the table than others, making for the best snorkeling in the world.  

We’re here to list some of these spots. Keep reading to find out where you can have the best snorkeling adventure.

1. Great Barrier Reef, Australia 

The Great Barrier Reef is the biggest reef system in the entire world. Snorkeling here, you’ll be able to see well over a thousand miles of colorful coral. This isn’t the only charm this destination brings. 

There are over a thousand species of unique fish and six different species of sea turtles. However, if you’re thinking about going to this destination, you’ll need to do it soon. 

The warm water is bleaching the coral to the point that the reef may be extinct by 2050. So pick up your snorkeling attire and get going. You don’t want to miss your chance to see this marvel in its full glory. 

2. Komodo National Park, Indonesia 

Komodo National Park was a protected area for a long time in order to take care of and preserve the Komodo dragons. Today, the park gets a lot of attention because of the rare lizards you can find there. It’s also a great place to go snorkeling. 

Since the place was protected for so many years, the reefs are teeming with life. You can find beautiful tropical fish, sharks, dugongs, and manta rays.  

3. Devil’s Crown, Galapagos 

Before we dive into the Devil’s Crown, a word of caution; the currents are strong. You shouldn’t attempt to snorkel here unless you’re following a guide. 

Now that the warning is out of the way, Galapagos is known for its unique wildlife. This isn’t limited to marine life.

It’s not uncommon to see eagle rays and sea turtles along the reef. If you get lucky, you may even spot a hammerhead shark during your adventure. 

4. Grenada, The Carribean 

When you’re at Grenada, you may not find coral per se; what you’ll find is artwork. There are tons of unique cement sculptures sitting on the sandy floor.

This includes a famous piece of children holding hands in a circle. Couple this with the tropical fish, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind underwater experience that you shouldn’t miss. 

5. Bay of Donsol, The Philippines

There are a lot of fun spots to snorkel in the Philippines. One that stands out from the rest is the Bay of Donsol. What makes it stand out, you ask? 

Whale sharks. Whale sharks are the largest living fish and you’ll get to swim with them. You may end up getting to see a handful of them during your boat tour actually.

6. Baa Atoll, Maldives

The Maldives, in general, is a great place to snorkel. You’ll find colorful coral reefs and even more colorful sea creatures, such as octopi, sharks, and manta rays. 

Out of all the areas in the Maldives, however, Baa Atoll takes the cake. There, you’ll get to see probably one of the largest coral reefs in the Indian Ocean and the copious number of mana rays that gather there to feed. 

7. Madang, Papua New Guinea

Due to the fact that New Guinea doesn’t see as much tourism as other areas on this list, a lot of the coral remains untouched. Since the coral is in such good shape, unique sea creatures tend to gather there. 

If you head over to Madang, you’ll see tuna, snappers, barracuda, and reef sharks. If you keep going, you’ll come to a few historical WWII wrecks as well.   

8. Maui, Hawaii 

There are tons of great areas to snorkel in Maui. If you’re a beginner, you can head over to the Ahihi Kinau Area Reserve. The waters here start about knee-deep and then get deeper as you push forward. 

It’s also calm, so it makes for the perfect place to snorkel with your kids. Speaking of calm waters, the area by the Molokini crater is also pretty chill. You’ll also get a clear visual of fun aquatic species such as rainbow fish, monk seals, eagle rays, and sea turtles. 

9. Silver Bank, Dominican Republic 

There are only about three places in the world where you can snorkel with humpback whales. The Silver Bank in the Dominican Republic is one of these rare places. 

If you want to see them, you’ll need to go from December through April when they migrate to warmer waters. 

10. Bora Bora, French Polynesia 

If you’ve ever wanted to meet a stingray, then Bora Bora is going to be your place to snorkel. They’re friendly toward humans, so don’t be surprised if one comes right up to you. 

The only word of caution we have is to not step on their tail or swim over them; they don’t like that much. While you’re here, you may also spot lemon sharks and sea turtles. 

Where to Experience the Best Snorkeling in the World 

Are you planning on going on a snorkeling adventure? It’s one of the most unique experiences you could ever have.

Between the colorful coral and tropical fish, it’s the perfect vacation idea for the entire family. Check out one of the areas on this list to experience some of the best snorkeling in the world. 

Looking for more places around the world to visit? Check out the travel section of our blog daily for even more amazing destinations.