Fiji, renowned as the soft coral capital of the world, boasts over 390 coral species spread across its 300 islands and 500 reefs. Snorkeling is easily accessible, offering encounters with reef sharks, bull sharks, dolphins, turtles, and manta rays.
Mamanuca Islands, Fiji
Located in the Celebes Sea off Sabah, Sipadan is renowned for world-class diving and stunning snorkeling opportunities. Described by Jacques Cousteau as an "Untouched Piece of Art," it features otherworldly coral formations, sea turtles, and bumphead parrotfish.
Sipadan, Malaysia
Silfra fissure in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland, offers a unique snorkeling experience between two tectonic plates. With water clarity up to 120 meters, snorkelers explore pristine glacial waters in dry suits to withstand the cold.
Silfra, Iceland
Palau, a Pacific island nation, boasts unique seawater marine lakes connected by tunnels and channels. Visitors can explore Jellyfish Lake on Eil Malk, home to millions of non-poisonous jellyfish.
Palau
Bait Reef in Australia's Whitsunday Islands features spectacular coral formations like The Stepping Stones, rising from 80 feet deep to just beneath the surface. Covered in vibrant coral, these formations host a myriad of tropical fish, making it a snorkeler's paradise.
Whitsunday Islands, Australia
The Exumas, comprising 360 cays in the Bahamas, offer snorkelers pristine blue waters and white sand beaches. Andros Island within the Exumas boasts the world's third-largest fringing barrier reef and numerous blue holes.
Exumas, Bahamas
Kenting National Park in Taiwan offers warm waters ideal for snorkeling, with sites like Wanlitong featuring coral reef ditches, valleys, and tunnels. Baishawan, a Life of Pi film location, offers white-sand beaches and clear waters perfect for spotting dolphins.
Hengchun, Taiwan