Best Places to Snorkel in the World
Snorkellers no longer need to play second fiddle to divers. Instead, world-class expeditions, aimed specifically at snorkellers, are now an option for those looking to experience something special without donning a tank and heading underwater. We offer several snorkelling holidays, and here we take a look at some of the best snorkelling destinations in the world for eager underwater adventurers, from stunning tropical reefs to big fish thrills.
Whale Sharks & Manta Rays in the Maldives
If you're after stunning tropical fish, tropical reefs, crystal-clear waters and a liveaboard adventure, the Maldives is the snorkelling destination for you.
Conservation and snorkelling enthusiasts will both love this dedicated snorkelling holiday in the Maldives, searching for majestic manta rays, reef sharks, eagle rays or mighty whale sharks in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. With a focus on conservation and environmental awareness, these trips run in partnership with the Manta Trust and the Maldives Whale Shark Program, allowing snorkellers to encounter these magical pelagics on an intimate yet non-invasive level.
Trips can focus on either manta rays or whale sharks, with manta ray trips visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hanifaru Bay, and whale shark trips visiting the South Ari Atoll. Designed specifically for ocean enthusiasts, this trip promises a magical experience with the majestic sea life of the underwater world.
What's the Maldives Snorkelling Conservation Cruise like?
Join a liveaboard sailing amongst fellow snorkellers on a small group route in Malé. From the liveaboard you can drop straight in to the water and time your sublime dips accordingly with nearby marine life.
On our Maldives Snorkelling Conservation Cruise, you receive a briefing at the start of the trip, so everyone is snorkelling responsibly and minimising the impact to the environment. In the evenings, enjoy presentations by the team on topics such as coral reefs and conservation for sea turtles. During the trip, you also visit a local island and learn about Maldivian culture and traditions.
Kaleidoscopic Reefs in Indonesia
Indonesia lies at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the area of the highest marine biodiversity on the planet, so it's no wonder there are some incredible opportunities for snorkelling enthusiasts.
For those looking for the very best snorkelling available, our top tip is to embark on a unique snorkelling adventure cruise in the Coral Triangle. Jumping aboard the Bugis liveaboard; a new vessel aiming to achieve the lowest environmental impact possible, you can explore lesser-known corners of Indonesia, with locations visited specially selected for the quality of their snorkelling.
With preventative measures in place including no single-use plastic and the use of synthetic fuel made from plastic waste, the Bugis offers unforgettable wildlife encounters across Indonesia with a green objective.
In the summer months, visit Komodo National Park and enjoy the underwater paradise of thriving coral gardens and spot manta rays, and head land-side to encounter Komodo dragons. At other times of year, the vessel heads to other areas of Indonesia, including departures to Raja Ampat.
Enjoy colourful coral reefs bustling with hard and soft corals, and snorkel with dolphins, large mantas and graceful hawksbill turtles and green sea turtles amongst vibrant shoals of reef fish – a once in a lifetime experience!
What's the Coral Triangle Snorkelling Adventure like?
Join the Bugis liveaboard, the perfect base to visit small island communities, from Sorong or Labuan Bajo. This special snorkelling trip is focused on shallow reef systems that bring out the best of marine diversity in stunning Indonesia. Itineraries vary throughout the year, ranging from three to 11 nights, and ensure you’re at the right place for the time of year. Travelling with a group of like-minded snorkellers, stay in eco-conscious accommodation, visit remote Indonesian villages and relax under the stars on deck.
Mobulas & More in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez
In recent years, thrilling snorkelling opportunities have arisen in the Sea of Cortez, a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean, using spotter planes to search out big marine life to ensure you're in the right place at the right time to catch the very best action. The abundant marine life makes this location in Mexico particularly special.
Between April and July, it's possible to join a dedicated snorkelling cruise in search of not one, but two extraordinary sea life spectacles on an underwater adventure. During this period, munkiana mobula rays aggregate into vast schools. And, as if that wasn't spectacular enough to witness, they fly! This species of mobula is known to leap out of the water, creating memories that live forever.
This time of year is also known for orca (aka killer whales), with a number of pods regularly visiting this area. While the orca move around, they're known to frequent two specific areas, charmingly referred to as ‘orca cafés’. Killer whales are known for having unique regional behaviours, and the orca in the Sea of Cortez seemingly choose to interact with humans, allowing you the opportunity of a thrilling snorkelling encounter.
Between October & November, it's also possible to witness Mexico’s awe-inspiring Sardine Run, where striped marlin (or sailfish) circle and hunt the unfortunate sardine, attacking at great speeds. Humpback whale and bryde whale are also known to make an appearance.
What's the Mobulas & Orcas Liveaboard trip like?
Your adventure begins in Cabo San Lucas, an area famed for its beautiful beaches, turquoise seas and relaxed lifestyle. Prior to joining your liveaboard it’s possible to join a complimentary photography workshop to hone your skills.
Over the next few days, the experienced crew will introduce you to the seasonal and iconic marine life in this area of the Sea of Cortez.
Aerial support is available throughout the trip to help maximise encounters. Once the mobula rays have been located, guests are transported to them on the accompanying high speed RIB. This is usually a morning excursion which is repeated after lunch, giving everyone as much time in the water as possible – a truly inspiring and unique marine encounter.
In the week, the boat moors in a protected bay, where a night snorkel with the rays is possible.
Is this the right choice for me?
The Mobulas & Orcas Liveaboard trip is limited to 12 passengers, offering an intimate adventure and more time for marine life encounters. Ocean activity during the week is by snorkelling and freediving. Guests are welcome to relax on board or use the kayaks and paddleboards too.
Humpback Whales in the Silver Banks, Dominican Republic
It's possible to embark on a whale watching trip in many places around the globe. It's rather more difficult to share the water with a whale, though. If that's your desire, then you should look no further than a snorkelling trip in the Silver Bank, Dominican Republic, situated in the Atlantic Ocean.
Each year between January and April, this remote region and marine reserve sees the latest gathering of North Atlantic humpback whales on the planet. As many as 3,000 whales are thought to gather here, using the area to court, to mate, and to give birth.
Despite their numbers, encounters can be challenging to set up, and must be on the whale's terms, but by spending the week on a comfortable liveaboard with experienced crew at hand, your chances of an unforgettable in-water whale encounter are very good indeed.
Join our special charter in conjunction with Wildlife Worldwide in February 2026 for the ultimate encounters, accompanied by expert tour leader and cetacean enthusiast Helen Bryon.
What's the Snorkelling with Humpbacks on Silver Bank trip like?
Live your dream by spending a week on a comfortable 45-metre liveaboard vessel in the company of these amazing creatures. The vessel anchors at Silver Bank, and you set off in the two 7.5 metre tenders for whale watching. The objective is to spend as much time in the water with the whales as they're comfortable with. Depending on what happens in the water, you return to the mother ship at around midday. After lunch and a short break, you head back out onto the water for the afternoon. Back aboard, the late afternoon cocktail hour is a time-honoured tradition.
On most evenings after dinner there's an informative short presentation relating to whales.
Minke Whales & Mantas in Queensland, Australia
There’s more incredible whale encounters to enjoy in Australia, between June and July each year. During this period, graceful dwarf minke whales gather on the Ribbon Reef’s off of northern Queensland. Known as one of the world’s most friendly and curious species of whale, ‘dwarf’ minke whales grow up to eight metres in length, and tend to gather in small pods. Their nature makes for superb quality encounters, ideal for both snorkelling and scuba diving.
Queensland is also home to beautiful white sand beaches, such as those found in Wineglass Bay and the Whitsunday Islands, which enhance the snorkelling experience with their stunning natural beauty and rich underwater experiences.
After a liveaboard cruise of between three and seven nights to search for minke whales, you can continue to get your big marine life fix with a visit to Lady Elliott Island on the southern reaches of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This beautiful island is a known location for excellent manta ray interactions, along with all manner of other exquisite marine life. The trip of a lifetime? It has to come close.
What's the Minke Whales & Mantas trip like?
The adventure starts in Cairns with opportunities to explore Daintree National Park and dive the extensive barrier reef. The trip includes the opportunity to take part in monitoring and researching the whales, whilst learning more from evening lectures by the crew.
Is this the right choice for me?
The Minke Whales & Mantas trip is a multi-centred adventure worth travelling for that makes use of liveaboard and resort stay accommodation. The itinerary accommodates both divers and snorkellers, so is perfect for diving couples or groups of mixed ability!
Spaces on all these exceptional snorkelling expeditions are limited, with early booking essential to avoid missing out on exploring some of the best snorkelling destinations.
If you feel inspired to share the water with some of nature’s incredible and diverse marine life, grab your snorkelling gear and get in touch with our friendly team today. For further inspiration, view all our snorkelling holidays.
