Snorkeling
The best places for snorkeling are Aruba, Cozumel, Nassau, Grand Cayman and Roatan. Aruba has the Antilla Shipwreck, a 400-foot freighter shallow enough to snorkel, plus calm bays such as Boca Catalina. Cozumel has reefs you can snorkel right off the sand at Chankanaab, and gear to rent at Playa Palancar.
Where it's best
Aruba has the Antilla Shipwreck off Malmok beach, a 400-foot German freighter scuttled in 1940 and shallow enough to snorkel, reached on catamaran sail-and-snorkel trips. Boca Catalina is a small bay with gentle waves and reef fish just offshore, and Baby Beach has calm water for beginners and children.
Cozumel has reefs you can snorkel right off the sand at Chankanaab, and gear can be rented on the beach at Playa Palancar. El Cielo is clear and shallow with starfish, suits all ages and levels, and needs no experience.
Nassau has snorkeling at Blue Lagoon Island, where some trips add a shark encounter. Rose Island offers snorkeling and swimming with pigs at Sand Dollar Beach Resort, and a sailing tour ends with a snorkel alongside colorful reefs.
Grand Cayman has Stingray City, where you snorkel in shallow water around the sandbar. Starfish Point has waist-deep water with stingrays, Cemetery Beach has a reef reached straight off the sand, and Boatswain's Beach has a saltwater snorkel lagoon with turtles.
Roatan's West Bay Beach has a thriving reef about 30 yards off the sand, an easy swim in clear water. West End has a shallow reef about 200 m out, and one snorkel tour visits two or three well known spots while another includes a cove reached only by water.
Bonaire has shore snorkel sites along the western coast where you walk in and follow the reef, though visitors should not swim alone because of the remoteness. Bonaire National Marine Park has more than 350 fish species recorded, and Klein Bonaire is known for its reef and sea turtles.
Key West has snorkeling from the beach area at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and off Smathers Beach. The waters of the Key West National Wildlife Refuge are prime for snorkeling and are reached only by boat.
St Thomas has Turtle Cove at Little Buck Island, reached by catamaran sail, where green sea turtles often swim close by over coral reefs. Coral World Ocean Park adds Power Snorkel, Snuba and a snorkel with juvenile sharks.
Ketchikan has guided snorkeling at Mountain Point in a provided wetsuit, mask and fins. You may see urchins, sea stars, crabs, sea cucumbers and kelp forests, and no experience is needed.
Mykonos has guided snorkeling in the Aegean after a brief introduction, and unlimited shore snorkeling at Lia Beach. Sail cruises provide gear and visit secluded coves, and Rhenia has crystal-clear water.
Rhodes has snorkeling at Kallithea Springs, with palm trees and Italian-built architecture along the shore. St. Paul's Bay has clear water and rock formations, and Anthony Quinn Bay is also good for snorkeling.
Kusadasi's Pigeon Island Marine Park has shallow, tranquil water where rabbitfish and breams live. Snorkeling is also offered for all levels on a tour that includes diving.
Belize City is known for Shark Ray Alley, where you snorkel over a sandy bottom among nurse sharks and stingrays with the reef nearby. Caye Caulker has snorkeling out over the reef.
Santorini's snorkeling is from boat tours out of Vlychada, with swim stops at the Black Mountain coves and Red Beach. Masks are on board.
CocoCay has clear water off Chill Island for snorkeling from the beach, with gear available on site. Swimmers can also head out over the coral basin at the island's east end.
Ocean Cay has shallow water off its beaches for wading or floating near the sand. The SS Sapona shipwreck is a popular snorkeling spot with colorful local fish.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
