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Drift amidst a dazzling rainbow of fish and above a myriad of vibrant corals in these exotic locales. These are some of our top spots for snorkeling, where mother nature’s beauty shines bright beneath the waves.
Isla Holbox, Mexico
This island off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is the place to snorkel right next to whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. The sliver of an island is part of the Yum Balam Nature Reserve where pink flamingos are a brilliant sight against the jade waters, and the beaches are soft coral sands.
Coral Triangle
The Coral Triangle is a marine area with a vibrant blast of colorful corals covering eastern Indonesia, Solomon Islands, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Malaysia. Raja Ampat is made up of 610 islands, composed of soft coral jungles in orange, red, purple, and pink. Here you will find some 540 species of coral and nearly 1,700 species of fish. Corals are in shallow waters hanging just below the surface, so it is easy to access these premium snorkeling spots right off the beach.
Galapagos Islands
Great Barrier Reef
The world’s largest coral reef is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the natural world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its expanse is so large that it can be seen from space; it’s pretty amazing from a helicopter, too. The Great Barrier Reef is home to hundreds of islands, hard and soft corals, and countless fish, mollusks, starfish, turtles, dolphins, and sharks.
Maldives
Step off the sand into a natural aquarium in these mainly uninhabited islands within the Indian Ocean. The shallow, clear waters of the hundreds of islands are brimming with lion fish and clown fish living amidst the hard and soft corals. You can also swim with manta rays in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
You’ll find the Phi Phi Islands in the Andaman Sea, not too far from the famous paradise of Phuket. These islands are part of a national marine park established in 1983 to protect the area’s biodiversity. The water here is a clear, green shade that shimmers like a sparkling gem surrounded by tall limestone cliffs.
Belize
The Ambergris Caye is home to coral underneath the turquoise waters of the Caribbean coast. Get up close to nurse sharks at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and float in tranquil seas of this beautiful paradise.
Ready to take the plunge? Dive into one of our top spots for snorkeling and contact us to begin customizing your own Ker & Downey journey. If all this tropical talk has you inspired, you might like our list of Tropical Tales, too.
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