One of the vital alluring elements of a visit to the Caribbean is the abundance of snorkeling alternatives. With vibrant marine life and reef programs, the Caribbean is among the high locations on the planet for many who wish to snorkel.
We’ve put collectively an inventory of our high 10 finest Caribbean snorkeling spots that can assist you discover your good underwater vacation spot.
Turks and Caicos
Widespread amongst vacationers for the scenic and fun-filled island of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos can be a wonderful snorkeling vacation spot. Dwelling to an enormous barrier reef system, the clear waters surrounding Turks and Caicos are teeming with colourful marine life.
In case you’re planning on visiting, it’s possible you’ll need to take a snorkeling cruise from Providenciales in an effort to discover the highest areas across the islands.
A number of the finest snorkeling in Turks & Caicos will be discovered at Malcolm’s Highway Seashore, a reasonably distant spot that’s well-liked with extra superior snorkelers; Bight Reef, nice for close-shore snorkeling; and Smith’s Reef, dwelling to a number of attractive coral patches.
Bonaire
Because the second-largest island within the Dutch Caribbean, Bonaire has a lot of area in its surrounding waters to discover the gorgeous marine life. It boasts one of many healthiest coral reefs in the entire of the Caribbean, and there are many locations to entry it from the island’s shores.
Underwater you’ll be able to uncover a massively numerous vary of marine life. A number of the finest Caribbean snorkeling spots listed here are slender strips of coral reefs which are accessible from public seashores.
With a persistently delicate local weather all yr spherical, you’ll be able to get pleasure from snorkeling at any time of yr in Bonaire. Prime areas embrace Sorbon Seashore / Lac Bay, which supplies splendidly calm days and is nice for many who are robust swimmers; 1000 Steps Seashore; Andrea II; and Klein Bonaire–arguably the highest spot–which is barely accessible by boat.
Roatan
Roatan, an island belonging to Honduras, is among the finest Caribbean snorkeling spots which are near the U.S. It’s finest to go to Roatan when the local weather is most temperate and crowds are fewer, from March to Might.
The environment of this small island are teeming with marine life, together with wonderful species corresponding to sea turtles, whale sharks, and queen angelfish, and guarded by the Nationwide Marine Park. You may entry the gorgeous water from wherever across the island, however many snorkelers advocate heading to West Bay for a few of the finest experiences.
It may be a good suggestion to e-book a snorkeling cruise right here so you’ll be able to profit from an professional information. If you wish to discover the waters by your self, nevertheless, a few of the high spots to snorkel in Roatan are West Bay, situated in entrance of the Grand Roatan Resort; Half Moon Bay, a protected bay the place you’ll be able to see loads of fish; and Sandy Bay, a quiet and tranquil location that requires a little bit of an extended swim to achieve.
Grand Cayman
One location that boasts nice snorkel situations all yr spherical is Grand Cayman of the Cayman Islands. Many well-liked snorkel spots across the island have direct seashore entry, whereas others are higher in case you discover them with a tour.
There’s an enormous vary of snorkel spots within the Cayman Islands, with gorgeous colourful reefs attracting snorkelers from all all over the world. A number of the finest spots to incorporate in your itinerary are Stingray City, the place you may make associates with a lot of stingrays; Smith Cove, the place there’s loads of coral towards a rocky shoreline; and Eden Rock, which has a handy central location in George City.
Mexico
With 5,800 miles of Mexican shoreline to get pleasure from, there’s no scarcity of fantastic snorkel spots to select from, notably when all the perfect locations to look. The Yucatan Peninsula, which stands proud into the Caribbean Sea, is definitely dwelling to the second-largest reef on the planet, the Mesoamerican Reef. For a few of the finest Caribbean snorkeling in Mexico, you’ll need to put locations corresponding to Cozumel, the Riviera Maya, and Isla Holbox on the high of your listing.
When on the lookout for a snorkeling spot, you’ll need to keep away from the fantastic sandy seashores within the space. As an alternative, hold an eye fixed out for rocky, darkish shorelines, which signifies an excellent snorkel spot.
Located alongside the Riviera Maya, Puerto Morales presents probably the greatest reefs and is accessible by a brief boat journey. Akumal Bay has lengthy been a preferred snorkel spot, because of its abundance of turtles, however the space has change into fairly overrun in recent times. Cozumel is an island situated proper on the reef and Isla Holbox is nice for seeing whale sharks.
Curacao
Positioned within the southern Caribbean close to Bonaire, Curacao additionally presents quite a lot of snorkel spots. Many of those have seashore entry, making them straightforward to entry and not using a lengthy swim or boat journey.
A number of the high snorkeling spots in Curacao are Playa Lagun; Tugboat; and Klein Curacao, a tiny island located round 6 miles from the principle island of Curacao. On the west coast of the island, you’ll be able to uncover sea turtles, colleges of vibrant fish, and the well-known tugboat wreckage.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is one other of the perfect Caribbean snorkeling spots that’s near the U.S. With an excellent number of coral and marine life, there are many simply accessible snorkeling websites close to a few of the lovely seashores or only a brief boat trip away.
A very fashionable spot for each snorkeling and diving is among the many islands off of Fajardo on Puerto Rico’s east coast, Icacos and Cayo Diablo. Many snorkeling followers go to from all all over the world for the chance to swim with the turtles and see the colourful coral and thrilling colleges of fish.
The “Spanish Virgin Islands,” Vieques and Culebra, supply up glorious snorkeling in addition to a few of the prettiest and most secluded seashores, good for enjoyable when you’ve had your underwater enjoyable!
Jamaica
One of many hottest locations within the Caribbean (by way of recognition, not climate!) is Jamaica. So it could come as no shock to be taught that alongside the energetic seashore events, tasty meals, and fascinating tradition, the island additionally presents some improbable snorkel spots.
In case you’re a snorkeling fan touring to Jamaica, be sure to go to Negril. At this well-liked beachfront city, you’ll have entry to a variety of fantastic offshore reefs. You probably have the chance, make sure to hop on a ship and enterprise off the coast of Seven Mile Seashore to discover the coral reef.
In Montego Bay, yow will discover extra good snorkeling from the shore at Physician’s Cave Seashore, which is ideal for these not eager to take a ship out. In case you’re staying in an all-inclusive resort corresponding to a Sandals resort, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of organized snorkeling journeys to the offshore reefs (included along with your price at Sandals).
U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands supply loads of shore snorkeling choices, accessible from the principle vacationer islands of St. Thomas and St. John, the place yow will discover the Virgin Islands Nationwide Park. There are additionally a number of smaller islands within the area that characteristic great snorkeling.
The waters listed here are stuffed with marine life, together with sea turtles, lobsters, and tropical fish. A number of the high snorkel spots within the U.S. Virgin Islands embrace Christmas Cove, which is a good spot for a fun-filled boat journey; Watermelon Cay on the island of St. John; Secret Harbour on the island of St. Thomas; and Trunk Bay, some of the photographed seashores within the U.S. Virgin Islands and a great place for first-time snorkelers.
It is a nice choice for U.S. residents eager to travel without a passport.
British Virgin Islands
Positioned simply beside the U.S. Virgin Islands are the British Virgin Islands, which share plenty of the identical underwater attraction.
Recognized to supply a few of the finest cruising and crusing experiences, the British Virgin Islands are additionally good for underwater exploration. Merely drop anchor and dive into the water to find what lies under!
It’s advisable to rent a ship in an effort to attain the perfect snorkel spots within the British Virgin Islands. This manner, you get to discover not solely the 4 predominant islands of Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, but in addition the 50 smaller islands and cays scattered across the area.
A number of the high snorkel spots within the British Virgin Islands embrace The Indians, accessible by boat; The Baths, a world-famous spot with large boulders; and The Caves.
These are simply a few of the finest Caribbean snorkeling locations; because the space has a few of the finest snorkeling on the planet, it may be tough to decide on the proper place to go to. In case you’re nonetheless struggling to decide, attain out to one in all our trusted journey advisors by way of our Contact Us web page.
