Home to an estimated 240,000 species, as revealed by CNN, the ocean is nothing short of a living, breathing wonderland. And one of the most thrilling passports to this aquatic spectacle? Snorkeling. Snorkeling closely mirrors a safari, except this time, you're exploring spellbinding marine wildlife. This begs the question: where should one go for a snorkeling experience par excellence?
Jellyfish Lake, Palau
Putting on your snorkeling gear and diving in a sea full of jellyfish sounds a bit careless. But it's not if you're going for an excursion in Palau's marine lake at Eil Malk island. Unlike jellyfish in other areas, those in Jellyfish Lake, Palau, don't have harmful stings. This means you can swim among millions of moon and golden fish without fear of getting stung. This fact makes Jellyfish Lake one of the world's incredible places to connect with marine wildlife. Snorkeling experts recommend swimming towards parts of the lake with the most sunlight to locate thousands of jellyfish, as they like staying in warm water.
Champagne Reef In Dominica
If swimming in a sea of jellyfish doesn't excite you, how about taking a dip in underwater volcanoes? With plenty of geothermal activity, the water in Champagne Reef is warm and bubbly. A jump into the warm water is thrilling and feels like bathing in a tub filled with champagne. You'll be covered with millions of tiny bubbles rising from the volcanic thermal rock fissures on the ocean floor. Besides warm, bubbly water, Champagne Reef is home to extraordinary marine life. The reef is a paint box of sponges with interesting names like purple vase, red rope, and pink azure. You'll also encounter fascinating creatures like parrotfish, hawksbill turtles, ray fish, trumpet fish, octopus, sea snakes, and seahorses.
Japan's Yaeyama Islands
Japan might not cross your mind when searching for the perfect snorkeling destination. However, the country is home to one of the most underrated snorkeling spots, the Yaeyama Islands. For example, snorkeling at Cape Kabira, Ishigaki's coast, is a great opportunity to observe manta rays as they glide through the water. If you snorkel at Taketomi Island, you get a close view of a submarine geyser and feel the warmth of thermal water gushing from the springs in the seabed. Nakanokami Island is a great spot to see pelagic fish, like tuna, dog tooth, and barracuda, while Nishihama is perfect for viewing butterfly fish and clownfish around corals.
Sicily, Italy
If you're looking for a summer weekend getaway around Europe, Sicily, Italy, should be top on your list. Aside from island hopping from Taormina to the Aeolian Islands, through the coast of Cefalu and Palermo, you will enjoy a memorable snorkeling experience. The small island of Ustica is the best snorkeling spot in Europe. But you may want to explore unusual places like Alfaro Beach, where you can dive into a natural pool. For a more thrilling experience, consider snorkeling in small pebbly coves at Zingaro Natural Reserve or exploring rocky pools and caves at Plemirrio Natural Reserve. So, next time you plan a vacation to Italy, pack your snorkeling gear, swimsuit, and underwater iPhone housing and explore these incredible spots.
Silfra Fissure, Iceland
Silfra fissure is the only spot in the world where you can swim between the tectonic plates of Eurasian and North America and touch two continents at the same time. When you dive into Silfra fissure, you're simply wading into a rift formed in 1789 after an earthquake struck. The rift is filled with melted glacial water, ranked as the clearest on the planet, with a visibility of 100 meters. Because freshwater constantly flows into the fissure, the water freezes to 2-4 Celsius, so you must wrap yourself up from head to toe with a wet suit. Another thing to marvel at when snorkeling at Silfra is the countless marine algae with jewel-like blue and green shades.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
The rich biodiversity of Raja Ampat makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling enthusiasts seeking adventure in protected waters. Efforts to reclaim declining reefs, fish, and other marine life in the region over the past few years have been fruitful. Today, there are over 1,700 tropical fish species, 600 species of hard coral, and endangered marine animals. According to Ocean Sounds, you can spot sperm whales, Blainville's beaked whales, long-beaked spinner dolphins, orcas, and pygmy killer whales in Raja Ampat.
Bay Of Naples, Italy
The Baia Archeological Marine Park underneath the Bay of Naples is enchanting and mysterious—a perfect example of an extraordinary snorkeling location. Instead of being welcomed by colorful coral reefs and exotic species of tropical fish, the Roman town of Baia is the first thing you come face to face with. This Roman resort town was submerged in water in the 16th century, creating a spectacular view. You'll have a memorable experience swimming among ancient mosaics, marble statues, and ionic columns built centuries ago.
Sculpture Park In Grenada
Jason deCaires Taylor, creator of sculptures worldwide, said, "The ocean is the most incredible exhibition space an artist could ever wish for." One of the sculptor's most beautiful creations is in the waters of Grenada. The Sculpture Park in Grenada is the first in the world and reflects the culture and history of the region. The gallery includes the most photographed sculpture, the Vicissitudes (a circle of 26 children holding hands), which depicts an emotional but calm image. The Lost Correspondent is another mesmerizing sculpture that portrays a man working at his desk, with the surrounding reef as his office space. The concrete statues are home to coral and other marine life and are 6-15 feet deep, where snorkelers can access them easily.
Chuuk Lagoon In Micronesia
This Imperial Japanese naval base site during the Second World War is one of the world's unusual snorkeling spots. The site was also a battlefield when the US attacked the base two years after bombing Pearl Harbour. An estimated 60 ships and 300 warplanes were downed in the blue water lagoon, and they are still there today. While most ship and plane wreckage is deep in the ocean and only accessible by scuba divers, about 15 wreckages are close to the surface, where snorkelers can get a first-hand encounter with World War II history.
Campbell River, Canada
Campbell River in Canada offers a unique opportunity to swim with salmon fish and watch them swim upstream to their gravel spawning beds. Given the freshwater of Campbell River can get extremely cold, wetsuits are recommended. You'll also use floatation aids to avoid kicking and splashing. Watching salmon fish migrate is a spectacle, but the feeling of snorkeling alongside them is more thrilling.
Snorkeling in the most unusual places in the world makes your underwater excursion experience more exciting and memorable. A place like Silfra Fissure offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch two planets simultaneously, while snorkeling in Campbell River allows you to swim with salmon fish. But, regardless of the destination that sounds the most epic to you, every location mentioned on this list is worth exploring. Whichever spot you choose, ensure you pack your snorkeling gear and invest in an underwater housing for your iPhone to record your adventure.
