Snorkeling destinations
Island-by-island guides with spot cards, maps, directions and the tours worth booking. Start with a region, then go spot by spot.
Hawaii
Four islands, very different seasons. Start with the island guide, then the tour comparisons.
HawaiiBest places to snorkel in Hawaii: 20 spots by islandTwenty of Hawaii's best snorkel spots on Maui, the Big Island, Oahu, Kauai and Lanai, each with level, entry, best months, directions and the rules you need to know.
HawaiiBest snorkeling spots in Hawaii for beginnersTen calm, shallow Hawaii snorkel spots with easy sandy entries and lifeguards, plus beginner-friendly tours and the gear and habits that keep first-timers safe.
HawaiiBest snorkeling in Maui: 12 spots, conditions and toursTwelve of Maui's best snorkel spots with parking, entry points, best season and level, plus Molokini tours and how to pick the right coast on the day.
SafetyMaui snorkel report: how to check today's conditionsHow to read surf, wind, tide and water-quality reports for Maui snorkeling, which coast to choose by season, and where to go when your first choice is rough.
HawaiiBest snorkeling on the Big Island: Kona Coast spots and Captain Cook toursThe Big Island's best snorkel spots on the Kona, Kohala and Hilo coasts, with directions, levels and seasons, plus Kealakekua Bay tours compared.
HawaiiBest snorkeling on Oahu: 10 spots beyond Hanauma BayOahu's best snorkel spots beyond Hanauma Bay, from Shark's Cove and Three Tables to Ko Olina and Turtle Canyon, with directions, seasons, levels and tours.
HawaiiHanauma Bay snorkeling: reservations, tips and is it worth it?How Hanauma Bay reservations work, current fees and closed days, where to snorkel inside the bay, how to get there without a car, and the best alternatives if it is sold out.
HawaiiBest snorkeling in Kauai: 8 spots and Na Pali Coast toursKauai's best snorkel spots by season, from Tunnels and Ke'e on the north shore to Poipu and Lawai Beach in the south, plus Na Pali Coast snorkel tours compared.Caribbean
Shore reefs, wrecks and cruise-day snorkeling, island by island.
CaribbeanBest snorkeling in the Caribbean: 15 islands rankedFifteen Caribbean islands ranked for snorkeling, with the best shore and boat spots on each, when to go, cruise-day tips and the sunscreen rules that apply.
CaribbeanSnorkeling St. Croix: Buck Island, Frederiksted Pier and 8 more spotsSt. Croix's best snorkeling, from the Buck Island underwater trail to seahorses under the Frederiksted Pier and the Cane Bay wall, with directions, levels and tours.
CaribbeanSnorkeling St. Thomas and St. John: best beaches, turtles and boat tripsThe best snorkeling on St. Thomas and St. John, from Coki Beach and Secret Harbour to Trunk Bay's underwater trail and the turtles of Maho Bay, with ferry and taxi tips.
CaribbeanTurks and Caicos snorkeling: best reefs from shore and top boat toursWhere to snorkel in Turks and Caicos: Smith's Reef and Bight Reef off Grace Bay, Malcolm's Road, Grand Turk and the best snorkel boat tours from Providenciales.
CaribbeanAruba snorkeling: Antilla shipwreck, Boca Catalina and the best toursAruba's best snorkeling: the Antilla shipwreck, Boca Catalina, Arashi, Mangel Halto and Baby Beach, with directions, levels and snorkel cruises compared.
CaribbeanBelize snorkeling: Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley and Caye CaulkerHow to snorkel Belize's barrier reef: Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, Mexico Rocks, Caye Caulker and the south, with tours compared and when to go.
CaribbeanRoatán snorkeling: West Bay, West End and cruise-day tipsWhere to snorkel on Roatán: West Bay's reef off the beach, Half Moon Bay and Blue Channel in West End, plus marine park rules, cruise-day timing and getting around.
CaribbeanCozumel snorkeling: Palancar, El Cielo and the best reefs from shoreCozumel's best snorkeling by boat and from shore: Palancar, Colombia, El Cielo, Dzul-Ha, Chankanaab and Skyreef, with tours, park fees and cruise-day tips.
CaribbeanCancún and Riviera Maya snorkeling: reefs, cenotes, turtles and whale sharksThe best snorkeling near Cancún: Puerto Morelos reef, the MUSA underwater museum, Akumal's turtles, Yal-Ku lagoon, the best cenotes and whale shark season.
CaribbeanPuerto Rico snorkeling: Culebra, Vieques and the best spots near San JuanPuerto Rico's best snorkeling: Culebra's Tamarindo and Carlos Rosario, Vieques, Icacos by catamaran from Fajardo, Escambrón in San Juan and Steps Beach in Rincón.Worldwide
Bucket-list water, from the outer Great Barrier Reef to a glacial fissure in Iceland.
WorldwideBest places to snorkel in the world: 25 bucket-list spotsTwenty-five of the world's best snorkeling spots, from Raja Ampat and the Great Barrier Reef to Iceland's Silfra fissure, with level, best months, what you'll see and how to get there.
ToursGreat Barrier Reef snorkeling from Cairns: best tours comparedHow to choose a Great Barrier Reef snorkel trip from Cairns: inner vs outer reef, island vs pontoon, group size, stinger season, and the best day tours compared.
ToursSilfra snorkeling in Iceland: drysuit, tours and what it's really likeWhat it is like to snorkel Silfra in Iceland's Thingvellir National Park: the drysuit, the cold, requirements, the best tours compared and how to get there from Reykjavík.