Thread: world's 7 Best Snorkeling Spots

According to travel Writer Ty Sawyer, the 7 best places in the world to snorkel are:

1. The Whale-Haunted Waters of Rurutu
2. Hanauma Bay, Oahu
3. Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
4. Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji
5. Anse Chastanet House Reef, St. Lucia
6. Stingray World, Moorea (Tahiti)
7. Ned’s Beach, Lord Howe Island (S Pacific)

To read the complete article, link here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11881827/

Now - Tell us about YOUR favorite snorkel spots!

1. Klein Bonaire beach, Bonaire, Dutch Antilles
2. Off Lighthouse Pt., Aruba, Dutch Antilles (Fantastic German ship wreck site)
3. Trunk Bay, St. John's, USVI

In general, I've had way better snorkeling in the Western Caribbean than the Eastern...

I really looked forward to snorkeling Trunk Bay, but conditions ware really bad the day I was there, with part of the course closed off due to high surf, and very poor visibility overall due to the churning action of the water.

Guess I'll just have to try Trunk Bay again.
Ditto for the Sea Turtle snorkel excursion in Barbados... only saw a vague outline of a single turtle (surf conditions again) when I did that one.

The Stingg Ray snorkel in Antigua was nice, though.

Always have had great clear waters in the Western Caribbean, however. Costa Maya, Cozumel and Roatan were all standouts!

Haven't done any of those, but we found great snorkelling at a couple of spots in Hawaii. For beginners, Kahaluu Bay near Kona. No coral to speak of, but lots of fish and turtles. It's protected by a rock wall built by natives long ago. Also there's a marine preserve on Lanai that has some great snorkelling. We've had good luck in Grand Cayman and also on a reef just off Grand Bahama island.

OK I am sure my Hawaiian spelling is wrong, but its the bay where Captain Cook was killed. We went there on a charter boat. It was faboulous. We could see 40 to 50 feet down atleast, the water was crystal clear and there were lots and lots of colorful fish and sea creatures. I was fabulous.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia was awesome! Shocked it wasn't on the list!

Do agree with canarymoon! Have always found snorkeling in the Western Caribbean better than Eastern.

Originally Posted by canarymoon

In general, I've had way better snorkeling in the Western Caribbean than the Eastern...!

NOW ... sometimes, I just like to swim around with a mask so going places where pretty fish are easy to see can be important as well!

Originally Posted by canarymoon

Always have had great clear waters in the Western Caribbean, however. Costa Maya, Cozumel and Roatan were all standouts!

Canarymoon-
I will have to ask your recommendation for a good beach for the family after we make the delivery to CSI!

Also I had understood that Cozumel's reefs were pummeled byt the last hurricane, does anyone know?

localady-
After our visit to CSI last April (It's been a year now- too long!), we snorkeled at Half Moon Beach.
I think our driver said there was rentable gear there, but don't remember for sure, as we have our own.

Half Moon Beach is the spot Brad recommended. He told us that if you swim out about 50 yards, there is an incredibly beautiful drop off. I never got out that far, as we spent a LOT of time at the restaurant there (which was good) and so, were short on snorkel time.

I gotta go back to check it out that drop off!

Maybe October... Maybe July...

Originally Posted by LuLu

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia was awesome! Shocked it wasn't on the list!

LuLu....The GBR is #3 on the list!!!!