Snorkeling World

Moorea, French Polynesia Making a list of the best places is a difficult task; there's always something that gets left out, but after some deep reflection, I chose these nine places where I snorkeled over magnificent coral reefs: Bunaken, Indonesia I visited this place more by chance, as I chose it as a transit point to Raja Ampat, since there were direct flights from Singapore to Manado, very close to Bunaken Island, and from Manado to Sorong, which is the entry point to Raja Ampat. Bunaken offers attractively priced accommodations, and its coral reefs are in no way inferior to the most well-known names globally, so it's an out-of-the-box choice to consider. Marsa Alam, Egypt Considered the most diverse marine area among the big names in the Red Sea, it offers world-class snorkeling. It's relatively close to Europe, with affordable flights and good quality resorts, making it a snorkeling trip at prices that are hard to beat. Here I found coral reefs in calm, warm waters pr...

  Baixa do Ambrósio, Santa Maria, Azores Portugal often gets overlooked as a snorkeling destination, overshadowed by the Mediterranean or tropical hotspots. But between the Atlantic archipelagos and the mainland coast, this country hides some genuinely world-class underwater experiences. Here are four spots worth packing your mask and fins for. Santa Maria, Azores If you're chasing the best snorkeling Portugal has to offer, the Azores are hard to beat, and Santa Maria, the southernmost island of the archipelago, might just take the crown. The star attraction here is Baixa do Ambrósio, famous for manta ray sightings, a rare treat in European waters. Santa Maria also holds a unique distinction: it's the most reliable spot in Europe to encounter whale sharks during summer months, when warm currents bring plankton blooms that attract these gentle giants. Visibility here regularly exceeds 20 meters, and the volcanic rock formations create dramatic underwater landscapes that make eve...

Some teachers don't speak, yet somehow leave the deepest impressions. In years of freediving and snorkeling across the world's oceans, five creatures have shaped the way I see life, courage, patience, and connection. This is the story of five encounters and the lessons each one left behind. The Triggerfish: Don't Judge by Appearance I've dived with sharks countless times without incident. The only creature that has ever bitten me, in different parts of the world, was a small triggerfish, specifically a subspecies called Picasso. Triggerfish become fiercely territorial during breeding season, defending their nests and eggs against any perceived threat, including humans who wander too close without realizing it. Triggerfish (Picasso) Hanauma Bay, Hawaii In Portugal, where I live, I've encountered triggerfish many times without ever feeling threatened, yet in other parts of the world, divers approach them with real caution, sometimes even fear. The lesson is simple but...

  Having explored a good portion of the world's best snorkeling spots, I've chosen seven. This is never an easy list to make, as incredible places inevitably get left out. Great Barrier Reef, Australia It's impossible to make a list without the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the largest coral reef in the world, so vast that it's visible from space and comparable in size to countries like Italy or Japan. Living in Portugal, the Great Barrier Reef was on the other side of the world, but it was a place I had to see. I explored the area from Cairns, snorkeling on an outer reef, at Green Island, and at Fitzroy Island. These three distinct experiences gave me a glimpse of this incredible location, which has to be part of any snorkeling or diving list. Maldives The Maldives are made up of over 100 islands with tourist infrastructure, so the options are virtually limitless. One option is to choose islands with local settlements or resort islands; the limitations of staying am...

  At the beginning of the trip, a curious stingray took shelter in the shade of the boat, as despite the early hours, the heat was already felt. Every year, Moorea in French Polynesia hosts one of the most crucial stages in the migration of Humpback Whales. Between July and November, these whales arrive here after having traveled six thousand kilometers from Antarctica. Their objective is to mate, give birth, and grow their calves, and Moorea is the ideal place for this. This is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to swim with whales, especially respecting their space. We had a first attempt, where, after going into the water, the mother and calf were not receptive, so we left the area. After another search, we found a mother and cub receptive to our approach In fact, the cub was more than receptive and practically came towards us. The process of approaching consists of only approaching whales and their calves that are receptive to contact. The boats are at leas...

After snorkeling around the world, my favorite place is French Polynesia. I’ll be honest — I went to French Polynesia without very high expectations. I knew it would be good, but I didn’t expect it to match places like the Great Barrier Reef, Raja Ampat, or the Maldives. I was wrong. Getting to French Polynesia: My route was Lisbon, London, San Francisco, then Oahu in Hawaii, and finally Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia in Tahiti. I chose to stop overnight in London, San Francisco, and Oahu. This made the long journey much easier and reduced the fatigue of too many consecutive hours on flights. Stopping in Hawaii also gave me the chance to dive in Hanauma Bay , which was an incredible experience and something I highly recommend: Why I Chose Moorea? After some research, I chose Moorea as my base. It’s very close to Tahiti, just a short ferry ride away. Compared to other islands, it’s more affordable, offers excellent snorkeling conditions, and gives you the chance to see whales ...