The Best Places To Go Snorkelling

The Best Places To Go Snorkelling

Whether you're a beginner or are quite experienced at it, snorkelling can be a lot of fun. By exploring the depths of the ocean, you can see a multitude of incredible plants and animals in their natural environment. Indeed, snorkelling is a bit like visiting another planet - without having to don a spacesuit or be rocketed into outer space. If you'd like to go on a bona fide snorkelling holiday but aren't sure quite where to go, there are several excellent spots around the globe to choose from; check out our top five picks by reading on below.

Dean's Blue Hole, Bahamas

As the world's deepest blue hole, Dean's Blue Hole is a true marvel. Located on Long Island in the Bahamas, this topnotch snorkelling spot offers up some unparalleled and unbelievable snorkelling opportunities. A blue hole occurs when the roof of a very old cave system collapses into the sea. At Dean's Blue Hole, you'll be mesmerised by the rapid way that the floor descends down to 600 feet; the white sands and crystal clear waters are stunning, too. In addition to a dizzying array of fish, you may spy many other creatures like turtles, dolphins or porpoises as you swim around this remarkable place. For world-class snorkelling, Dean's Blue Hole is a natural choice.

The Seychelles Islands

The Seychelles are more than 100 islands that are scattered off the east coast of Kenya, and they offer up some of the most unspoiled, scenic and peaceful beaches - and snorkelling opportunities - in the world. The coral reefs here are unforgettably beautiful, and the sea life is varied enough to keep you on your toes at every turn. You can choose to snorkel in popular, more-populated areas - or stick with more out-of-the-way, less crowded locales. Beginners can easily find instruction, while more experienced snorkellers will find plenty to keep them busy. Wherever you choose to snorkel, if it's within the Seychelles Islands you are going to have an experience unlike any other.

Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii

As the place where Captain Cook perished, Kealakekua Bay is historically significant and worth a visit for that reason alone. However, the real fun can be found beneath the surface of the pure blue waters just off its coast. Because the bay - and its snorkelling spots - are off the beaten path, you can rest assured that you will enjoy quite a bit of privacy while snorkelling here. To get to the bay, you'll need to hike or kayak there - but it's well worth it. Underwater lava caves make snorkelling here a true delight; watching the fish dart their way in and out of those caves is truly mesmerising. Eels are also plentiful here, and are a pleasure to observe. Finally, humpback whales and dolphins regularly pay visits here, so be on the lookout!

Norman Reef, Australia

People around the world know that the Great Barrier Reef is a true snorkelling mecca. As vast as it is, though, choosing a single spot to focus your efforts on can be daunting. If you're only going to snorkel in one place while visiting, make it the Norman Reef. You cannot simply walk or paddle over to the reef; a boat trip is necessary, but very worth it. The coral shelves and other amazing features that abound here will reel you in; there are giant clams and thousands of different tropical fish to keep you from ever getting bored. For sheer beauty, variety and splendour, Norman Reef is a wonderful place to snorkel.

The Red Sea

There are a couple of great choices when it comes to snorkelling in the Red Sea; Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga, Egypt are at the top of the list. If you want to see what snorkelling in the Red Sea is all about, choose one of those places as your jumping off point. The waters are surprisingly clear, and they are teeming with an abundance of interesting and colourful fish and other sea life. There's definitely a reason why the Red Sea has earned such a positive reputation in the world of snorkelling; book a holiday there to find out for yourself - you definitely will not be disappointed.

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Top Ten Diving Sites in Europe

Top Ten Diving Sites in Europe

You don't have to upset environmentalists by travelling across the globe to witness the wonder under the waves. There are plenty of excellent submarine adventures to be had within a half-day's flying time from the UK. Less carbon footprint, less chance of your foot being chewed off by a Great White shark. Result! Here's my guide to the top ten diving sites in Europe.

1) Ras Mohammed, Egypt

With off-shore names such as Anemone City and Shark Reef, you know you're in for something special in the Marine Conservation Park of Ras Mohammed Reef, midway between Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt. Here, vertical walls and wrecks complete a truly fabulous underwater adventure experience. Giftun Island, an easy half-day excursion from Hurghada and Makadi, is a reef island close to some excellent dive spots - even snorkelling is great here, and boats regularly leave the major resorts for leisurely half-day cruises (usually with lunch included). Overnight excursions to The Brothers and Zabargad islands are great - as the reefs are teeming with phosphorescent underwater life.

2) Scapa Flow, Orkney, Scotland

Something a bit different here, off the chilly Northern British coast. During the First World War, surrendered German vessels were scuttled to prevent a submarine attack. Now, these form vast underwater reefs in the clear, cool waters. They're home to huge, inquisitive lobsters, octopus, starfish and wrasse - and the odd German gun, of course! An excellent cold-water dive.

3) Kas, Turkey

Turkey's Lycian coast is a stunning spot- benefiting from excellent visibility and dramatic wall dives, bottoming out at 85 metres beneath the waves. The Canyon Wreck wall has stunning underwater flora, bristling with life such as Moray eels, Trigger fish and grouper. Wrecks date back ro 100BC, in this large bay hunkered down between the Med and the Taurus mountains on the south coast of Turkey. Fethiye, too, is a favourite spot for taking to the waters.

4) Tenerife, Canaries

Surely the best Canary island for divers both experienced and novice, Tenerife is a good spot to get up close and personal with barracuda, morays, angelsharks and parrotfish. Best areas are the Wall, at Radazul, with its vertical rockface, Devil's Reef at Radazul, a deep dive with lots of black and red coral formations, and the 38m dive at Masca Deep - teeming with flora and alive with morays and triggerfiches.

5) Baron Gautsch, Rovinj, Croatia

The Croatian coast is spectacular. Rocky ledges fall off into cobalt blue waters which, due to the scarcity of sand around these parts, is incredibly clear, to over 40 metres. Wreck divers won't want to miss one of the Adriatic's most beautiful sites - the Baron Gautsch shipwreck was once a casualty of the First World War. But shipping's loss is diving's gain, and this wreck is abundant with algae, coral, colourful fish, and anemones. Other good spots in Croatia include the offshore national park of the Kornati archipelago - especially around Rasip.

6) Santorini, Greece

On the plus side, you've got beautifully clear, warm waters (hovering around 35 degrees), and some stunning underwater rock formations. On the minus, it's difficult to deny that the Med is an extremely over-fished destination. Still, there is life if you know where to look for it. The best spot? Adiaviad. With visibility around 26-30 meters you'll have no trouble spotting the octopus, barracuda, red snapper and grouper amid the brightly coloured coral. Also try Mansell Reef in the open sea outside the caldera.

7) Cyprus

Recent wrecks, well sited, can quickly become A-list destinations. Take the Zenobia. Divers love this huge ferry, which lies just 15 metres under the surface, and goes down to 42 metres. Great, of course, for swim-throughs, although we hear that the bars are closed. You'll easily use up a week's worth of dives at this site, and always discover something new each time. Watch out for turtles!

8) Malta and Gozo

Diving is multi-coloured experience although, in Malta, the predominant hue is blue. The Azue Window is the name given to the natural rock arch which frames the beautiful blue Mediterranean. But, at the Blue Hole, the intensity of colour gets ratcheted up a notch. Here, a beautiful sharp drop inside the Blue Hole cave takes you to underground fissures and caverns, swim-throughs and chimneys. It's a startlingly impressive dive site, with sea life in abundance.

9) Eilat, Israel

The Israeli Red Sea is fast becoming a serious contender. Excellent dive schools have set up in recent years, and staff are only too keen to get you out to the action. Good dives are the Caves, Coral Beach, and Mosquito Wreck - with reefs extending up to 30 metres down, alive with lion fish, grouper, manta rays and friends. And, while the Dead Sea isn't dive central, it's got to be visited while you're here.

10) South of France

It mightn't immediately come to mind, but the south-west corner of France, around Antibes and Nice, has some super diving locations. Sea Lion Island has a stunning drop off populated with gorgonian coral to a depth of 40 metres. Home red coral, lobsters and even a sunken pedalo! Further along, at La Fourmigue, there's even a statue of the Virgin Mary (the location's used for underwater weddings!) Impressive biodiversity, warm, clear waters, and that South of France vibe. It's definitely worth considering...

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