12 of the Best Snorkeling Destinations

Trunk Bay (St. John)

Trunk Bay was once owned by Laurence S. Rockefeller and was donated to the National Park Service. It’s some of the most breathtaking and well-preserved attractions in the Virgin Islands.

Trunk Bay contains a 225-yard-long Underwater Trail of reefs for you to explore during your visit.  If you’re looking for crystal-clear, warm water and one of the most beautiful beaches around, Trunk Bay is the spot to spend your vacation.  

Buck Island (St. Croix)

Buck Island has a flourishing coral reef ecosystem that support many endangered and threated species.  It’s one of the best snorkeling areas because of its biological diversity and complexity. 

Proclaimed a National Monument in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, it sits just off St. Croix’s north coast and has over 19,000 acres of reef and land for you to explore.

Stingray City (Grand Cayman Islands)

One of the most unique experiences that you can have while on vacation, Stingray City is just what it sounds like.  Experience this amazing opportunity by touching and feeding stingrays, and then swimming along side them as you snorkel the magnificent coral reefs nearby. 

This is a great adventure for all ages, and it’s a vacation you wont soon forget.

Curacao Underwater Marine Park

Curacao often gets overlooked by snorkelers, and it’s probably because its waters aren’t as legally protected, and therefore maintained.  However, it is a fantastic snorkeling opportunity for anyone who wants an underwater adventure.

Curacao has larger fish than most snorkeling areas, so you get a completely new diving experience.  Read any snorkeling blogs about Curacao and you’ll find that it surprises everyone that goes to it, in the best way possible.

St. Martin

St. Martin not only has some of the best, most interesting, and varied snorkeling available, but it also has some of the most beautiful beaches around. 

The greatest part about St. Martin is that if you are stopping in for the day there’s plenty to see, but if you are staying for the week, you wont run out of exciting new areas to explore.  

Bonaire Marine Park

The park was established in 1979 and its goal is to protect and manage the islands natural, cultural, and historical resources. 

With some of the clearest waters and the most colorful reefs, Bonaire will never disappoint.  Bonaire is perfect for snorkelers of any skill level and has 63 official dive sites and over 350 fish species to explore.

The Grenadines

The Grenadines is a Caribbean island chain of over 600 islands.  Yeah, 600!  That means you’ll never run out of places to explore and underwater habitats to experience. 

The islands are divided between the nations of St. Vincent, the Grenadines and Grenada.  You'll struggle to see where the land and sky separate from the beautiful blue-green waters.

Antigua

Antigua is located just north of the equator and is 108 square miles of pure bliss.  Antigua has a nearly unbroken wall of coral reef for you to explore.  Not only does it have some of the most stunning snorkeling destinations and amazing sandy beaches for you, but it is filled with rich history.  Antigua is definitely a destination you'll want to spend some quality time at exploring the entire island. 

Cane Bay (St. Croix)

Cane Bay is definitely the place to go if you want to spend your entire vacation at the beach.  Check into your hotel, head down to the beach and then never leave.  Cane Bay is your one stop that has everything.  From beautiful beaches to amazing waters, and several bars and restaurants right on the beach, you'll never want to leave, and you wont have to!

Pigeon Cay, Roatan, Honduras

One side of Pigeon Cay has a large white-sand beach composed of fine crushed coral, while the other side of the cay is covered in coconut palms and other foliage that provides shade.  Take the whole family to this private island surrounded by water that comes in every different shade of blue you can think of.

Tobago Cays

The Tobago Cays Marine Park is located in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  Tobago Cays contains nesting sites for sea turtles, amazing coral reef habitats, and mangroves for you to explore. 

Because the cays are uninhabited it’s a perfect place for a getaway.  You can literally find your own private island for a few hours.  

Negril, Jamaica

Negril is known for its miles and miles of uninterrupted white-sand beaches.  With restaurants on cliffs overlooking the turquoise waters and cliff jumping available, you're in for more than just a snorkeling adventure, you're in for one of the best vacations you could ever take.