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Snorkeling In India: 5 Great Reasons to Go There Now

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With its white-sand beaches and tropical islands, India is a must-visit snorkeling destination, but it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. There are isolated coral reefs, numerous shipwrecks, remote atolls, and shallow coral gardens that host an eye-popping array of marine life. With India recently opening its borders to fully vaccinated travelers, now is the time to explore this incredible destination before the rest of the world finds out.


1. Choose from numerous idyllic destinations.

With over 8000 kilometers of coastline and 1382 islands nestled in the Indian Ocean, India has a huge variety of destinations and world-class snorkeling spots. The best time to visit India’s top destinations varies, meaning you can find somewhere in India to indulge your inner mermaid at almost any time of year.

The Andaman Islands are surrounded by bright blue waters and fringed with isolated coral reefs, making them one of the best places to go snorkeling in India. It is a tropical paradise destination with thriving mangroves that support diverse marine life and extraordinary birdlife.

Havelock Island and Neil Island are two of the most exceptional snorkeling spots in the Andaman Islands and are regularly rated as two of the best places for scuba diving in India.


2. Snorkel among vibrant marine life in crystal-clear waters.

Sitting in the warm Indian Ocean, India’s snorkeling sites host a dazzling array of life, including abundant tropical reef fish, lionfish, moray eels and prized critters. Manta rays, whales and dolphins are also seen in India’s waters.

Sea turtles are regularly spotted cruising the reefs and nest at many of India’s islands, including at the Lakshadweep archipelago.

Kadmat Island (Cardamom Island) in Lakshadweep is all about turquoise seas, white sand beaches and encounters with numerous sea turtles.  With healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs to explore, it is a mecca for marine life. Make sure you leave time to visit this impossibly idyllic island.


 3. Explore endless golden beaches and castaway islands.

India’s islands are easily on a par with better-known island destinations such as the Maldives and Mauritius. There are swathes of golden and white sand beaches to explore, plus numerous untouched coral reefs and remote atolls.

Bangaram Atoll is entirely surrounded by coral reefs and the continuous nature of the reef makes it one of the most interesting places to snorkel at Lakshadweep. As well as gorgeous corals, Bangaram hosts Princess Royal, a famous 200-year-old shipwreck that attracts divers from around the world.

Sitting on the west coast of India by the Arabian Sea, Goa is known for its long beaches and lively nightlife. But if you step back from the bustling bars, you will find picturesque snorkeling sites and a destination rich in culture and history.

There are several snorkeling spots to choose from at Goa, with Grande Island being one of the most popular. The water can be cloudy around Goa but the shallow coral gardens, abundant fish life, and underwater shipwrecks make up for it.


4. Visit the chic ‘French Capital of India’.

Puducherry’s crystal-clear waters are enough to attract any keen snorkeler to explore this well-known French colonial settlement and the surrounding area.

Above water, Puducherry is a quaint destination with a French Quarter of bougainvillea-lined streets, colorful colonial villas, and sophisticated boutiques. You could easily while away a couple of days there.

Below water is equally as eye-catching, with a huge range of marine environments along Puducherry’s vast coastline. There are unexplored coral reefs and shipwrecks, plus famous dive sites that also offer great snorkeling.

Aravind Wall at Puducherry is a popular snorkeling spot that is renowned for its diverse marine life. As well as numerous vibrant reef fish, there are lionfish, eels, rays, parrotfish, and crustaceans. If you visit during February or March, you might even see a passing whale shark.


5. See the second tallest Shiva statue in the world.

Netrani Island (Pigeon Island) is one of India’s best-known snorkeling spots and sits off the famous temple town of Murdeshwar. Shaped like a heart, it is also known as ‘the heart of India’s diving’ and offers world-class snorkeling with excellent conditions.

There are rarely any currents at Netrani, making it an ideal destination for snorkelers who like easy conditions or want to earn their Open Water Diver certification.

Start your days by exploring Netrani’s diverse coral landscapes then visit the fascinating Murdeshwar temple, which hosts the second largest Shiva statue in the world. At 123 feet (37 meters) tall, the statue is an impressive sight.


When is the best time to go snorkeling in India?

The best time to go snorkeling in India depends on which area of India you are visiting:

  • Andaman Islands: November to April.
  • Lakshadweep: October to May.
  • Goa: October to May.
  • Puducherry: February to April, September to November.
  • Netrani Island: October to May.

Kathryn Curzon, a shark conservationist and dive travel writer for SSI (Scuba Schools International), wrote this article.

Scuba Schools International (SSI) is the largest professional business-based training agency in the world. For over 50 years now, SSI has provided the ultimate training experience for millions of certified divers, not only in Recreational Scuba, but in every training category; Freediving, Extended Range, Rebreather Diving, Mermaid, Swim and Lifeguard.

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The Suit Ocean Team leads the Ultimate Curacao Snorkeling Adventure

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By Bryan Horne
Snorkeling and scuba diving in Curacao is a dream for anyone who loves the combination of amazing beaches and the mind blowing biodiversity that exists along 104 square kilometers of its fringing coral reefs. So if you are interested in the ultimate Caribbean snorkeling adventure then keep reading as The Suit Ocean Team takes you on a one hundred kilometer snorkeling tour of Curacao’s southern shoreline.

As passionate residents of our Dutch Caribbean Island, we must congratulate The Suit Ocean Team for creating more awareness about the importance of protecting our beautiful fringing reef systems in Curacao.

The film, Curacao Underwater Kunuku (Kunuku is Papiamento for Garden), not only documents this ultimate snorkeling adventure showing you how easy it is for everyone to access and enjoy a snorkel or diving experience, but it also showcases the interaction between man and nature, highlighting the beauty of underwater life while promoting conservation, preservation and the need to protect these vital habitats.

These are the key ingredients to this beautiful short film documentary. Watch NOW and please enjoy our “CURACAO UNDERWATER KUNUKU”.

This film, produced by the Lawrence Mensa Foundation (LMF), is also available in multiple languages including: Spanish, Papiamentu, Dutch, Portuguese and German.

Images courtesy of The Suit Ocean Team
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Top 12 Snorkeling Destinations in Oceania – Part II

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Oceania has a fascinating mixture of well-known romantic destinations and wild, remote islands that few people ever get to visit. It is a region of contrasts with enough snorkeling destinations and cultural highlights to satisfy even the most adventurous snorkelers. In part II of 12 great places to go snorkeling in Oceania, we take a deep dive into some of this region’s most famous and little-known islands. Get inspired for your next snorkeling trip here.

French Polynesia

French Polynesia has some of the world’s most famous destinations in Oceania, including Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora. Between them, they offer snorkeling among colorful reefs in warm, calm lagoons and the chance to meet a variety of marine life.

Go snorkeling with friendly stingrays and blacktip reef sharks at Moorea Lagoon or swim with humpback whales a little further offshore. Snorkeling and diving in Bora Bora are high on the wish list for many people and don’t disappoint, with pretty coral gardens and dozens of snorkeling spots in warm, azure waters.

At the nearby Tuamotu Archipelago, you can experience the thrill of drift snorkeling through Tiputa Pass and meet the pelagic fish, dolphins and sharks this pass is famous for. At Tikehau, a small atoll near Rangiroa, you can swim with graceful mantas at a shallow cleaning station.

The Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are a haven for more than 1000 reef fish species and numerous prized critters, plus dolphins, sharks, rays and six species of sea turtle. Hosting hundreds of wrecks and remote hard coral reefs, there is something for every snorkeler there.

Most snorkeling is conducted at resort house reefs of by boat tours to nearby islands and reefs. At Mary Island, you can go open-ocean snorkeling among dramatic coral-covered landscapes, home to sharks and large schools of fish.

The awe-inspiring Marovo Lagoon is the largest saltwater lagoon in the world and is made up of a chain of coral reefs and islands that are absolutely stunning. This popular tourist spot hosts some of the best coral gardens in the South Pacific, with deep and shallow snorkeling sites and remarkably clear waters.

To experience snorkeling over wrecks, make sure you visit the Florida Islands. The Solomon Islands have hundreds of WWII ships and aircraft, with many shallow ones that snorkelers can explore.

The Cook Islands

When it comes to warm welcomes, it’s hard to beat the Cook Islands. From the moment you arrive, you will be drawn into one of the friendliest nations in the world and won’t want to leave.

This wonderful country, with its warm, calm waters and excellent facilities, is the perfect place to teach your kids how to snorkel and maybe even get your Open Water Diver certification. Rarotonga is the main destination for tourism and is a charming island with fresh markets, cafes, restaurants, and resorts tucked away among the palms.

There are plenty of snorkeling spots off the beaches, with coral bommies, diverse tropical fish, giant clams, and occasional sea turtles. Muri Lagoon is one of the most popular places for snorkeling, as is the Fruits of Rarotonga Marine Reserve. This well-known reserve is absolutely teeming with fish.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a wish-list destination known for its spectacular scuba diving, crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life. Unlike some remote destinations in Oceania, New Caledonia has modern infrastructure that makes it easy to explore at your pace – by car or island hopping with regular domestic flights.

There are several snorkeling trails at New Caledonia, built to allow you to meet the diverse array of marine life that calls the New Caledonia Lagoon home. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains coral-encrusted walls, channels, and easy snorkeling trails busy with marine life. Simply follow the underwater trails and enjoy!

With dozens of islands to choose from, there are numerous other snorkeling options around New Caledonia. The extensive marine reserves ensure the waters are teeming with life, including mantas, dugongs, dolphins, stingrays, sea turtles, and an array of corals. With few people in the water and great conditions year-round, it is one of the best places to go snorkeling in Oceania.

Vanuatu

Nearby Vanuatu is the perfect place to reconnect with nature, offering untouched rainforests, natural swimming holes, and excellent snorkeling.

Pristine reefs abound in Vanuatu, with many accessible simply by walking off the beach. The amount of marine life in Vanuatu is impressive and similar to New Caledonia, though the landscapes are quite different.

Tanna Island has breath-taking snorkeling among deep blue rock pools and coral gardens. At Lemnap, you can snorkel in the sun-dappled waters of a huge grotto. There is excellent snorkeling with sea turtles at Tranquility Island and you can go snorkeling in jaw-dropping inland blue holes at various islands.

Million Dollar Point is one of the most unique snorkeling destinations and hosts an array of machinery and equipment dumped by the US after World War II. Boasting wrecks in 15 to 25 meters of water off the beach, you can simply grab you snorkeling kit and explore.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with more than 850 known languages and hundreds of different tribes. It is unlike anywhere else in Oceania.

Along with the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea has some of the healthiest coral reefs in the world, including at Kimbe Bay. This special bay was once ranked as the most beautiful reef by National Geographic and is an exceptional place to go snorkeling, with huge corals and large reef fish.

Milne Bay has great conditions for snorkelers, with gorgeous beaches and sands full of bizarre-looking critters and plenty of fish life. New Ireland Province boasts snorkeling among war wrecks, big fish, thriving reefs and sharks, whilst East New Britain has a spectacular drop-off at Tavui Point.

Some of the best snorkeling sites are at Tufi. These fjords are covered in lush rainforest and have crystal-clear waters. There are beautiful corals, countless fish and sea turtles, plus Birds of Paradise in the surrounding forests.


Kathryn Curzon, a shark conservationist and dive travel writer for SSI (Scuba Schools International), wrote this article.

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