The Art of the Shoreline Snorkel
(and when to just get on the boat) 🏖️➡️🌊
For some people, the most exciting part of a tropical escape isn’t the sun lounger or the cocktail with the little paper umbrella. You see, there’s a certain breed of traveller who gets a kick out of shoving their face into the salty abyss, all in the name of spotting a few fish.
Personally, I prefer my exotic marine life on a plate, but to each their own, I suppose.
The ideal situation for these aquatic enthusiasts is an easy-access spot, a place where one can simply meander from beach to ocean, no boat hire or organised tour required. However, as is so often the case, the best stuff is always a bit out of reach.
Still, if you’re determined to get wet, here’s a collection of our preferred spots for an easy paddle, all of which promise a glimpse into the underwater world, even if it’s not exactly the Great Barrier Reef.
So, strap on your fins and prepare for some aquatic escapism, or at least a brief encounter with a fish or two.
Karimunjawa Snorkeling Excursions, Indonesia
They tell you the Karimunjawa archipelago is a “snorkeler’s haven,” a place where “pristine turquoise waters” and “vibrant marine life” await anyone brave enough to go for a swim.
We’d heard the stories, of course, about this seemingly untouched paradise tucked away in Indonesia, and decided we ought to see if the reality lived up to the hype.
We were told to prepare to be “awe-inspired,” and while that seemed like a rather tall order, we grabbed a mask, a snorkel and a healthy dose of optimism, ready to see for ourselves if the coral reefs and colourful fish were as breathtaking as their reputation suggested.
Snorkeling at Alona Beach 🥽 Philippines 🐠
Alona Beach. The very name sounds like a tropical dream. Located on Panglao island, this little slice of heaven in the Philippines comes with all the expected bits: powdery white sand, ludicrously blue water, and enough lush greenery to make a proper go of it.
Turns out, beyond the postcard-perfect vibes, Alona also boasts some seriously impressive underwater real estate. We’re talking crystal-clear turquoise waters teeming with vibrant marine life 🐠 and intricate coral formations—my kind of treasure hunt, really.
So, after three perfectly idle days doing not much at all in Pangangan (Bohol), we decided it was time to brave the bustling shores of Panglao to see if the beach’s underwater game was as good as they say.
Lembongan Snorkeling Tours 🥽 Hunting Manta Rays
We’ve all seen the glossy, sun-drenched Instagram shots of people gliding effortlessly through sapphire water, a gigantic, majestic manta ray a mere arm’s length away. We tell ourselves that this could be us, that for a few $$s, we too can achieve this level of serene, aquatic Zen.
What we fail to factor in is the universe’s dry, relentless sense of humour, which has a habit of turning picturesque dreams into a slightly damp, slightly anticlimactic anecdote. And so it was with our expedition to Lembongan, an Indonesian speck of land that, on paper, promised an underwater Eden.
Maldives Under the Reef 🐠 The Real Paradise
We’re told the Maldives is a slice of paradise, a place where the sun always shines and your biggest worry is which shade of turquoise to photograph first. But the real paradise, the one with character and a bit of a chaotic spirit, isn’t above the water—it’s down below.
We spent 3 days exploring the vibrant coral reefs that make the Maldives a top destination for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Our island, Makunudu, was a postage stamp of a place, but its real estate wasn’t the sandy stretch; it was the sprawling underwater metropolis surrounding it, just a fin-kick away.
Forget the sun lounger; our new office was the house reef.
Bocas Del Toro Snorkeling Tours, Panama
So, we went to Bocas del Toro, Panama to see for ourselves if the underwater world lived up to the hype.
As it’s essentially a collection of islands, you’ll inevitably find yourself on a boat at some point, jumping in with your snorkel 🤿 to explore. We’d been told to expect “stunning coral reefs” and the simple beauty of a Caribbean paradise, and while it might not be the pristine wonderland of the postcards, it’s a perfectly good place to go see a few fish 🐠.
Exploring the Depths 🥽 A Dive into Sea Scooters
We’re all meant to be passionate about sustainable travel these days. It is what all the cool kids are doing, after all. So, when we heard about these things called sea scooters, or more formally, diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs), our eyebrows raised just a little.
The promise was that these underwater contraptions would allow us to glide effortlessly through the depths, exploring marine wonders without all the tiresome kicking.
This article is about how these rather strange-looking aquatic companions 🤖 can enhance an underwater adventure, and whether they really do help you connect with nature, or simply make you feel like a particularly well-equipped robot.
Snorkeling in Moalboal Cebu 🐢 Philippines
Everywhere in the Philippines seems to be known for its “clear waters” and “stunning coral reefs,” but Moalboal, Cebu, at least, has something a bit more interesting going on. We’d heard whispers about the place’s resident turtles 🐢 and decided to go have a look.
So, we put on our snorkels 🤿 and paddled out, half-expecting to see nothing more than a few bored-looking fish. As it turns out, the rumours were true. The sheer number of fish was quite something, and we did, in fact, manage to spot a very calm, very large turtle just going about its day.
I suppose you could say it was a highlight of the trip… if you’re into that sort of thing.
Karimunjawa 🥽 Snorkeling from the Beach
If snorkeling is your thing, and you find yourself on Karimunjawa, I have a bit of a reality check for you. Your best bet is to just cave in and book a full-day snorkeling tour. Yes, a proper organised tour, complete with that bunch of Italians and a slightly over-enthusiastic guide.
If you’re short on time, or simply can’t face the tour group dynamic, you can paddle out from the beach. Just be aware that your underwater expectations should be… minimal? 🤔. You might see a fish or two, but it isn’t exactly going to be a cinematic experience.
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