Tropical beaches are fine, but if you enjoy exploring the scenery below the waterline it’s fun to hire a mask and fins and go checkout the marine life. The ideal way to do this is directly from the beach. Often however you’ll find the best snorkeling is offshore – in which case you’ll need to hire a boat or join a tour. Here are some of our favourite easy-access snorkeling locations, most of which are accessible straight off the beach.
Easy-Access Snorkeling Locations

Karimunjawa Beaches
For many the attraction of the small tropical islands of Indonesia are the beaches. So what do the Karimunjawa island beaches have to offer?

Maldives All-Inclusive 🏝️
Escape the crowd to Makunudu, and take advantage of off-season accommodation rates

Moalboal Cebu Snorkeling
... you're unlucky if you don't see a turtle. Snorkeling in Moalboal was a highlight of our Philippines trip. The sheer drop-off to the depths on the reef edge is weirdly hypnotic.

Lembongan Snorkeling 🥽
If you're not keen on swimming out from the shore, take a full-day Lembongan island snorkeling tour: Checkout our map for details...

Easy-access Snorkeling
If you enjoy exploring the scenery below the waterline then checkout our favorite easy-access snorkeling locations, most of which are accessible straight off the beach.

Exploring with Sea Scooters
Sea scooters, also known as diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs) allow you to glide effortlessly through the depths, exploring marine wonders like never before

Snorkeling in Panama
The Zapatillas isles are about as exotic as your trip to Panama is going to get, but what else does a Bocas Del Toro snorkeling tour offer?

Karimunjawa Snorkeling
The highlight of any trip to these Indonesian islands has to be the snorkeling excursions: Turquoise waters, white sand and coral reefs...

Maldives: Under the Reef
Your 1st experience is likely to be the house reef. A treat in itself, just put on a mask & step into the shallows.
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Looking for more Inspiration? Take a look at some other highlights for the Free Independent Traveller:
F.I.T. Highlights