Best Caribbean Snorkeling Destinations – 10 Must See Snorkel Spots!

Snorkeling is undoubtedly one of the most exciting water sports ones can engage in during a holiday. And the snorkeling experience in the Caribbean just never gets better. To make the most out of your holiday this season, it can be great to plan a trip to one of the best Caribbean snorkeling destinations. It can be even more fun if you’re visiting the Caribbean for the first time.

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About The Caribbean

The Caribbean is known world over as the best holiday destination because of its stunningly beautiful islands and charming surrounding coasts. Apart from enjoying classic beachside activities like swimming and sunbathing, the Caribbean offers visitors numerous opportunities to explore the abundant marine life that’s unique to this area.

Here, the waters are usually warm, with temperatures of about 75 degrees in winter and 85 degrees in summer. Visibility is also excellent in this region. Snorkelers can enjoy inshore visibility of about 50 ft and offshore visibility of between 100 ft and 200 ft.

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The Caribbean Sea’s Warm and Crystal Clear

waters create an ideal environment for marine life to thrive. Some of the corals you can expect to find in this region include grooved brain corals, elk horns, great star corals, mustard hill corals, massive starlet corals, and more.

The Caribbean Sea is also rich in colorful tropical fish such as triggerfish, nurse sharks, dolphins, manta rays, and groupers, among others. Whales and whale sharks also do migrate to the Caribbean seasonally. All these guarantee a fun-filled snorkeling experience for anyone visiting the region.

Here are some of the amazing spots in the Caribbean that you can snorkel in at any time of the year:

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1. Bimini

Bimini is one of the most mysterious yet exciting snorkeling spots to visit in the Caribbean. Part of the underwater world here is believed to be proof of the lost Atlantis city. Bimini is found where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Gulf Stream.

There are plenty of marine life and fish species that you can explore in this part of the Caribbean. Some of the notable snorkeling sites in Bimini include Sapona Wreck (a half-submerged shipwreck site), Atlantis Road, Turtle Rocks, and Paradise Point. It’s not uncommon to spot schools of reef fish, nurse sharks, and sea turtles in the Bimini Islands.

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2. Bonaire

Snorkeling is one of the prime activities people engage in while on a visit to Bonaire. A larger part of the waters here are under the Bonaire National Marine Park, which means you’ll be required to pay for a snorkel tag before gaining access.

Nonetheless, the snorkeling experience in Bonaire never disappoints. While underwater, you can encounter up-close such marine fish as barracuda, parrot fish, angel fish, eels, eagle rays, and more.

There are also scores of sea turtles, octopuses, squids, lobsters, and other sea creatures that can be magnificent to explore.

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3. Grand Cayman

Snorkeling in Grand Cayman can be rewarding with spectacular sights of tropical fish and corals only unique to the Caribbean. With a visibility of up to 50 feet and more, there is much you can enjoy in the waters of Grand Cayman.

While underwater, you can be delighted with sights of eagle rays, yellow snapper, and blue tangs, as well as colorful corals like brain, Elkhorn, and star corals. Some of the intriguing snorkeling sites in Grand Cayman include West Bay Turtle Farm, Wreck of the Gamma, Cheese Burger Reef, Eden Rock, Wreck of MV Cali, Smith Barcadere, Queens Monument, Smith Cove, and more.

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4. Belize

Belize is home to the second-longest barrier in the world that stretches a staggering 192 miles. The waters along the reef are turquoise and play host to a range of marine sea life and colorful corals. Some of the marine fishes that can be spotted here include nurse sharks, rays, moray eels, stingrays, and more.

Snorkeling in Belize at night can allow you to experience the magnificence of the underwater world tanks to the glowing green moray eels, bioluminescence, and parrot fish.

If you are truly crazy about snorkeling in Belize, then you can head to such sites as Ambergris Caye, Caulker Caye, Turneffe Island, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Glover’s Reef Atoll, and/or Gladden Spit.

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5. Dominica

Dominica features in the list of top ten countries that offer the best snorkeling experiences. This island country is endowed with crystal-clear waters, abundant marine life, and spectacular corals. Here, visitors can enjoy visibility of up to 100 feet.

Apart from the beautiful hard and soft corals available underwater, snorkelers can witness a range of creatures, such as sea urchins, sea anemones, sea horses, yellow sponges, lobsters, and schools of amazing tropical fish.

Planning to visit Dominica this season for snorkeling? Then be sure to check out sites like Champagne Reef, Coral Gardens South, Douglas Bay, Pointe Guignard, and/or Soufriere Scotts Head Marine Reserve.

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6. St. Lucia

St. Lucia is arguably one of the best shallow-water snorkeling among the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. There are a number of spots around the island that boast beautiful reefs and tons of fish that can be great to explore. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned snorkeler, you can always enjoy the snorkeling experience here.

While underwater, you can spot a range of sea creatures, including eels, barracuda, rays, and turtles. There are plenty of hard and soft corals, with the elkhorn coral being the most dominant.

If you love underwater topography, then you will be delighted with the big boulders, walls, and caves in St. Lucia. Some of the great snorkeling spots to consider visiting while on this island include Anse Chastanet, Jalousie, Reduit Beach, and L’Anse la Raye.

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7. Grenada

Grenada is a Caribbean island that cannot be ignored by holidaymakers and snorkelers alike. It boasts huge coral reef systems, shipwrecks, and art museums that make the underwater world here quite spectacular.

You would probably want to visit the island this season to witness all that firsthand. Popular snorkeling sites in this part of the Caribbean include Flamingo Bay, Lavera Beach, La Sagesse Beach, and Grand Anse.

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8. Turks and Caicos

The warm, turquoise waters and the abundant marine life of Turks and Caicos Islands can be inviting to any snorkeler.

The underwater world is decorated with an array of fish and creatures like tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, rays, and humpback whales, which can be spotted occasionally.

For a fun-filled snorkeling experience, you can visit such spots as Old Pier, Northwest Point Nationa Park, Fort George Cut, Long Beach, and Bright Beach.

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9. Exuma

With more than 360 islands and cays, Exuma offers unlimited snorkeling opportunities for anyone who’s in love with the underwater world. This popular district of the Bahamas boasts crystal-clear waters, nuggets of corals, and plenty of tropical fish.

The Islands of Exuma offer excellent visibility of up to 100 feet and more. Notable snorkeling sites in this area include Three Sisters, Harbor Buoy Starboard, Bird Cay, and more.

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10. Virgin Gorda

The wonders of Virgin Gorda never cease. On this virgin island, there are several beaches that are blessed with a significant amount of corals, schools of fish, and an array of unique sea creatures.

The Baths Snorkeling is by far the most popular snorkeling site in the British Virgin Islands. However, there are other great snorkeling spots like Savannah Bay, Mahoe Bay, Prickly Pear National Park, and Valley Trunk Bay that you can explore.

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Tips on Snorkeling In the Caribbean

Before venturing into the waters, it’s important to understand that snorkeling can be dangerous. Hence you should follow all the standard safety measures to the latter.

1. Never snorkel alone, never touch any marine life, stay close to the shore, be aware of boat traffic, and always use a floatation vest where necessary.

2. For even extra safety, always practice snorkeling above water or in shallow waters to be sure you are comfortable venturing deeper.

3. Also, remember to use a defog solution when going snorkeling so as to
prevent your mask from fogging.

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What to Bring For Snorkeling In the Caribbean

If you’re a seasoned snorkeler, then you know what to carry. But if you happen to be a first-time snorkeler, there are a couple of things you need to include in your backpack. Some of the major items you need to carry on your Caribbean snorkeling trip include:

• snorkel, mask, fins,
• mask defogger
• diving gloves
• biodegradable sunscreen
• swimsuit and swim towel.
• You might also need to come with an underwater camera just to document your snorkeling adventures.

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In Conclusion

A snorkeling excursion on the major islands of the Caribbean can no doubt guarantee you a fun-filled holiday experience. With turquoise waters, abundant marine life, and stunning topography, the Caribbean can be an ideal place to take your next snorkeling tour. Aside from snorkeling, you’ll get to mingle with the locals, taste Caribbean foods and even enjoy the splendid nightlife in the coastal villages.

Want More Snorkeling Spots? 

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What about you? Do you know some other beautiful snorkeling spots in the Caribbean? If so, you are welcome to share them in the comments below.