Our Top 10 most beautiful beaches for snorkeling

Beach lover and snorkeling fanatic? Here are our 10 favorite locations where you can spend the day on a beautiful beach, and have a top-quality snorkeling session from the shore. Check it out!

1. HANAUMA BAY, HAWAII

Hanauma Bay, Hawaii
Hanauma Bay, Oahu. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Hanauma Bay, nestled in an ancient volcano crater, offers one of the finest landscapes in Hawaii. Its sandy beach gives access to great snorkeling, including colorful reef fish and green sea turtles, in good safety conditions.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐⭐

2. WEST BAY, ROATÁN

West Bay, Roatan
West Bay beach, Roatán. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

A white sandy beach, palm trees, and colorful boats on a crystal sea – West Bay is an enchantment. But the show is even more spectacular underwater: multi-colored coral cascading in the blue, parrotfish, shoals of blue tang, and several species of angelfish, all with exceptional visibility. West Bay is a must for snorkeling in Roatán, and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

3. ANSE LAZIO, SEYCHELLES

Anse Lazio, Seychelles
Anse Lazio, Praslin. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Anse Lazio is frequently listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world and is one of the sites you shouldn’t miss in Seychelles. Fringed with palm trees, with a fine carpet of white sand, crystal-clear water of a dazzling blue – the attraction is immediate. At either end of the beach, the granite rocks are home to colorful fish and critters.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐

4. RAS UM SID, EGYPT

Ras Um Sid, Egypt
Ras Um Sid, Egypt. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Ras Um Sid is, without doubt, the finest coastal landscape of the Red Sea Riviera. Its shallow coastal lagoon, with translucent waters sheltered by a coral reef, is ideal for snorkeling. On the outer reef, you’ll spot clownfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and shoals of sea goldie living above an exceptional coral wall.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. PAIN DE SUCRE BEACH, GUADELOUPE

Pain de Sucre Beach, Guadeloupe
Pain de Sucre Beach, Guadeloupe. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

This tiny beach, situated in Les Saintes, has a taste of paradise. In the shadow of the Pain de Sucre (Sugarloaf), its golden sand and palm trees bathe in translucent waters that are ideal for a snorkeling session.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐⭐

6. JEMELUK BEACH, BALI

Jemeluk Beach, Bali
View of Jemeluk Beach and its coral reef. – picture shared by Mahli974

The view over Jemeluk’s tiny bay with Mount Agung in the background is an iconic image of Bali. This place is located at the heart of Amed, a segment of the Island’s east coast renowned for its authenticity and quietness. Jemeluk Bay also shelters one of the best snorkeling spots in the area: here, the reef drop-off is home to gorgeous coral and fish, and can be accessed directly from the beach.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐⭐

7. ANAKENA BEACH, EASTER ISLAND

Anakena Beach, Easter Island
The 7 moai of Ahu Nau Nau, in Anakena Beach. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

With its white-coral sand beach, its coconut grove, and its moai, legendary Anakena is also Rapa Nui’s only real snorkeling spot. In the shallow bay, where visibility can exceed 120ft, you’ll spot unique sea life, including several endemic species such as the Easter Island butterflyfish.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐⭐

8. CALANQUE DE SORMIOU, SOUTH FRANCE

Calanque de Sormiou
Calanque de Sormiou, South France.

Calanque de Sormiou is for many people the most beautiful calanque near Marseille. Its shades of blue, the fishermen’s houses and pine trees on the cliffs all charm thousands of visitors each year. Underwater, you can explore one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots of Calanques National Park. In the bay, many fish swim between the seagrass, the rocks and the white sandy beds.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐

9. LAS BACHAS BEACH, GALÁPAGOS

Las Bachas Beach, Galapagos
Las Bachas, on Santa Cruz island. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Between the white sand, the black rocks, the turquoise water, and the pink flamingos, Las Bachas Beach offers strikingly colorful and contrasting landscapes. The shallow seabed close to the beach allows pleasant snorkeling. Common sightings include Galápagos green sea turtles, rays, parrotfish, and even whitetip reef sharks.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐⭐

10. NGOUJA BEACH, MAYOTTE

N'Gouja, Mayotte
N’Gouja Beach, Mayotte. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Golden sand, lush vegetation, baobabs hanging over a turquoise bay… N’Gouja Bay, located on the south side of Mayotte, hosts probably the most beautiful beach on the island. N’Gouja is known as an exceptional site for green sea turtles watching, which come daily to feed on the shallow seagrass beds.

Snorkeling Report’s advice: Beach ⭐⭐⭐ – Snorkeling ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This top10 has been selected only from the +380 locations already on our map. If you know a snorkeling spot that is not yet on the map, send us your report and it may be selected to appear on this page!