Our Top 10 best snorkeling spots to see clownfish

Clownfish, made popular by Disney/Pixar movie “Finding Nemo”, are one of the stars of the coral reef. Their bright colors, clumsy swim, and their ability to shelter among the tentacles of sea anemones make them one of the nicest fish to observe. Some thirty species, with specific distributions, populate the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Red Sea. Check out our 10 favorite snorkeling spots to see clownfish!

1. SILADEN ISLAND, INDONESIA

Spinecheek anemonefish in Siladen
The spinecheek anemonefish is one of the several clownfish species that can be seen in Siladen coastal waters. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Siladen Island, located north of Sulawesi and entirely fringed by coral reefs, offers fabulous drop-offs where almost 10 species of clownfish can easily be seen, in less than 6 feet of water. It includes the spinecheek anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus), the biggest clownfish species. Females of this species -on the left on the picture above- can grow up to 17 centimeters.

2. RAS UM SID, EGYPT

Clownfish selfie in Egypt
“Selfie” with a pair of Red Sea anemonefish in Ras Um Sid. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Many Red Sea clownfish (Amphiprion bicinctus) inhabit Ras Um Sid’s reef drop-off, in Sharm el-Sheikh. Some of them have settled in their sea anemones in less than 2 feet of water, and are always ready to have their photo taken!

Red Sea clownfish can be seen in many locations on the Red Sea coastline of Egypt, especially at Dahab’s Blue Hole and in Abu Dabbab, in Marsa Alam area.

3. WAKATOBI RESORT, INDONESIA

Ocellaris clownfish in Wakatobi
An ocellaris clownfish in Wakatobi Resort. – picture shared by NST56

With its reef flat covered with seagrass and its stunning reef drop-off full of coral, Wakatobi Resort’s house reef is a top snorkeling spot. Here, at the heart of Wakatobi National Park, you may spot up to a dozen anemonefish species.

4. EL NIDO, PHILIPPINES

Anemonfish in El Nido
Ocellaris clownfish in a magnificent sea anemone, Heteractis magnifica, noted at El Nido. – picture shared by JC Mara

With its stunning limestone formations rising majestically above the turquoise water, El Nido is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines. To visit and snorkel the area, you’ll have 4 standardized boat tours (A, B, C and D) to choose from, with different destinations. All these tours, and especially Tour C, allow snorkelers to encounter ocellaris clownfish, spinecheek anemonefish and Clark’s anemonefish.

5. SOUTH BEACH, JORDAN

Red Sea clownfish in Aqaba
A juvenile Red Sea clownfish in a bubble-tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) in South Beach. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Do you feel like swimming with dozens of clownfish, in a few meters of water and above a spectacular reef drop-off? Then head for South Beach, in Aqaba Marine Park, where Red Sea clownfish (Amphiprion bicinctus), endemic to the region, can be seen everywhere.

6. ORO BAY NATURAL POOL, NEW CALEDONIA

Tomato clownfish in Oro Bay
Fire clownfish, Amphiprion melanopus, in the Natural Pool. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Oro Bay Natural Pool, “carved” in the coral, is a small underwater paradise. Wear your mask and discover this open-air aquarium, where fire clownfish and Barrier Reef anemonefish are easy to spot.

7. OPAL REEF, AUSTRALIA

Clownfish at Opal Reef
Pink skunk clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion) at Opal Reef. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Located on the outer reef of the Great Barrier, Opal Reef boasts a spectacular underwater life. Snorkeling above the reef slopes, you may spot orange clownfish, pink skunk clownfish, Barrier Reef anemonefish and spinecheek anemonefish.

8. BAMBOO ISLAND, THAILAND

Ocellaris clownfish at Bamboo Island
A “family” of ocellaris clownfish in a Stichodactyla gigantea sea anemone, noted a few meters from Bamboo Island beach. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Bamboo Island, located approximately 3 miles off the northern tip of Koh Phi Phi, is home to the ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris). You will find them in the sea anemones that settled on the reef in the reef flat, some 6 to 9ft deep.

9. SOFITEL MOOREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Clownfish at Sofitel Moorea
Orangefin anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysopterus) at Sofitel Moorea. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Anemonefish at the foot of your overwater bungalow? Head to Sofitel Moorea! Floating in the lagoon’s crystal clear waters, you will discover a brightly colored sea life, including orangefin anemonefish. Found only a few meters from the beach and in less than 5ft of water.

10. FURUZAMAMI BEACH, JAPAN

Clark's clownfish
Clark’s anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) at Furuzamami’s reef. – picture by Guillaume from Snorkeling Report’s team

Snorkel the shallow, rocky waters off Furuzamami Beach on the east coast of Zamami, one of the Kerama Islands, and you’ll swear you’re in the clownfish paradise. Several species, which most commons are tomato clownfish, Clark’s anemonefish and pink skunk clownfish, inhabit the sea anemones found off this stunning beach.

Fascinated by anemonefish?
➡ Check out our anemonefish species online identification guide
➡ Discover our selection of fish ID books

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!