Choose Your Next Great Snorkeling Trip

Regardless of which of our snorkeling tours you choose, a few things are for certain: You’ll explore incredible underwater worlds, spending most of your time in the water—with two or three snorkeling outings a day—and your guide will be the most knowledgeable in the region.

Feeling overwhelmed with which tour is the best fit for you? Not to worry, we’ve broken it down to help you discover which itinerary will deliver your dream trip.

Palau Snorkeling Adventure

Jellyfish Lake was once connected to the ocean by an outlet that naturally became closed off from the sea. Losing all natural predators, the jellyfish population grew to an estimated 10 million. Don’t worry these don’t sting. © Jurgen Freund/WWF-Canon

Ideal for: Travelers looking to relax—guests are rooted in the same luxury seaside resort throughout the entire tour. You’ll visit different snorkeling spots by way of a private boat that provides pier-side service, picking you up right at the resort’s pier. If you feel the need to break away from the group, the beach resort provides direct access to prime snorkeling spots for you to explore on your own.

Why go: Palau offers some of the best snorkeling in the world, rock islands and turquoise waters worth a thousand postcards, and fascinating World War II history.

Don’t miss: A swim in Jellyfish Lake. Having no predators in the marine lake, the millions of jellyfish gradually lost their need to sting. As you float, the orb-like bodies harmlessly bounce against you—it’s a surreal experience to be sure.

Consider another trip if: You don’t like long flights. While all of our snorkeling tours require extensive air travel, the routing to Palau is typically the most arduous.

 Philippines Snorkeling Adventure

Snorkeler with sergeant major damselfish near Miniloc © Jurgen Freund/WWF-Canon

Ideal for: Those looking for more of a cultural component. While our other trips are in more remote regions, here you’ll encounter locals everywhere you go who are excited to share their love of the islands with you.

Why go: The Philippines reveal a wide variety of habitats, and its waters are located within the Coral Triangle, a place WWF works to protect because of its incredible marine biodiversity.

Don’t miss: The Bay of Donsol, known as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World.” While it can’t be guaranteed, visitors often have the opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants.

Consider another trip if: You’re looking to stay in one place. Our jam-packed itinerary takes you to multiple spots on the archipelago and includes five different hotels and two internal flights.

Komodo Snorkeling Adventure

A sharp-eyed predator and notorious scavenger, the ora (as it is called locally) is the largest lizard species in the world, growing to nearly 10 feet long and 150 pounds. © Michael Terrettaz/WWF-Canon

Ideal for: Those wanting to see large species—including manta rays, sharks and dolphins—along with the macro variety—like nudibranchs and amphipods.

Why go: Also located within the Coral Triangle, the waters of this UNESCO World Heritage reveal large, rich reefs. The trip is bookended with nights in the island paradise of Bali.

Don’t miss: The Komodo dragons, of course! You’ll only find the prehistoric-looking lizard species in this corner of the world.

Consider another trip if: You’re hoping to spot an abundance of terrestrial wildlife, too. The islands are surprisingly barren above the water’s surface.

 Raja Ampat Snorkeling Adventure

Mandarinfish in Raja Ampat, Indonesia © Robert Delfs

Ideal for: Avid snorkelers who are hard to impress.

Why go: This Indonesian archipelago has a staggeringly high concentration of marine life with some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs. What’s more, you’ll have the place largely to yourself, encountering few other people as you explore the isolated islands.

Don’t miss: While exploring the small island of Gam, we’ll snorkel, visit a local fishing village and hike in search of the bird of paradise.

Consider another trip if: You don’t think you’ll get your sea legs. While both our Raja Ampat and Komodo tours are ship-based, the Sea Safari 8 is a traditional wooden liveaboard and, though comfortable, offers less luxury compared with accommodations on our other snorkeling trips.

By Marsea Nelson, WWF guest blogger