The Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
Raja Ampat: Home to 75% of all known coral species.
At the top of the list is Raja Ampat, or Four Kings, located in Indonesia's West Papua province.
Experts say it's hard to find anywhere else in the world that compares, given it's got the world's greatest concentration of marine life for a region of its size and 75% of all known coral species in the world.
A marine oasis with more than 1,000 different species of fish, sea turtles, sharks and manta rays, snorkeling here means largely having the place to yourself as the isolated islands are scarce of people.
Snorkelers come face to face with fish and coral in every direction while swimming the waters of this archipelago, which is made up of 50,000 square kilometers of islands and water.
"Each day you get to experience something different," says marine biologist and snorkeling guide Lee Goldman of Coral Triangle Adventures.
Snorkelers come face to face with fish and coral in every direction while swimming the waters of this archipelago, which is made up of 50,000 square kilometers of islands and water.
"Each day you get to experience something different," says marine biologist and snorkeling guide Lee Goldman of Coral Triangle Adventures.
The Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)
Unlike most spots on this list, snorkeling in Ecuador'sGalapagos Islands doesn't revolve around colorful coral and tropical fish.
This is the place to see big marine life -- we're talking sea lions, sharks, dolphins, turtles and even penguins.
Being the basis of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution, the Galapagos Islands offer snorkelers fascinating and unique mammals both on land and beneath the sea.
The islands' remote location means that underwater wildlife are friendly and approachable -- mainly because they don't encounter humans all that often.
"There's a good chance you'll be approached by a playful sea lion or a group of turtles that will happily swim alongside you," says Jim Sano, vice president of travel, tourism and conservation with World Wide Fund for Nature.
This is the place to see big marine life -- we're talking sea lions, sharks, dolphins, turtles and even penguins.
Being the basis of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution, the Galapagos Islands offer snorkelers fascinating and unique mammals both on land and beneath the sea.
The islands' remote location means that underwater wildlife are friendly and approachable -- mainly because they don't encounter humans all that often.
"There's a good chance you'll be approached by a playful sea lion or a group of turtles that will happily swim alongside you," says Jim Sano, vice president of travel, tourism and conservation with World Wide Fund for Nature.
Palau (Micronesia)
Snorkelers love hovering above a "blue hole" in a Palau reef.
Ever want to swim with jellyfish without having to worry about getting a nasty sting by one of them?
Palau's Jellyfish Lake is the place to go.
A boat ride and short hike will take you to this unusual and isolated lake, inhabited by millions of harmless jellyfish.
But it's more than jellies that make this Micronesia island a top snorkeling destination.
Palau's shallow and healthy reefs are home to a diverse range of habitat.
Visitors can encounter marine life such as turtles, tropical fish, manta rays and sharks.
Palau's Jellyfish Lake is the place to go.
A boat ride and short hike will take you to this unusual and isolated lake, inhabited by millions of harmless jellyfish.
But it's more than jellies that make this Micronesia island a top snorkeling destination.
Palau's shallow and healthy reefs are home to a diverse range of habitat.
Visitors can encounter marine life such as turtles, tropical fish, manta rays and sharks.
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