Snorkel Spots in Asia – Top 3

manta ray on the surface

I have been very lucky to explore a huge variety of snorkel spots in asia – ranging from sparkling reef systems of all colors of the rainbow, to mangroves and drop offs into the deep blue. Snorkeling in Asia has so many remarkable options it is a real challenge knowing where to go and making sure you get the most out of your holiday abroad, so I have decided to list my top three favorite destinations to help you make the right decision on where to go next with Snorkel Venture:

Snorkel Venture guest group photo

  1. Komodo – Indonesia

In a tiny corner of east Indonesia, cutting through the glassy waters of the Flores Sea the Komodo resorts is a hidden island gem, a well-kept secret that offers some of the best quality snorkel spots in asia. Everything can be found here – Manta Rays, reef sharks, schooling pelagics and weird and wonderful critters.

Split shot of Komodo reef and Komodo island

The local islands are curious and home to the legendary Komodo Dragon. The Komodo Resort is a sensational place to relax and drink a cold beer after a day in the water.

Our 9-day group snorkeling tour takes in the absolute best of what the Komodo Resort has to offer.

2.Wakatobi – Indonesia

Wakatobi is slap bang in the middle of the coral triangle – an area famed for having some of the highest numbers of coral and fish species found anywhere else on the planet. Wakatobi is located on Sulawesi, an island in Indonesia’s tropical north and is an easy one-hour charter flight from Jakarta, the capital of the country.

aerial view of wakatobi resort

The countless number of snorkeling sites is mouthwatering; you are able to flexibly explore and snorkel all day (and even at night) until your heart is content. Combining the experience with the comfort and luxuries of an outstanding resort makes this combination an absolute must if you have not been here before.

Join us on our 9-day group snorkeling tour to Wakatobi in November 2019 for one of the best snorkel spots in asia.

  1. Vava’u – Tonga

Tonga is one of the friendliest places I have ever visited – greeted by beaming smiles and a warmth I haven’t experience anywhere else. Pigs and chickens roam the streets, palm trees line white sand beaches and the low key villages give it a real Robinson Crusoe-esque feeling.

two humpback whales floating over reef

The waters surrounding these tranquil isles is home to humpback whales which come into the shallow lagoons to calve at certain times of the year. Coinciding your trip to do a whale swim is an unforgettable experience and definitely ranks as something to do before you die.

Our 15-day snorkeling tour to Tonga and Fiji is a perfect way to explore this part of the world and to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with humpback whales.

Snorkeling Tonga

humpback whale breaching
Tonga is a small Polynesian kingdom comprising of over 170 islands, situated in the South Pacific. Many of these islands remain uninhabited and covered in virgin rainforest, surrounded by white sandy beaches and coral reefs.
The Kingdom of Tonga is internationally known for two main reasons- their rugby team and the migration of humpback whales which come annually to birth their young and court new mates from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic.
Humpback whale in clear blue water
The island where one generally goes to swim with humpback whales is Vana’u. Typically charters offer a day out at sea, but the law requires no more than 4 swimmers and one certified whale guide in the water at a time, to ensure responsible interactions with the cow and baby pairs. One can usually observe a variety of whale behaviors, from mother and calf interactions to the sometimes combative behavior of mature bulls. Humpback whales are the most acrobatic whale species, and will often perform spectacular displays of breaching, lob-tailing, fin-slapping and general water-splashing behavior.
two humpback whales floating over reef
The sheltered waters of Vava’u offer a variety of snorkeling opportunities. The reefs around the area are also beautiful and largely untouched, in excellent condition, providing homes for many various fish, turtles and invertebrate species. We like to stay at Tongan Beach Resort, a small seafront simple yet comfortable resort.

Snorkeling Sulawesi – Snorkeling Indonesia

Sulawesi is a large and varied island in the north of Indonesia. The international airport in Manado makes this island accessible and relatively developed.

Snorkeling Sulawesi offers spectacular healthy reefs, abundant with turtles, schooling fish, soft corals of various colors and species and generally clear calm waters.

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Sulawesi offers opportunities to explore and combine stunning highland jungle treks, volcanic crater lake visits and incredible wildlife viewing, with interesting cultural interactions and stunning offshore islands.

These islands are the real snorkeler’s paradise. Stunning white sand beaches surrounding the small green islands provide incredible views, while the waters are full of various tropical fish species and healthy corals.

To the North, Bunaken National Park offers some of the healthiest reefs in Indonesia. Known for its abundance of soft corals, snorkeling Bunaken should be on every snorkelers bucket list. This area also has a large resident turtle population and one can reasonably expect to see these animals almost every time one enters the water.

This is considered some of the best Snorkeling in Indonesia.

The islands of Siladen, Gangga, Manado Tua and Bangka provide secluded bays perfect for snorkeling and enjoying a quite lunch or surface break.

Black crested macaque monkey

We love a few of the island resorts in this area, including Siladen Island Resort and Gangga Island Resort. We try to always include a few days in the Minhasa highlands of Sulawesi where there is a lot to explore, like Tangkoko National Park, Linow Lake (a colourful sulphuric lake which is quite a spectacle) and Mount Mahawu, a dormant volcano offering s lovely walk and stunning views from the crater rim.