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.