Palawan Islands, Philippines
The Palawan Islands are one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines and for good reason. The waters surrounding this spectacular nature reserve and heritage site are teeming with marine life, surrounded by a lush landscape of rainforests, mountains, karst cliffs, and hidden beaches. Go island hopping at Honda Bay and discover a majestic display of islets and reefs that are filled with various sea creatures that come in all colors and shapes, while Tubbataha Reef National Park is home to the more beautiful coral reefs in the world.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Offering some of the best snorkeling and diving in Southeast Asia, Phu Quoc in Vietnam is a tropical destination that is home to a collection of small islands. Its vibrant ecosystem lure in water enthusiasts around the world with its shallow waters and vibrant marine life. Head to Nudibranch Garden for colorful creatures and 2,300 different types of nudibranchs, a unique type of mollusk. Other types of marine life you might observe on Phu Quoc is bamboo sharks, dugongs and cuttlefish.
Koh Rong, Cambodia
The crystal clear waters that surround Koh Rong in Cambodia make it a hotspot for snorkeling, where you’ll have up-close interactions with sergeant fish, seahorses, parrotfish, diamond fish and blue-spotted ribbontail rays. You can walk along with the rocky ocean areas or take a day trip to explore several points along Saracen Bay and Koh Koun just off Sanloem’s coast with one of the local snorkeling tours, as the island’s visibility makes it easy to spot a range of sea life.
Bunaken Islands, Indonesia
The Bunaken Islands in Indonesia is home to Bunaken Island National Marine Park, which includes five small islands that are considered hotspots for snorkeling enthusiasts. Its gorgeous coral formations are alive with hundreds of fish species teeming with marine life. There is a one-mile long reef fringing the island’s southeastern shore, where you can don a mask and flippers and explore the multicolored forest of fish, from butterflyfish to trumpetfish, huge porcupine fish in addition to sea turtles. The angelfish is the most colorful species found here, a photogenic creature often seen around the reef flats.
Bohol, Philippines
The Bohol island offers a wide range of attractions such as historical sites, ancient churches and scenic natural sights besides those great diving sites for snorkeling. Teeming with marine life, highlights of snorkeling tours include rich corals, dolphins and sea turtles. As one of the most diverse marine places in the world, one can enjoy looking at different sea creatures in all colors and shapes. It is a world-class tourist destination with excellent nightlife and 5-star resorts.
Koh Nang Yuan, Thailand
Koh Nang Yuan is a group of three islands that boasts of pristine beaches and lagoons filled with blue waters. The waters are perfect for snorkeling in the sunshine, and the postcard-perfect landscapes make for an ideal location. Enjoy looking at anemones, butterflyfish, anemones, and shoals of parrotfish.