The Best South Pacific Snorkeling Destinations
South Pacific snorkeling is hard to beat with the myriad of beautiful islands, calm blue hued lagoons, the largest reef in the world, and the enormous variety of marine life.
The South Pacific has exciting snorkeling for people of all abilities and interests, and experienced snorkelers have found experiences in the South Pacific not found in other regions of the world.
Top South Pacific Snorkeling Destinations
Rurutu, Austral IslandsThe island of Rurutu, 90 minutes by plane from Tahiti, is known for snorkelers swimming with whales. It's the activity of choice if you want to experience whales up close. It's a snorkelers' big-animal dream that will leave you with a life time memory of an experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere else in the world. Each year as they migrate back to AntArctica, the humpbacks stop in Rurutu from July to October to give birth and feed their calves. The calm and shallow waters and lagoons of Rurutu provide a safe haven from the whales natural predators.
Stay at::
Vahine Island Resort
Tahaa Lagoon, French Polynesia
Located on a private island of 23 acres on the North of Tahaa,Vahine Island offers a unique experience in an idyllic place:Luxurious accommodation, delicious cuisine, large coconut grove on an impeccable lawn and white sandy beach… Guests find total peace and privacy in the middle of one of the most beautiful lagoon of French Polynesia.
Hanauma Bay, Oahu
This world-class snorkeling site is a protected marine life conservation area with ancient volcanic caldera and a curved bay providing snorkelers protection from the rough Pacific waves to form a sheltered shallow reef with abundant marine life. It's like swimming in an outdoor aquarium.
Stay at:
Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club
Kapolei, Oahu
On an island, nestled on a private beach, this Kapolei condo is near area attractions such as Ko Olina Marina, Ko Olina Golf Club, and Wet'n'Wild Hawaii. Fun for everyone Spend the day relaxing on Marriott's Ko'Olina Beach Club's private beach or at a marina before returning for a meal at one of the condo's 2 restaurants.
Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Heron Island, a world-class destination for snorkelers, is located 30 miles off the coast of Australia in the Great Barrier Reef and is reachable by helicopter or boat transfer from Gladstone. With shore access just steps away from your cottage you will experience an awesome variety of marine life. It also a great place to watch the birth and entry into the pacific of sea turtles from December to February.
Stay at:
Heron Island Resort
Heron Island, Queensland, Australia
Here you swim off the beach to an endless garden of coral. Activities include guided island and reef walks, semi-submersible cruises, bird watching and beach picnics, plus a Kids program. Voyages Heron Island is famous around the world for its scuba diving and snorkeling.
Fiji
The underwater visibility is excellent at over 30 meters (98 ft), with May through October being the best time to go snorkeling. Fiji is also known as the "Soft Coral Capital of the World," with three types of coral residing below sea level off these islands: fringing reefs, barrier reefs and atolls. In total, there are over 400 species of coral that can be found here.
Stay at::
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort
Vanua Levu, Fiji
Located on Fiji's second largest island, the resort is surrounded by mountains and reefs, at the edge of Savusavu Bay, a well-protected refuge. Coral and fish can be seen by going off the little pier on the property in or from a snorkeling boat that is provided for guests. A popular spot is the nearby Lighthouse Reef with a large drop off one one side and a shallow reef on the other.
This resort also offers night snorkeling with a marine biologist leading groups with flash lights off the pier.
Palau
The Rock Islands, the crown jewels of Micronesia and the reason why most travelers come to Palau. They are a group of limestone rounded, jungle-topped islands that appear to float above the surface of the water. The water is bath tub warm year round with plentiful marine life. With four times the number of coral species in Palau than in the Caribbean, this is a popular destination for divers and snorkellers who are come to experience a diverse technicolor paradise of majestic reefs, crystal caves, drop-offs, blue holes, and World War II wrecks. Many of the islands have caves with dripping stalactites, rock arches, and underground channels and soft, white-sand beaches that are ideal to relax on after a dive.
Stay at:
Palau Pacific Resort
Koror Island, Palau
Nestled in 64 acres of lush tropical gardens with the great Pacific Ocean caressing its pristine white sand beach. This luxury resort features 160 air-conditioned rooms decorated in an island motif including 60 Garden View Rooms 68 Ocean View Rooms 24 Ocean Front Rooms 4 Luxury Ocean Front Junior Suites and 4 Luxury Ocean Front Suites. All rooms offering amenities to meet the expectations of discriminating travelers. Taken is our private beach where you can enjoy a variety of water sports or just indulge your body in some sun worshipping
Moorea, Society Islands, French Polynesia
Tahiti is well known for it's great snorkeling and beautiful hues of blue lagoons. There are many reasons for snorkelers come to Moorea and one of the top attractions is Stingray World. The site is on a sand bank off Moorea in just three feet of water, where you will come face to face with swarms of friendly stingrays. They'll eat bits of squid right from your hand and allow you to hug their smooth underbelly's.
Stay at:
InterContinental Resort & Spa
Moorea, French Polynesia
Nestled between mountains and a lagoon on a stunning French Polynesian island. Right on the resort grounds is Moorea s widest range of activities, which includes the Moorea Dolphin Center, Bathys Diving Club, tennis, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, skiing and Jeep tours.
