Snorkeling is the perfect tropical vacation activity.
Sadly, coral bleaching triggered by climate change is already affecting many of the world’s reefs.
There, you’re able to snorkel in mangrove forests, seagrass fields, and a coral reef.
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Founded by Jacques Cousteau’s son, Jean-Michel, the educational center continues the explorer’s conservation work.
Swim along reefs with a camera to spot stingrays, sea urchins, and plenty of fish.
Brilliant coral reefs are found along the peninsula and also in Sabah, the Malaysian part of Borneo.
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Located inThingvellir National Park, the Silfra Fissure is a gap between the North American and Eurasian continental plates.
Also known by the nickname “Alice in Wonderland,” it’s famous for its surrealistic coral formations.
Another popular spot isPlaya Porto Mari.
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Hundreds of cays and atolls with colorful coral beneath the turquoise waters dot the Caribbean coastline.
It’s the perfect place to live out your swimming-with-the-sharks fantasies.
As it happens, one of the best snorkeling spots is a reef near the Captain Cook Monument.
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The stunning region of Palawan has no shortage of snorkeling opportunities.
Buck Island, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
On Buck Island in theU.S.
The shallow, gentle waters of this top destination for snorkeling are ideal for beginners.
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The reef is made up of roughly 2,900 individual reefs that stretch 1,429 miles off the Australian shoreline.
For a truly otherworldly experience, visitors can snorkel among the floating, gelatinous creatures.
If you’re worried you might get stung, relax.
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A short boat ride away, jump into the water with playful sea lions at Isla Espiritu Santo.
Keep your eyes peeled for blue-footed boobies on the way.
This is one of the few places where these rare birds can be found outside of the Galapagos Islands.
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The site lies between the islets of Koh Nang Yuan, which are connected by a sandbar.
Glide through underwater gardens featuring lobed pore, slipper, and mushroom corals, among others.
Swim through the still, peaceful waters with small fish below the surface.
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Above the water, float along looking for a variety of birds under swags of vine-like limbs.
Local outfitters can arrange a snorkeling tour of one of the reserve’s bioluminescent bays after dark.
Snorkelers can spot some of the thousands of fish species that live among the coral.
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Eye-catching and staggeringly large eagle rays can also be found in the Solomon Islands.
Split level view of the Silfra Crack or Fissure in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland.by wildestanimal/Getty Images
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