6 Best Places for Snorkeling in India

If you believe that the terrestrial wildlife of our planet is remarkable, you will be even more amazed when you dive beneath the surface. The oceans of Earth represent a vast wilderness where extraordinary creatures swim, crawl, and navigate through ever-changing landscapes. Elegant whales, curious turtles, and vibrant coral gardens all flourish in the warm, tropical, and crystal-clear waters. Snorkeling is an incredible underwater activity that enables individuals to explore the wonders of marine life and the enigmatic underwater realm. Typically conducted in shallow waters while using an eye mask, fins, and a snorkel, snorkeling has gained popularity among travelers, appealing to both swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Numerous tourist places in India provide exceptional snorkeling experiences, featuring pristine coral reefs, clear waters, and rich marine biodiversity. Below is a curated list of select locations where you can fully enjoy snorkeling as part of your India tour packages.

The Andaman Islands

Located far away from mainland India, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a group of around 570 islands in the Bay of Bengal. With its azure waters, exotic beaches, secluded islands, evergreen tropical rain forests, vibrant flora, and fauna, Andamans is among the most trending places to visit as part of the honeymoon tour packages. Besides, it is also a paradise for travellers and snorkelers as the coastal belt of the Andaman Islands is the abode of one of the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world. Elephant Beach on Havelock Island, Neil Island, and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park – Wandoor, are some of the popular places to visit in Andamans for snorkeling. There are many tour operators offering basic snorkeling courses and snorkeling gear for rent. The best season for diving is from December to May.

                         Book Here: Andaman Tour Packages

Netrani Island, Karnataka

Also called ‘Pigeon Island’, Netrani Island is a heart-shaped island located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Murudeshwar, one of the most scenic places to visit near Hubli. Known for its snorkeling and diving activities, it is one of the famous places to do snorkeling in India, and among themust-include places in the Murudeshwar tour packages. Its crystal-clear waters allow visibility up to 25-30 meters giving you an amazing snorkeling experience exploring the underwater world. One will get a chance to spot a diverse variety of marine life like butterfly fish, parrotfish, eels, barracudas, mantas, clownfish, and other colorful residents. Sea turtles can also be easily spotted in deeper waters. Besides, visitors can find a ruined temple, a Roman Catholic Church, and a mosque on this island.

                           Book Here: Murudeshwar Packages from Bangalore

Lakshadweep

Located 200-400 km west of the coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep is an archipelago that comprises 36 main islands, many smaller islands, coral atolls, and coral reefs. With white sandy beaches and blue lagoons, Lakshadweep is one of the most secluded beach destinations in India and also one of the best places to visit as part of honeymoon tour packages. Besides, the islands of Lakshadweep are the ideal places for snorkeling as they are surrounded by living coral reefs and abundant marine life. Some of the best-known islands in Lakshadweep, among the most scenic tourist places near Kochi, where you can enjoy this thrilling adventure sport are Kadmat, Agatti Island, and Bangaram Island. From octopi and manta rays to crabs and hawks, to hawksbill turtles, tourists can enjoy breathtaking views of coral reefs and vibrant tropical fish in the shallow waters of the Lakshadweep Sea as part of the Lakshadweep tour packages.

                         Book Here: Lakshadweep Packages from Kochi

Grand Island, Goa

Spectacular beaches, fantastic surf, verdant forests, and nightlong wild parties make Goa the most-visited beach destination in India that lures an endless number of domestic as well as international visitors throughout the year. Besides, this coastal state by the Arabian Sea also serves as a haven for water sports enthusiasts including snorkeling lovers as it has various underwater shipwrecks. Grand Island is the most popular site for snorkeling in Goa, one of the prominent places to visit near Mumbai. Wreck of Suzy, Cove of Shelter, Bay of Bounty, Sinquerim Beach, Monkey Island, and Palolem Beach are some other places to do snorkeling as part of the Goa adventure packages. However, given that the waters of Goa are generally cloudy, one could see Moorish idols and lots of fish species like snappers, barracudas, and parrotfish.

                            Book Here: Goa Tour Packages

Tarkali, Maharashtra

Situated by the Konkan coast, Tarkarli is one of the popular places to visit in Maharashtra, and among the well-known spots for snorkeling in India owing to its rich underwater life with a diverse range of fishes, and submerged infrastructure of Sindhudurg Fort. The water in Tarkali is clear and provides a clear view of the 20-foot-deep seabed glittering with coral reefs spreading over the entire coast nearby. One can see dolphins, sharks, and many colorful tropical plants and fishes here. The season for Snorkeling in Tarkarli starts from October to March.

                          Must Visit: Places to Visit near Kolhapur

Aravind’s Wall, Puducherry

Aravind’s Wall is yet another popular place for Snorkeling in India, and among the best places to visit in Pondicherry. The site is called Aravind’s Wall because of a huge rock formation that resembles a wall. With 2.5 km long and running from south to north, the wall has a depth of 40 meters/130 feet and is accessible only to advanced open water divers. The place is known for the beautiful populations of gorgonians, whip corals, and a wide range of animal species such as snappers, groupers, jacks, fusiliers, rabbitfish, bannerfish, rays, and all sorts of crustaceans. Temple Reef is another snorkeling site in Puducherry where you can go up close with the whale sharks, bannerfish, dolphins, turtles, and many other marine animals as part of Pondicherry tour packages. January to June and September to November are the best seasons to visit here.

                 Also Read: Prominent Tourist Places near Chennai

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