Marine Life & Conservation
The 10 Best Places to Snorkel with Sharks
Swimming with sharks is an unbeatable experience and high on the wish list for many divers and snorkelers. Read on to discover the best places you can snorkel with these amazing animals.
1) South Africa
Diving in South Africa is synonymous with sharks and there are many opportunities to go snorkeling with sharks there as well. You can go cage diving with great white sharks at Gansbaai or snorkel with numerous blue and mako sharks off Cape Point.
Visit Seal Island near Simon’s Town to snorkel with ancient-looking broadnose sevengill sharks and bronze whalers. It is a fantastic place to go snorkeling and meet some of the 60,000 noisy cape fur seals that call the island home.
Hop on a plane from nearby Cape Town to Durban and you’ll be at another top shark diving and snorkeling destination, Aliwal Shoal at Umkomaas. There you can go snorkeling with oceanic blacktip sharks.
2) Mozambique
Inhambane in Mozambique, with its idyllic beaches stretching along the coastline, is the perfect place to base yourself for a beach and snorkeling holiday. There you will find an incredible reef system with areas that remain unexplored to this day. You can go snorkeling with whale sharks from Tofo Beach, go dolphin and whale watching or simply enjoy the reefs this area is known for.
3) Cuba
Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina is one of the best places for shark encounters in the Caribbean, where you can swim with dozens of different shark species in protected waters. Relatively off the radar, you won’t find any crowds at this destination.
Go snorkeling there to encounter Caribbean reef sharks, silky, lemon, nurse, bull, blacktip reef sharks and more. Shark sightings are pretty much guaranteed year-round, and you can even go snorkeling with crocodiles during your stay.
4) The Bahamas
The Bahamas designated its entire territorial waters as a shark sanctuary in 2011 and is one of the best places in the world to swim with sharks.
Bimini Island is the place to go for snorkeling with great hammerhead, lemon and Caribbean reef sharks. If you want to snorkel with oceanic whitetip sharks, be sure to take a trip to Cat Island in the Central Bahamas.
5) Indonesia
Raja Ampat’s Cenderawasih Bay is one of the best places to snorkel with whale sharks in Indonesia. The fishermen of Cenderawasih Bay give fish to the whale sharks to bring luck and there are numerous whale sharks in the bay.
Photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash
Cenderawasih Bay also sits in one of the most sought-after dive destinations of the world, Raja Ampat. There you can encounter thousands of fish species, manta rays and hundreds of vibrant corals. If you are a certified diver, make sure you go diving in Raja Ampat during your trip to this special area.
6) The Maldives
Diving in the Maldives is synonymous with huge whale sharks, drifting over gorgeous coral reefs and endless pretty atolls. All of which you can enjoy as a snorkeler as well.
South Ari Atoll is the best place to go snorkeling with whale sharks, though you can also see them at Huvadhoo Atoll and Thaa Atoll in the south. Vaavuu Atoll, the easternmost atoll of the Maldives, offers unspoiled reefs and an abundance of marine life. Visit Alimatha Island in Vaavuu Atoll to go night snorkeling with numerous docile nurse sharks and huge stingrays.
7) French Polynesia
When it comes to romantic destinations for snorkelers, it doesn’t get much better than French Polynesia. Picture-perfect Moorea Island offers dedicated snorkeling safaris to meet blacktip reef sharks, whitetips, grey reef, tiger and lemon sharks. You can also go snorkeling with humpback whales.
Photo by Moon on Unsplash
8) Mexico
No Mexico snorkeling trip would be complete without going shark cage diving at Guadalupe Island. This is the only island in the world where you can snorkel with great white sharks in warm, calm and crystal-clear waters.
You can also go snorkeling with numerous whale sharks at Isla Mujeres on the Yucatan Peninsula.
9) The United Kingdom
The waters off the United Kingdom might be chilly but don’t be put off, they offer seasonal diving with basking and blue sharks.
Cornwall, in the southwest of England, is a prime spot to swim with both basking sharks and blue sharks during late spring and summer. You can also go diving with basking sharks at the Isle of Man and in Scotland.
10) Belize
If you love nurse sharks, don’t miss snorkeling at Shark Ray Alley in Ambergris Caye. There are numerous nurse sharks there, which you can snorkel with during dedicated snorkeling trips.
Photo by Ryan Geller on Unsplash.
With clear waters and beautiful reefs nearby, there is also plenty to experience after you’ve had your shark snorkeling fix.
Kathryn Curzon, a shark conservationist and dive travel writer for Scuba Schools International (SSI), wrote this article.
Saudi Arabia is reaffirming its commitment to preserving the extraordinary marine environments along its Red Sea coastline
From Jeddah to Yanbu, Umluj, Farasan Islands, to Tabuk, as Saudi welcomes greater numbers to its Red Sea shores, this emerging global destination is making waves not just for its beauty, but for its mindful approach to the environment.
An Underwater Paradise
Stretching along Saudi’s western coastline, this pristine aquatic world is home to over 300 species of coral and more than 250 species of fish, hawksbill turtles, dugongs, dolphins, sharks and sea birds. Just last month, a record-breaking giant 800-year-old coral colony was discovered in the waters of AMAALA. Stretching the length of over six London buses, it is the largest in the Red Sea and even close in size to the current coral colony world record holder—indicative of the Saudi Red Sea’s rude health.
Preserving Nature’s Masterpiece
Recognizing that conservation is key to ensuring the future of this underwater paradise, numerous environmental studies and initiatives have been launched. In 2022, the Saudi National Centre for Wildlife began the largest environmental baseline study ever conducted in the region, the Red Sea Decade Expedition. This saw a team of 126 scour more than 1,800 kilometers of coastline and 90 offshore islands, using DNA sequencing technologies to establish an end-to-end catalog of the Red Sea’s biodiversity—from bacteria to whales—to inform Saudi’s commitment to conserve 30 percent of the Red Sea.
Reef Encounter
The Saudi Red Sea’s coral reefs, considered some of the most climate-resilient in the world and the cornerstone of marine health, are the subject of a number of initiatives in Saudi. Groundbreaking new AI reef monitoring technology has been created and employed to not only monitor coral health, but dispense nutrients, medicine and probiotics as needed in real time according to their needs.
Significant investment in coral labs means that unlike in the wild—where coral reproduces for just a handful of days per year—scientists can now breed coral throughout the year. This can then be transplanted at one of the many floating nurseries established in the Saudi Red Sea, which boast a healthy 97% survival success rate. Just last year, NEOM announced the World’s Largest Coral Restoration project, which will produce 40,000 corals annually, while a secondary facility with ten times this capacity is built to help maintain this underwater ecosystem.
Rachel Moore, PADI Ambassadiver, called the Saudi Red Sea one of the few healthy places left on our planet, saying: “Diving in the Red Sea has made me incredibly hopeful – the corals here are extremely resilient, the coral coverage on the dive sites extensive… [I] was surprised to see how much living coral there is.”
Built to Protect, Not Just Impress
Beyond the labs and the sea itself, protecting this precious environment is at the heart of development in the Saudi Red Sea. For example, the 1.2km Shurayrah Bridge was crafted with a graceful curve, rather than a simple straight-line design, to minimize impact on coral formations.
In the Saudi Red Sea, guests can experience world-class hospitality that puts nature first. Resorts such as Shebara, Desert Rock, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and The St. Regis Red Sea Resort are designed with sustainability at their core. From off-grid energy systems to zero-waste initiatives and wildlife-friendly architecture, these retreats offer the ultimate escape—without compromise to the environment.
With just 1% of the entire Saudi Red Sea footprint being developed, the rest will be left untouched—a testament to this commitment to a more conscious conservation.
A Call to Conscious Travel
Soon, visitors will be able to dive even deeper—figuratively and literally—at the world’s first fully immersive experiential marine life center, “Corallium”, currently under development by Red Sea Global. Designed to educate and inspire, the center will offer interactive exhibits and underwater observatories.
To learn more and plan your trip, visit the Visit Saudi website.
Green Fins initiative in Jordan achieves 51% reduction in threats to Aqaba Marine Reserve
Green Fins, the internationally recognised standard for sustainable diving and snorkelling, is delivering measurable environmental benefits to Jordan’s precious coral ecosystems. In just its second year of implementation, the programme has achieved a remarkable 51% reduction in threats to Aqaba’s coral reefs from marine tourism activities.
Led by Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and supported by Green Fins’ international coordinator, The Reef-World Foundation, Green Fins Jordan is demonstrating how government commitment combined with industry action can rapidly transform a dive destination.
Measurable Environmental Improvements
The programme’s success is evident through several key metrics tracked during annual Green Fins assessments:
Elimination of anchoring damage from Green Fins Members
69% reduction in diver contact with fragile coral reefs
100% halt to the display and sale of marine life
46% improvement in waste management practices
28% reduction in chemical discharge into marine environments
27% increase in positive role model behaviour among dive guides
“This achievement not only attracts more divers to Aqaba but also honours ASEZA’s dedication to prioritising resources for this vital program,” said Nayef AL Fayez, ASEZA Chief.
Commissioner. “These remarkable improvements demonstrate that with proper guidance and commitment, the diving industry can reduce its environmental impact significantly. We’re proud to see the progress made by Green Fins Members, and this reinforces the importance of this initiative for our sustainability agenda. By choosing Green Fins operators, divers are directly contributing to the protection of our marine treasures for future generations while enjoying world-class underwater experiences.”
A Prime Destination for Eco-Conscious Divers
Aqaba has emerged as a leading destination for environmentally conscious divers, offering the rare combination of vibrant marine biodiversity with verifiable sustainability credentials. Divers now have a compelling reason to choose Aqaba: its commitment to sustainability directly translates to healthier, more vibrant reefs and an enhanced diving experience. The Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR), which covers 30% of Jordan’s coastline, was recently recognised in the prestigious IUCN Green List of Protected Areas, confirming its status as an effectively managed protected area.
The designation of the Aqaba Marine Reserve in 2020 was made possible through the commitment and support of King Abdullah II, who considers marine conservation a national priority. This high-level backing has enabled ASEZA to implement effective management strategies, including Green Fins, ensuring that diving operations maintain the ecological integrity of this unique ecosystem.
“Divers are increasingly making sustainable choices,” noted JJ Jarvey, Operations Director at The Reef-World Foundation. “Aqaba now offers the compelling proposition of experiencing some of the world’s most resilient coral reefs while knowing their visit contributes to reef protection rather than degradation.”
Local Businesses Driving Global Impact
Eleven dive operators have achieved Green Fins certification in Aqaba, demonstrating their commitment to environmental best practices:
Red Sea Dive Center
Arab Divers
Deep Blue Dive Center
Coral Garden Diving Center
Aqaba Sharks Bay Divers
Royal Diving Club
Bait al-Aqaba Dive Resort
Hammerhead Diving Center
Rio Dive Center Aqaba
Red Coral Dive Centre
Sea Wonders Diving Center
These operators are pioneering a new standard for sustainable diving in the region, proving that environmental protection and business success can go hand-in-hand.
Recognising the Efforts of the Green Fins Assessor Team
Behind this successful partnership between dive operators and environmental standards stands a dedicated team of professionals. The recent success and continuity of the Green Fins programme would not have been possible without the commitment of the Green Fins Assessor team. Dom Wyszogrodzki and Tareq Al Salman played pivotal roles in ensuring the programme’s continued success. Their expertise and commitment have been instrumental in maintaining high standards, evaluating progress and supporting local dive operators in implementing best practices for sustainable marine tourism. Their contributions have been vital in strengthening the relationship between ASEZA and local dive operators and ensuring the long-term impact of the Green Fins initiative.
Future Plans for Expanding Green Fins in Aqaba
With this strong foundation established by the assessor team, Green Fins Jordan is now setting its sights on future growth. Building on the success of the current programme, ASEZA, in collaboration with The Reef-World Foundation, is working to expand the Green Fins programme to include the remaining Aqaba-based dive centres, ensuring that all operators in the region can contribute to the protection of Aqaba’s marine ecosystems.
In addition to expanding the programme, future initiatives will focus on conducting meaningful awareness sessions for both the local community and visitors. This will include citizen science-driven reef monitoring, where divers and local residents can actively contribute to the health and monitoring of coral reefs, as well as clean-up dives aimed at reducing marine litter and improving water quality.
“Divers are now looking for more than just an experience; they want to know that their activities are contributing to the preservation of our marine ecosystems. By expanding the Green Fins programme, we’re empowering more businesses and individuals to play an active role in protecting Aqaba’s reefs for generations to come,” added Dom Wyszogrodzki, Green Fins Local Management Team Leader.
Dive operators interested in joining the Green Fins programme can learn more at www.greenfins.net. For divers planning their next trip in Aqaba, choosing Green Fins-certified operators means experiencing extraordinary underwater environments while being part of the solution.
News3 months agoSafety First: With Red Sea Liveaboard Scuba Scene, You’re in Good Hands (Watch Video)
- News3 months ago
Discover Red Sea Liveaboard Diving at its Finest with Scuba Scene (Watch Video)
- Gear News3 months ago
Introducing the all new GROUNDTRUTH x PADI UNDA range
- Gear Reviews3 months ago
Gear Review: Hollis ST Elite System (Watch Video)
- Blogs3 months ago
Here’s That Lifeline You’ve Been Waiting for, Dive Industry – Make Sure You Grab It with Both Hands
- Blogs2 months ago
Making a Splash: My Path to Becoming a Master Scuba Diver at 12
- News3 months ago
Rhode Island Native Clinches Title of New England’s Youngest PADI Certified Master Scuba Diver
- Gear News3 months ago
Say Goodbye to Jellyfish Stings – Meet Stingblade, the Must-Have for Divers
