11 Snorkeling And Dive Sites That Are "Little Mermaid"-Approved

With over 7,000 islands, there are numerous good dive sites in the area including Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Apo Reef, and the Visayas region. Check out hundreds of species of coral (half of the world’s species) and other diverse undersea creatures.      

Key Largo is known as the “Dive Capital of the World.” Venture to Pennekamp State Park where, near Key Largo Dry Rocks, a beautiful intermediate reef, lies the bronze statue Christ of the Abyss (the original is on the Italian Riviera). It’s only 11 feet under water, so it’s accessible to both divers and snorkelers.       

This diving site is incredibly huge. It runs along the east coast of Australia and is 344,000 square kilometers. It’s so big, in fact, that it can be spotted from space. With a collection of 3,000 reefs, there’s always more to explore.      

This archipelago of 1,200 islands has atolls, coral reefs, and coral islands in the Indian Ocean. If you’re hoping to see manta rays and whale sharks, go August through November when the plankton (their food source) is plentiful.      

A small island in the western Pacific Ocean, Palau is known for rock islands, jellyfish, and marine life, including sharks, turtles, and coral reefs. Thanks to its conservation efforts, it’s one of the biggest marine sanctuaries in the world. There’s also over 60 wrecks from WWII to explore.      

This area has one of the highest marine biodiversity levels on Earth. The archipelago is comprised of over 1,500 islands teeming with rainbow coral (hard and soft), sponges, octopus, and reef sharks. It’s one of the great shallow areas for beginners to get their feet wet.      

In the warm water of the Red Sea, you’ll find colorful coral, playful dolphin, scary shipwrecks, and so many sharks.      

This barrier reef dive includes a shallow lagoon with manta rays, sharks, and tropical fish. Good currents equal lazy, relaxing dives. You can also try helmet diving, where zebra-patterned fish surround you while you breathe easy.      

One of the largest in the Northern Hemisphere, the reef was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. A jaw-dropper of the area is the Great Blue Hole, a massive underwater sinkhole. To explore this collapsed sea cave, you should be an advanced-level diver.     

Called a “living museum and showcase of evolution," Charles Darwin developed his theories of evolution here. Thanks to its remote location, there’s unique species not found anywhere else. Check out some of the wildlife, including sea lions, turtles, penguins, and marine iguanas.      

The name of this small island in the Gulf of Thailand means “turtle island” and is home to lots of dive schools. If you’re not dive certified, this is a great place to do so.