Best Snorkeling And Swimming Beaches

From the beautiful waters to the gorgeous coastlines, island beaches are as enticing as they are beautiful. And many of these stunning locations are just as beautiful under the water as they are from the shore. 

Snorkeling and swimming bring you closer to sea creatures in their natural habitat and the wonders of aquatic life better than a National Geographic special ever could. Here are some of the best island beach locations for swimmers and snorkelers. 

There are plenty of diving locations at Bohol Island with plenty to see. Divers who explore Bohol Island, the 10th largest island in the Philippines, will swim among tuna, snappers, groupers, mackerel and surgeonfish and view schools of dolphins and pilot whales.

There are a myriad of activities that can be enjoyed at Buck Island — like hiking or bird watching — but none compare to the swimming and snorkeling adventures. Just off the coast of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, both beginner and novice snorkelers can dive up to 12 feet below the island's surface in some of the prettiest waters in the world and explore the elkhorn-coral barrier reef, one of the most pristine in the Caribbean.

Exploring the Champagne Reef might be one of the most dazzling and colorful adventures any swimmer or snorkeler can embark on. Named after its resemblance to Champagne due to the bubbling waters caused by active volcanoes that rise from the ocean floor, Champagne Reef is decorated with sponges with names like pink azure, red rope and purple vase. And when those aren't enough to charm swimmers, undersea creatures — ranging from octopus, parrotfish, hawksbill turtles and seahorses — are sure to dazzle.

Once a place of refuge for pirates, Nicaragua's Corn Islands is now a dream Caribbean destination. Because of its stunning turquoise waters, reefs and eclectic marine life, the Corn Islands are a hotspot for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and fishing.

Dry Tortugas is one of the most underrated national parks in America. Comprised of seven small islands, the park is known for its picturesque clear waters, ocean life, underwater shipwrecks and some of the most vibrant coral reefs in the Florida Keys. Less than 1% of the national park is dry land, meaning the best way to explore Dry Tortugas is by swimming, diving or snorkeling.

Named a Natural Protected Area and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, Espiritu Santo Island is famous for having the largest sea lion colony in the world. Snorkelers and divers can interact with the sea lions in their natural habitat or spend time viewing tropical fish, like barracuda and parrotfish.

Kashiwajima Island is home to more than 1,000 different species of fish, making it a prime location for scuba diving in Japan. The island is known for its endless view of vibrant blue water and beautiful sunrises and sunsets across the horizon.

Even locals love swimming and snorkeling at Knip Beach, a popular tourist destination. Visitors can swim in the warm waters or dive deep to explore the island's reef. Kleine Knip Beach is also recognized for being an intimate destination. It's one of the most romantic spots in the Caribbean.

Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean, is a water sports paradise. The island has over 200  miles of coastline encircled by a coral barrier, and each diving location has a view worth seeing. The east diving region, for example, is rich in plankton, and the north diving region has colorful corals and sea animals. To top it all off, the stunning sights at Mauritius — like the sunrise and sunset over the clear waters — make the island perfect for an amazing romantic adventure.

Nosy Be pairs gorgeous beaches with some of the world's best seafood for an experience that exemplifies relaxation. On the tiny island off the coast of Madagascar, tourists can participate in recreational activities like snorkeling and swimming in blue waters.

Visitors to Palomino Island, a private destination in Puerto Rico, can snorkel and swim all without ever needing a passport. Spanning a total of 100 acres, Palomino Island is a tropical paradise with gorgeous, clear waters with hues of blue and emerald green.

Located in Thingvellir National Park in Iceland, Silfra — which translates to "silvery" — Fissure is the only place in the world where people can dive between two continents at once as they swim between tectonic plates. Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure has been compared to flying as explorers roam gorgeous rock formations formed millions of years ago. Silfra Fissure is one of the world's most unique natural wonders.

Located in Grand Cayman — the largest of the Cayman Islands — Stingray City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Visitors have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore bright, blue waters populated with friendly southern Atlantic stingrays. And while swimming or snorkeling the day away with the stingrays, guests can also feed and snap fun photos with the aquatic creatures.

Uepi is a snorkeling paradise. A barrier reef island in the Solomon Islands, Uepi is covered in tropical rainforest and framed by a warm lagoon on one side and a deep marine abyss — best known as "The Slot" — on the other. And animal lovers who dive or swim at Uepi are in for a treat: the island's waters are populated with diverse marine life ranging from coral and starfish to masses of colorful fish. 

Vieques is a Caribbean Island on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Vieques is home to Mosquito Bay, the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. In this wonder of the world, organisms called Pyrodinium bahamense come into contact with another organism and create a bright burst of blue light that can be seen across the waters. Visitors can snorkel and swim as this phenomenon takes place for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.