The great thing about snorkelling is that you don't need much athletic training or expensive equipment. All you need is a little experience, knowledge of useful information and possible dangers, and some healthy salt in your noggin. One can then enjoy immense peace surrounded by incredible landscapes populated by living beings so different from us.
But if the budget does not allow us to travel to paradisiacal seas on the other side of the world, what to do? Simple: follow our ranking of snorkelling spots in the Mediterranean!
1 - Illes Medes, Costa Brava - Spain
A protected marine reserve where fish and plants reign undisturbed... or almost. "Unfortunately" some people go to the beach or practice water sports, so snorkelling could be difficult or potentially dangerous. But if done carefully, the game is worth the candle: schools of small, colourful fish swim in the same waters with large, solitary fish such as grouper. If you are lucky, you may even encounter some barracuda swimming with their mates.
2 - Ghar Lapsi - Malta
This is a difficult place to reach, unspoilt and beautiful, with a wonderfully clear sea and several caves, a refuge for many fish. In these waters, rich in colourful marine vegetation, swim scorpion fish, octopus, eels and mullet.
3 - Isola Rossa, Sardinia - Italy
Photo by Gianni Careddu. The beaches offer beautiful red rocks with a variety of pools and bays to explore, where fish love to take refuge.
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Although the beach is sandy, as is the seabed, the water is still transparent. Moray eels are very common. A wide variety of fish swim in these waters, both near the shores and further offshore.
4 - Coco Beach, Nice - France
Despite the proximity of the harbour and an industrialised city so important for tourism, Nice has a wonderful stretch of French coastline. Coco Beach, a stone's throw from the Nice harbour, enjoys crystal-clear waters that, thanks to the yellow sand, appear a fantastic shade of blue. There are plenty of snorkelling groups here that you can join. Or you can choose to explore these rocky, often somewhat 'crowded' coves on your own.
5 - Makarska Riviera - Croatia
This place is perfect for anyone who has already explored French, Italian and Spanish waters. The Adriatic is, of course, a little different from the other waters mentioned, but here, too, you can dive in sandy-bottomed waters that are home to some very colourful corals and sea plants, including golden sponges.
Many polyps and crabs live there. If you are lucky, you may even come across some seahorses.
6 - Skiathos - Greece
Sometimes visibility can be poor due to some movement on the seabed. But if this is not a problem, it is a great place to snorkel.
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The best waters are those of the rocky beaches, where you can admire octopuses, crabs, fish and large eels. If you are a skilled searcher, you can find wonderful empty shells on the seabed.
7 - Paphos - Cyprus
Its isolated, gently sloping beaches are perfect for snorkellers. Near the lighthouse, a favourite spot, you can explore large and small underwater caves where many fish take refuge. It is also fun to peer into hollow caves to observe marine animals peeping out of them, such as octopuses, from afar. Many small fish, such as the unapproachable pipefish, live in these waters.
8 - Port Cros, Les Porquerolles - France
The smallest of the Hyères islands, it is best known as a marine reserve, thanks to its beautiful posidonia meadows. Its sheer cliffs are ideal for snorkelling enthusiasts. Try the underwater path along the northern part of the island, which allows you to swim for 30 to 40 minutes while observing the lush underwater life.
9 - Aeolian Islands, Sicily - Italy
One might as well say 'observe every nook and cranny', but you certainly shouldn't miss the waters of Filicudi. Between the Grotta del Bue Marino and the imposing Faraglione della Canna and the lighthouse inlet, you will find perfect and incredible places to snorkel!
At Alicudi, the seabed at Spiaggia Bazzina and the enchanting Cigliata di Tramontana lend themselves masterfully to this underwater activity.
The island of Stromboli is a true paradise for snorkelling enthusiasts, both for its wonderful seabed and for the variety of fish species present. The seabed surrounding Strombolicchio and the Sciara del Fuoco, on the north-east coast of the island, are also not to be missed.
10 - Gozo and Comino - Malta
Dwejra, a beach in the west of theisland of Gozo, offers unique natural landscapes, including the Blue Window: a rocky plateau suspended over the sea, beneath which lies the spectacular Blue Hole. On the east coast, you will find a small hideaway frequented by snorkellers for its clear seabed and small caves.
Between Malta and Gozo lies the island of Comino: a true snorkelling paradise! The island is famous for its Blue Lagoon, which has absolutely nothing to envy the Caribbean Sea. Not far away are St. Nicholas Bay and Santa Maria Bay, two delightful quiet bays that are optimal for underwater exploration.