5 Best Places for Snorkelling in India

Snorkelling is a great way to see the wonders of the underwater world and marine life, especially if you’re not very confident about your swimming skills. Usually done in shallow water depths with half of your body above water, snorkelling requires you to wear the right equipment like an eye mask, fins and snorkel. All that’s left to do then is swim or wade through the waters and see fish swimming right before your eyes.

Here are the best places for snorkelling in India: 

The Andaman Islands

The Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal is a slice of tropical paradise. Crystalline blue waters, pristine beaches and virgin rainforests are some of its many lures. Since water abounds, activities related to it are extremely popular. While snorkelling is possible to do at most of the beaches, Elephant Beach on Havelock Island is a popular spot owing to the prolific marine life that can be spotted easily in the warm and inviting waters here.

Approximate Cost: Up to INR 1,000 for 30 minutes

Book Your Flight to Andaman Islands

Read More: 5 Reasons Why the Andaman Islands Are More than Just a Beach Destination

Netrani Island, Karnataka

One of Karnataka’s lesser-known islands, Netrani Island or Pigeon Island (due to its large pigeon population) in the Arabian Sea gains notoriety for being a coral reef island. This by default makes it a hotbed for teeming marine life like butterfly fish, parrotfish, eels, barracudas, mantas, clownfish and other colourful residents. Sea turtles can also be easily spotted, and in deeper waters, scuba divers have also seen sharks.

Lakshadweep

With its name that literally means 100,000 islands, the islands of Lakshadweep are surrounded with living coral reefs and abundant marine life that dwell in the waters of the Lakshadweep Sea. Having fast grown into one of the best scuba diving and snorkelling destination, islands like Bangaram and Kadmat offer opportunities to view vibrant tropical fish as well as other marine life species like sea cucumbers, rays, sea turtles and crabs in shallow waters.

Approximate Cost: Up to INR 1,000 for 30 minutes

Book Your Flight to Agatti Island (Nearest Airport)

Read More: 6 Thrilling Water Adventures to Try in Lakshadweep

Goa

Undoubtedly the most popular beach destination in the country, Goa attracts lovers of the sun, sand and surf. There are several snorkelling spots including Sinquerim Beach, Grande Island, Monkey Island and Palolem Beach. However, given that the waters of Goa are generally cloudy, the chances of sighting schools of fish and varied species of marine life are slim. However, don’t be disheartened because inspite of low visibility, you can still manage to see something.

Approximate Cost: Up to INR 2,000 for 30 minutes

Book Your Flight to Goa

Tarkarli, Maharashtra

We won’t be surprised if you hadn’t heard of Tarkarli before this. This seaside village is a well-kept secret of the Konkan coast. Tarkarli affords an impressive shoreline set against clear blue waters and water activities are big in the area amongst professionals and novices alike. Snorkelling at Tarkarli is a real treat with hundreds of marine species making their home in the labyrinth network of corals here. Relatively unexplored, the crowds escape Tarkarli making it one of the best places for snorkellers and divers.

Approximate Cost: Up to INR 500 for 1 hour