With its islands bathed in sunshine, its cliffs falling into the blue and its mild climate, the Mediterranean is a summer paradise. If there are no coral reefs there, its rocky shores, sandbanks and shallow seagrass beds are all great environments to explore from the shore. During your explorations, you’ll spot great marine biodiversity, and in particular, many species of fish found nowhere else in the world. Ready to discover our 10 favorite snorkeling spots in the Mediterranean? Follow the guide!
In Port Cros National Park, the original Mediterranean awaits: dusky groupers, schools of amberjack, gilt-head bream, dentex and brown meagre live in its preserved seabed, one of the most pristine of the region. Since fishing has been banned for almost 60 years in the Park, marine life can easily be approached and photographed. Plage de la Palud, where an underwater trail has been installed, is the best snorkeling location on the island, but Anse de la Fausse Monnaie is also worth a detour.
Located a few minutes by boat off the coast of l’Estartit, the Medes Islands are Spain’s most famous snorkeling destination. These 7 small islands, protected since 1983, are home to exceptionally dense underwater life. At the foot of the rocky islets, you’ll spot salema shoaling by hundreds, gilt-head breams, sargo, dentex, and occasionally dusky groupers … all a few feet below the surface.
The Blue Hole of Gozo offers one of the most spectacular underwaterscapes in the Mediterranean. If this huge blue hole, plunging steeply to the depths, is above all a paradise for freedivers, the shallower areas allow discovering underwater life from the surface. Sargo, damselfish, and schools of ornate wrasse await you on the rocky drop-offs.
Swimming with sea turtles is not only a tropical experience! The warm waters of Greece are the kingdom of loggerhead turtles, which can be easily spotted in many locations in the country. The crystal-clear waters of tiny Cameo Island in Zakynthos are one of the best places to encounter them.
By contemplating their polished rocks, their white sand and their turquoise sea, you may think you are in the Caribbean! Established as a marine reserve in 1992, the small Lavezzi Islands are home to the most pristine underwater environment in Corsica. Cala Achiarina’s “natural pool”, in particular, is filled with huge gilt-head bream and colorful wrasse, some of them quite inquisitive.
Dreaming of seeing seahorses? Encounters with these fascinating little fish are always unforgettable moments! To put the odds in your favor, head to the Etang de Thau, near Sète, where the populations of long-snouted seahorses have increased sharply in recent years. The best spot to see them is the Ponton de la Bordelaise, where they can sometimes be found near the shore, in a few feet of water.
Located near Ayia Napa, at the southeastern tip of Cyprus, Green Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots in the Mediterranean. It has all snorkelers might dream about: vibrant rocky beds loaded with fish, underwater statues, and seagrass beds visited by green sea turtles. With its free shore access, it is a must-do snorkeling if you visit the island!
Superb mineral cove with turquoise waters, Cala Rossa is an unmissable stopover for visitors to discover the island of Favignana, in the Aegadian Islands. Snorkelers won’t resist the call of the cove’s crystal-clear, calm, shallow waters. The rocky areas are particularly rich in underwater life, and you can see wrasse, seabream, octopus, gobies, and even small groupers.
Anse du Petit Mugel, located at the eastern end of the Calanques National Park, is well known to diving and freediving enthusiasts. It must be said that few spots in the Mediterranean concentrate such varied environments and species. While exploring its superb rocky drop-off and seagrass beds, you will have a good chance of encountering moray eels, octopus and cuttlefish, but also yellow gorgonians, a coral rarely seen at snorkeling depth.
Palombaggia beach is widely considered one of the most beautiful in Corsica. Its red rocks, its pines, its white sand and its turquoise blue waters offer amazing views. The northern end of the beach, protected by a marine reserve, is home to Posidonia meadows, sandy beds and rocky outcrops teeming with sea life.
This top10 has been selected only from the +400 locations already on our map. If you know a snorkeling spot that is not yet on the map, send us your report and it may be selected to appear on this page!
Snorkeling with dolphins in the open sea is the dream of many people. There are several spots in the world where you have great chances to see dolphins in the wild while snorkeling [...]
Sharks are the most powerful fishes in the oceans. They have a reputation as dangerous predators, but in many areas of the world, you can safely spot them when snorkeling. An under [...]
It is hard to choose the best snorkeling destinations in the world. There are, after all, many wonderful places to discover, and an endless wealth of natural environment to explore [...]
