Clownfish, made popular by Disney/Pixar movie “Finding Nemo”, are one of the stars of the coral reef. Their bright colors, clumsy swim, and their ability to shelter among the tentacles of sea anemones make them one of the nicest fish to observe. Some thirty species, with specific distributions, populate the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Red Sea. Check out our 10 favorite snorkeling spots to see clownfish!
Siladen Island, located north of Sulawesi and entirely fringed by coral reefs, offers fabulous drop-offs where almost 10 species of clownfish can easily be seen, in less than 6 feet of water. It includes the spinecheek anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus), the biggest clownfish species. Females of this species -on the left on the picture above- can grow up to 17 centimeters.
Many Red Sea clownfish (Amphiprion bicinctus) inhabit Ras Um Sid’s reef drop-off, in Sharm el-Sheikh. Some of them have settled in their sea anemones in less than 2 feet of water, and are always ready to have their photo taken!
Red Sea clownfish can be seen in many locations on the Red Sea coastline of Egypt, especially at Dahab’s Blue Hole and in Abu Dabbab, in Marsa Alam area.
With its reef flat covered with seagrass and its stunning reef drop-off full of coral, Wakatobi Resort’s house reef is a top snorkeling spot. Here, at the heart of Wakatobi National Park, you may spot up to a dozen anemonefish species.
With its stunning limestone formations rising majestically above the turquoise water, El Nido is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines. To visit and snorkel the area, you’ll have 4 standardized boat tours (A, B, C and D) to choose from, with different destinations. All these tours, and especially Tour C, allow snorkelers to encounter ocellaris clownfish, spinecheek anemonefish and Clark’s anemonefish.
Do you feel like swimming with dozens of clownfish, in a few meters of water and above a spectacular reef drop-off? Then head for South Beach, in Aqaba Marine Park, where Red Sea clownfish (Amphiprion bicinctus), endemic to the region, can be seen everywhere.
Oro Bay Natural Pool, “carved” in the coral, is a small underwater paradise. Wear your mask and discover this open-air aquarium, where fire clownfish and Barrier Reef anemonefish are easy to spot.
Located on the outer reef of the Great Barrier, Opal Reef boasts a spectacular underwater life. Snorkeling above the reef slopes, you may spot orange clownfish, pink skunk clownfish, Barrier Reef anemonefish and spinecheek anemonefish.
Bamboo Island, located approximately 3 miles off the northern tip of Koh Phi Phi, is home to the ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris). You will find them in the sea anemones that settled on the reef in the reef flat, some 6 to 9ft deep.
Anemonefish at the foot of your overwater bungalow? Head to Sofitel Moorea! Floating in the lagoon’s crystal clear waters, you will discover a brightly colored sea life, including orangefin anemonefish. Found only a few meters from the beach and in less than 5ft of water.
Snorkel the shallow, rocky waters off Furuzamami Beach on the east coast of Zamami, one of the Kerama Islands, and you’ll swear you’re in the clownfish paradise. Several species, which most commons are tomato clownfish, Clark’s anemonefish and pink skunk clownfish, inhabit the sea anemones found off this stunning beach.
Fascinated by anemonefish? ➡ Check out our anemonefish species online identification guide ➡ Discover our selection of fish ID books
This top10 has been selected only from the +380 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!
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