Snorkeling the Indian Ocean Islands | The best snorkeling spots in Indian Ocean

Renowned for the beauty and richness of its underwater world, the Indian Ocean has a wide range of contrasting islands. You can choose between Maldives‘ vibrant reef drop-offs, Seychelles‘ mineral landscapes, the coral reefs of Mauritius or the vast lagoon of Mayotte, where green turtles abound and where, if you are lucky, you may come across a manta ray or a dugong.

Many Indian Ocean islands offer secluded and remote snorkeling locations, away from crowds and tourist hotspots. These sites provide a more serene and intimate experience.

Snorkeling in the Indian Ocean islands offer an extraordinary and unforgettable experience, combining pristine turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs and a rich diversity of marine life.

One thing is sure, whatever island you explore, you will come back home from the Indian Ocean islands with unforgettable underwater memories.

Snorkeling destinations in the Indian Ocean Islands

Seychelles

(24 spots online)

Thanks to the island’s well-preserved, pristine bays and lagoons, the coastline of Seychelles islands offers wonderful conditions to go snorkeling. With amazing sights to be seen, including tropical fish, loads of hawksbill sea turtles and eagle rays, as well as occasional mantas and sharks, there i (...)

Maldives

(16 spots online)

With hundreds of islands and atolls lying in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives offers visitors an underwater adventure like no other. In this island-hopping paradise, you can freely explore unspoiled lagoons surrounded by colorful coral reefs, where the marine life thrives. Snorkeling around the atolls (...)

Mauritius

(14 spots online)

Casuarina-fringed beaches, gin-clear sea and blue sky... welcome to Mauritius! Blessed with an extensive lagoon, abundant marine life, and dramatic topography, Mauritius is a good destination for snorkelers of all experience levels. Although showing signs of declining reef health, the island's shore (...)

Mayotte

(6 spots online)

Mayotte is the hidden gem of Southwestern Indian Ocean. This small French island is surrounded by a 1,500 square kilometers lagoon, the largest in Indian Ocean. Home to dolphins, whales, manta rays and dugong, it is considered one of the most beautiful snorkeling destination in southwestern Indian O (...)

Réunion Island

(11 spots online)

It is true that Réunion Island, a volcanic and mountainous French island located in southwestern Indian Ocean, may not compete with other tropical destinations in terms of idyllic picture-postcard beaches. Even so, 15 miles of the island’s western and southern coastline are fringed by lagoons and sh (...)

Madagascar

(2 spots online)

Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, is located off the southeast coast of Africa, in the western Indian Ocean. The coral reef stretching over 450km along its southwestern coast (the fifth largest reef in the world), but also the numerous islands and islets scattered along Madagascar (...)