Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
This spot has been added by
Last updated on November 10, 2022
Kanumera Bay shelters one of the nicest snorkel locations in the Isle of Pines. Its reef is small, 100 meters wide at most, but rich marine biodiversity gathers there. Dozens of colorful fish species live on the branching coral reef, including angelfish, groupers, clownfish, and a diversity of damselfish.
Kanumera Bay is located in Kuto, on Isle of Pines’s south coast. It is easy to get there by car. Those staying at one of the area’s hotels and guesthouses can also walk to the bay. Once on the beach, walk to Kanumera Rock, the rock located almost at the center of the bay. Do not climb on it, as it is taboo (some locals consider it a sacred place).
The recommended snorkeling area extends on the left-hand side of Kanumera Rock when looking at it from the beach. Enter the water next to this area.
The snorkel area encompasses the small coral reef fringing the rock’s eastern side, as well as the seagrass meadows extending between the shore and the reef. Snorkeling and swimming are not allowed on a 10-meter-large strip around the western side of the rock (see map) in order to let coral regenerate in the shallowest areas.
The coral reef gently slopes on a deeper sandy bed (↕9-15ft/3-5 meters). A great variety of corals can be seen there, and corals located out of the reach of swimfins are well preserved. The underwater landscape is dominated by branching and finger coral, sometimes punctuated by table coral.
This spot is full of fish: while snorkeling the reef, you will discover a thriving underwater life. Damselfish, wrasses, and butterflyfish abound above the coral. Small angelfish (like the keyhole angelfish) can easily be spotted here. Parrotfish, rabbitfish and surgeonfish are also common on the reef.
Kanumera rock is also a great location to spot clownfish. Reach the specific area where sea anemones cover the seabed, at the reef’s southern end (↕6-9ft/2-3m). Two species abound here: the Barrier Reef anemonefish and the fire clownfish.
In the seagrass meadows (see map above), lucky ones might spot a sea turtle or a stingray.
This shallow spot boasting quiet waters and easy beach access is suitable for beginners and families.
There are no snacks nor restaurants next to the spot, but a few accommodation options can be found less than 500m from the rock, either in Kanumera Bay (Nataiwatch Guest House, Ouré Lodge Beach Resort) or in Kuto Bay (Kou-Bugny hotel). Note that you will have to walk for about 900 m to reach the spot from the neighboring IGESA resort in Kuto Bay.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
