Destinations: Africa & The Middle East

There are few better ways to escape the daily grind than by snorkelling – effortlessly floating through tranquil waters, a kaleidoscope of vibrant fish and mesmerising sea creatures all around.

With up to 80 percent of all earthly life located in the seas, there’s no shortage of remarkable creatures to encounter. And memorable aquatic adventures can be had near shore with a mask, fins and snorkel. Snorkellers can experience the intense natural beauty of the underwater world without heavy equipment or time-consuming certification – which means no matter what your level of experience, the ocean’s beauty is within reach.

To help you make plans to swim with sea turtles or mingle with manta rays, we reveal our top nine places to snorkel in the world.

Why it’s special: Swim with manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve

Nearly 1,200 picture-perfect coral islands come together in the Indian Ocean to form the magical Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru offers the unique opportunity to snorkel with sea turtles, docile reef sharks, vividly coloured fish and even the occasional dolphin.

The indescribable experience of snorkelling amid the giant, notoriously rare manta rays and whale sharks is not to be missed. Join a marine biologist from the Resort for an escorted snorkelling and manta ray adventure, or hop aboard the Four Seasons Explorer for a magical boating foray into the ocean around the Maldives.

Why it’s special: Unique lava rocks and secret coves abound

With its abundance of tranquil beaches, sheltered coves and crystal-clear water, it’s no wonder Maui is a classic family favourite for fun in the sea. You’ll find an abundance of snorkelling sites around the island, but don’t miss a visit to the Ahihi Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Get the gear you need at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, just a stone’s throw from the nature reserve and right on Wailea – a great place for beginners.

Watch for signs for the reserve on Makena Road, just past Big Beach. From here, look for Waiala Cove, an ideal spot just 100 yards (91 metres) into the reserve. The nooks and crannies of the lava rocks make perfect homes for a vast array of exotic fish, coral, eels and sea turtles. The site is easy to access; you need only go a few metres into the water before swirling schools of fish arrive to nibble at your feet.

Why it’s special: The Japanese Gardens’ one-of-a-kind granite boulders, home to spectacular coral and aquatic life

Surrounded by tranquil, cerulean water and dotted with enchanting bays and beaches, the small island of Koh Tao, Thailand, is synonymous with world-class diving and snorkelling, and only a short jaunt from Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui.

After exploring the Japanese Gardens, named for its spectacular boulders covered with ornate hard and soft coral, continue your adventure at Aow Leuk, one of Koh Tao’s most beautiful beaches. Baby sharks, clownfish, triggerfish and blue spotted rays all come out to swim in this underwater playground.

Why it’s special: 76 world-class dives within a short boat ride

Abundant reefs, colourful fish, historic shipwrecks: The Red Sea is a spectacular playground for divers and snorkelers. Spot turtles, sharks, lionfish, rays and eels among the coral gardens and clear waters, and with a variety of sites so close to Sharm El Sheikh, snorkellers of all skill levels can find their ideal depth. The House Reef at Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is the perfect place for beginners to get their feet wet; the private and secluded spot ranges in depth from 5 metres to 40 metres, and is easily accessible from the Resort’s swimming jetty,

The underwater adventure doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Don’t miss the opportunity for a chance to explore the reef under the light of a full moon – even without lights, visibility reaches an impressive depth of 10 metres. It’s an otherworldly evening, made even more enchanting by the glow of bioluminescent plankton.

Why it’s special: The world’s largest coral reef and more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays

The Great Barrier Reef is perhaps the most iconic diving and snorkelling destination in the world, and the exceptional beauty of this natural wonder warrants the reputation that precedes it. The easiest way to experience the grandeur of this underwater marvel is to join any of the boat tours that take snorkellers to various spots along the reef. Most snorkellers and divers choose to base themselves in Cairns, but Port Douglas and Townsville also offer easy access to beautiful swims.

If you prefer to stay as close to the action as possible, try a visit to the small but lovely Heron Island, a coral cay located at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have the opportunity to mingle with 60 percent of the species of fish that live along the Great Barrier Reef. Easy-to-access snorkelling spots right off the beach are notable bonuses.

After exploring the world under the waves, head down the coast to Four Seasons Hotel Sydney for an adventure on top of them – the famous swells at nearby Bondi Beach are perfect for beginners and pros alike.

Why it’s special: Drift snorkelling with the current, and crystal-clear water abounding with majestic manta rays

Bali is frequently referred to as the “Island of the Gods,” and it’s a fitting name. But what many travellers don’t realise is that extraordinary biodiversity and pockets of calm water surround Bali. A day trip from Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay will take you to one of the best snorkelling sites just off the island: Nusa Lembongan.

Spot more than 250 species of fish, along with sharks, coral and mesmerising manta rays. The crystal-clear water and calm bays are ideal for all levels of skill. For further exploration underwater, hire a private boat from the Resort and head to Manta Point, Crystal Bay and Mangrove Point, three popular snorkelling sites around Nusa Lembongan.

Why it’s special: Feeding sharks at the Lagoonarium

If you yearn to get closer to sharks, a visit to Bora Bora should be at the top of your bucket list. In this Polynesian paradise, a close encounter with blacktip reef and lemon sharks is almost a given, along with rays, turtles, dolphins and colourful coral teeming with reef fish.

Stay in a beachfront villa at the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora and slip into the water right off your bungalow to explore the underworld through your mask. Join a local guide on n motorized outrigger canoe – a tribute the traditional Polynesian seafaring vessel – and visit three spectacular snorkelling spots: see dreamlike coral structures at Coral Garden; swim with stingrays in the lagoon’s shallow waters; and the Pacific Ocean, where schools of blacktip reef sharks and lemon sharks roam.

Explore more water adventures in Bora Bora >

Why it’s special: Rock formations and waterways near an uninhabited island, and underwater swim-through tunnels

While many covet sand space in Cancún, the Riviera Nayarit – and more specifically the sleepy fisherman’s village of Punta Mita – remains one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets. Right at the heart of this gem is Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, the perfect jumping-off point for aquatic adventures in the region, even offering prime snorkelling for beginners near the Resort.

The clear blue water and distinctive rock formations along the coastline provide chances to swim with eagle rays, moray eels, starfish and seahorses. You can also expect vibrant coral reefs, underwater caves and the occasional visit from a friendly pod of dolphins.

Florida Keys

Why it’s special: Spectacular coral and diverse marine life in the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S.

The sublime underwater landscape in the Florida Keys supports a vivid array of colourful coral and sea sponges, along with marine life such as sharks, turtles and multitudes of tropical fish. And it’s all an easy day trip from Four Seasons Hotel Miami.

In Key Largo, home to the immensely popular Molasses Reef, you can swim among some of the Keys’ healthiest and most colourful coral, along with stingrays, eels, Goliath grouper and various shark species. Farther south, the charming village of Islamorada is a secret sweet spot boasting numerous patch reefs (isolated platforms of coral) where you’ll encounter barracudas, sea turtles, and – if you’re lucky – hammerhead sharks.