Yachting and snorkelling: the top 50 destinations in the world!

Sailing not only allows you to explore the seas from the surface but also to discover what beauty lies beneath. Whether you have your own boat or are renting one, the options for snorkelling and scuba diving are endless, from the crystal-clear waters of coral seas to the shipwrecks and caves found in the Mediterranean. Join us as we delve into the most captivating locations where sailing and snorkelling come together seamlessly.

Ultimately, the decision is yours but anyone can take up snorkelling with little to no prior training and basic equipment such as a mask, snorkel, and fins. In colder waters, a wetsuit is recommended, while a UV filter shirt is sufficient in tropical waters. It's definitely worth trying out snorkelling, and if you're comfortable with it and interested in exploring the deeper waters, move on to scuba diving. But don't worry, there are various levels of courses available for divers of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.

Many people are afraid to dive because of sharks and the perception of being attacked. The truth is, however, there is no animal in the sea that will attack us without reason. Most of the time it is a provoked attack, a reaction to human behaviour, or a change in the behaviour of a potentially dangerous animal, again brought about by humans. Find out how to appreciate these majestic creatures in our article We will convince you in the article — Overcome your fear of sharks: learn to love them instead!

The Mediterranean Sea in Spain has some of the best dive sites on the European continent. The water temperature here is comfortable most of the year, and even the visibility can be crystal clear, from 15 to 40 metres deep.

There are more than 1,000 islands in Croatia. In the azure Adriatic Sea, the water is exceptionally clear, which makes for great snorkelling and scuba diving. In the depths, there are many interesting sights, from caves and submerged rock walls to shipwrecks and even sunken planes.

4. Biševo Grotto or Blue Cave, island of Vis — a blue cave flooded with water where the light and shadows create a mesmerizing effect. The cave is also home to diverse marine life. Enter through the tunnel on the west side either by boat or diving. Depths range from 3-40 metres.

Diving in Montenegro is still in its infancy, so the beaches and dive sites remain largely unexplored. But don't miss out on these great locations:

7. Wreck of the SS Tihany — the remains of an Austro-Hungarian Navy cargo steamer that was wrecked in 1917 off the island of Školjić near the island of Unije. A short distance from it, the wreck of an ancient ship carrying amphorae (jug with 2 handles) lies on the seabed.

8. Blue cave, Lustica peninsula — another blue cave, this time on the open side of the Lustica peninsula near the mouth of the Boka Kotorska. Locals call it Plava šplilja. The blue ceiling of the cave is caused by the reflection of sunlight from the seabed. You'll also find a variety of marine life here.

Diving in Greece offers a unique experience of swimming and snorkelling among the ruins of ancient cities, as well as exploring a large number of shipwrecks. New laws passed in 2020 have also made it easier for recreational divers to access the many underwater archaeological sites along the country's coastline.

9.  The Sunken City of Olous (Crete) —  Near the windmills on the Spinalonga peninsula in Crete, you'll find a sunken city dating back to 3,000 BC. In calm seas, you can observe the remains of the buildings from land, but nothing beats snorkelling here. Visit Crete's famous Mirabel Bay where you'll encounter an abundance of marine life.

Italy is known for its historical landmarks and cuisine, but it also offers good diving opportunities, particularly during the summer. The Mediterranean Sea has witnessed a lot of marine traffic over the years, with many shipwrecks and cultural sites to explore, as well as breathtaking underwater views. Sardinia is a particularly appealing diving spot, especially for those who enjoy macro diving. The island also has a thriving diving community.

13. Isola Rossa, Sardinia — The coastline near the fishing village of Isola Rossa is renowned among diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. The underwater caves are full of life: colourful fish, red corals and sea daisies. It is no wonder that Sardinia is knowns as the European Caribbean.

Turkey also has plenty to offer, both above and below the water. We've picked out two of the best locations that are out of the ordinary.

14. Bodrum — an advanced dive site with colourful sea sponges, deep waters and caves, including one of the largest underwater museums in the world.

15. Kas — a great location for diving, with caves, reefs and wrecks that are teeming with marine life. Scuba divers can expect to encounter stingrays, tuna, eels, turtles and sharks making it well-suited for the more experienced. The Blue Hole, a major attraction in this area, is known for its vibrant array of tropical fish and reef sharks.

Slovenia is a lesser known spot for diving, but it is an interesting alternative.

16. Maona Rossa wreck — the remains of this cargo ship, which struck an underwater mine in 1945 and sank, can be found in the middle of Piran Bay at a depth of 21 metres. It is a very popular place among divers because of the easy access.

For scuba diving enthusiasts, Thailand is considered to be the holy grail. The diving season in Thailand lasts all year round, so there's no time of year to avoid the warm Thai waters.

Mention Malaysia and divers immediately think of one of the best diving destinations in the world, Sipadan. This small island, known as Pulau Sipadan in Malay, is located in the Celebes Sea off the coast of Sabah and boasts one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world, situated right in the centre of the Indo-Pacific Basin with remarkable marine biodiversity.

Located west of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde's underwater world boasts a diverse and abundant array of marine life. Divers can encounter everything from rays and vibrant schools of fish to ancient wrecks and reefs, as well as turtles, harmless sharks, and Cape Verdean yellowfins swimming among various coral species. During certain seasons, there are also opportunities to spot dolphins and whales. With its alternation of shipwrecks, rock formations, coral reefs, caves and rock walls, the underwater world has quite a lot to offer divers.

23 Choclasse, Sal — a large platform with many yellow coral polyps and schools of fish.

24. Farol Baio, Sal — ideal for snorkelling or shallow diving as you can admire many schools of fish and unusual species. There is also a small shipwreck with rocks and crevices teeming with coral.

25. Shark Bow, Boavista — the top of the reef lies at a depth of 22 metres, but an opening in the reef at 25 metres brings you to a magnificent area where sand sharks and large rays can be found. Only experienced divers can get in here.

Mexico offers a wide range of experiences for visitors, including beautiful beaches, rich history, delicious food, and scuba diving opportunities. Along with these, visitors can also explore the reefs of the Caribbean Sea, swim in the mystical cenote caves of the Yucatán, and encounter larger animals in the wild waterways of the West Coast.

Cenotes in particular have made Mexico famous among all the world's divers, but the country offers everything from a rainbow array of reef fish to a mix of large marine animals such as sharks, whales and sea lions. Water temperatures here range from 21 to 29 degrees, with the best visibility in July and August

26. Yucatán Peninsula — cenotes, or flooded sinkholes, which form huge cave systems stretching across the entire Yucatán Peninsula. From June to September, whale sharks move around the island but snorkelling is possible.

French Polynesia is one of the best places to dive and snorkel in the world. Expect warm waters, great visibility and healthy populations of wildlife from sharks to schools of neon-coloured puffins.

29 Tiki Point (Moorea) — lemon sharks, great visibility. Opportunity to see dolphins, whales and lots of sharks — even hundreds in one dive.

30. Tahuata, Hiva Oa (Marquesas) — Hiva Oa is a unique diving spot in the Marquesas, known for its steep rock face where divers can encounter sharks and giant rays.

31. Garuae Pass (Fakarava) — a rock face with several hundred sharks. Mostly diving in currents for experienced divers.

32. Tiputa Strait (Rangiroa) — a site with dolphins, rays and giant hammerheads.

The island chain of the Seychelles is another paradise for divers. With over 100 islands, most of which are uninhabited, and relatively few tourists, the Seychelles guarantees amazing diving opportunities.

The Seychelles is made up of 115 islands, with most of the population residing on La Digue, Praslin, and Mahé. The best time for diving is between October and December and March to May, where the underwater visibility is typically between 25 and 40 metres. Although visibility is lower during the windy season, the wind brings in a lot of plankton, making it an ideal time to spot whale sharks and giant manta rays.

As it's virtually impossible to choose from the best locations in the Caribbean, we'll offer you something from each country.

The diving here is truly world-class. But with over 7,000 islands, 13 sovereign island states and 12 overseas territories, you'll have plenty to choose from when selecting your Caribbean dive destination.

36. St. Croix (US Virgin Islands) — The reefs are home to more than 500 marine species including fish, turtles, seahorses, octopus, rays, sharks, eels and moray eels.

Like many other smaller Caribbean nations, Cuba has a vibrant culture and history, a fantastic climate and spectacular wildlife on land and in the water. However, Cuba is often overlooked by divers, which is one reason why taking this more authentic trip with fewer tourists should be on your to-do list. Diving conditions can be challenging in Cuba, but the best time to visit for diving is from December to April when the weather is dry and the crowds are thinner.

40. Dive at Jardines del Rey — a separate ecosystem, which is also home to the largest population of flamingos outside the US. You'll find approximately 30-40 dive sites here.

41. Varadero — interesting underwater topography with caves, cenotes and sloping coral gardens. There are more than 20 dive sites and wrecks to be found.

Diving in Panama is influenced by whether you explore the Pacific or Caribbean side. The Isthmus of Panama, which links North and South America, was formed over 2 million years ago and offers hundreds of kilometres of coastline on both sides. Its unique narrowness makes it a rare destination where you can dive in both the Pacific and Caribbean oceans in the same day.

The diversity of diving opportunities in Florida makes it difficult to select the best dive spots and it ultimately comes down to an individual's specific interests and what they hope to experience.

46. Cayman Salvager — a wreck for advanced divers with a 57m deep artificial reef. The wreck rises dramatically from the sandy seabed and its bow juts out above the surface. 

47. Blue Heron Bridge — This site for intermediate divers routinely makes it to the list of the best dive sites in the United States. It is shallow and easily accessible, just be aware of the restrictions during high tide when you go.

48 Ten Fathom Ledge Reef — Coral structures start at 10 metres and drop down to 36 metres on the ocean side of the ledge. The Gulf Stream maintains high visibility and the ledge offers views of large pelagic fish.

49. Maritime Heritage Trail, Biscayne National Park — the perfect place to learn about South Florida's maritime history. It is also possible to scuba dive and snorkel at other sites in the Biscayne National Park.