Snorkeling in Bali

Blue Lagoon is located in Karangasem, very close to Padang Bai harbour. It can be visited from the mainland or via small boats called 'jukung', which makes it ideal for snorkellers and families.

It gets its name from the turquoise water that washes over the white sands. The coral reefs are so rich and colourful, and the underwater life is so diverse that you can even see turtles and moray eels swimming by. The best time to visit the Blue Lagoon is in the morning, as the waves are calmer and you can more fully enjoy both the surface and underwater.

Unlike other beaches, Tulamben does not have sand for its surface. Instead jet-black medium rocks cover the entire surface of the beach. To be honest, it's a bit of an effort to walk on this beach while keeping your balance, but when you get close to the water you can just throw your body in and let the waves help you to the deeper areas (a useful trick).

Tulamben has been known for years to be a popular spot for snorkelling, which is mainly due to the sunken cargo ship: the USAT Liberty. However, due to its depth, it's only possible to really explore the whole shipwreck by scuba diving. But don't worry, you can still see the top of the ship while snorkelling.

Tulamben's shipwreck is famous, but I don't think you should miss the coral gardens either. Located close to the shipwreck, this spot is more interesting to me because the corals are denser and healthier, and you can easily spot clownfish hiding in the anemones that sway vibrantly.

Menjangan, located within the West Bali National Park, is known for both its land and underwater beauty. Menjangan translates to 'deer' in Indonesian, so the name certainly gives you an idea of what the island is like. Yep, large numbers of deer live freely on the island's plains, attracting many people to come and spend a few days for some peace and tranquility.

As it is a protected national park, tourism here is highly regulated and, over time, has preserved the underwater life. Just being on the surface of the water, you can already see the underwater treasures on offer, along with massive colourful corals with many types of fish swimming around.

This is probably one of the favourite spots to snorkel for many tourists, and me too, to be honest. It just feels different to swim with a bunch of huge manta rays beside you.

Aside from the mantas, this spot also guarantees stunning underwater beauty, with a water area of around 20,057 hectares. Nusa Penida's underwater is home to approximately 296 different types of coral reefs, and 276 different species of fish.

Now, just so you're aware, although it's still part of Bali, Nusa Penida is not a place you can reach with your rented scooter. The island is about 30 minutes away from Bali, which you have to cross by fast boat from Sanur.

About a 1.5-hour drive from Denpasar by scooter, Amed is one snorkelling spot you shouldn't miss. The black sands give it an exotic feel, contrasting with the clear blue sea water and the lush green of the coconut trees.

With a diverse and healthy underwater environment, Amed is home to thousands of colourful fish, and the centrepiece of this snorkelling destination is the skeleton of a Japanese patrol boat that was sunk in World War II. If you're lucky, you might even bump into turtles, stingrays and reef sharks!

However, with its strong winds and frequent high waves, Amed is probably not a perfect place for snorkelling if you're a beginner.

The ideal time to go snorkelling is the dry season, which runs from April to October. This period usually offers sunny weather and calm sea conditions, ensuring excellent visibility. On the other hand, the rainy season, from November to March, often brings heavy rainfall and turbulent waters, impairing visibility and detracting from the snorkelling and diving experience.

Now that you've bagged the best places to do your snorkelling, I'll give you a few tips that will come in handy, especially for beginners.

First things first, don't plan it during the rainy season. The sea will be rougher and the wind will blow harder, which leads to poor visibility and murky water.

Secondly, to enjoy the optimal snorkelling experience, I would suggest you to do it in the morning, from 9am to noon. During this timeframe, the water is usually calmer, and the sunlight enhances the clarity of the seafloor, making the colourful marine life and coral reefs more prominent. Also, by arriving early, you can avoid the crowds that gather later in the day.

Last but not least, stay hydrated! Snorkelling can be a strenuous activity for beginners. You'll be moving around a lot and need a lot of energy to keep your balance too, so staying hydrated is very important. Make sure to consume enough water before and after your snorkelling experience; this will greatly affect your overall condition later on. Okay folks, now are you ready for some underwater adventure?