The 7 best beaches for snorkelling around the world

From swimming with manta rays in Australia to spying whale sharks in Mozambique, here are seven of the best beaches for snorkelling around the world.

Marsa Alam in Egypt is one of the few places in the world to spot the elusive dugong, a rare, lesser-known cousin of the manatee that’s long inspired mermaid myths and legends across cultures.

In Abu Dabbab, the shallow waters, protective reefs and abundant seagrass attract and sustain a small population of dugongs – affectionately dubbed ‘sea cows’ because of their grass-eating habits.

Other residents of the bay that can be found around the well-preserved coral reefs include giant sea turtles, parrotfish, angelfish, barracudas and seahorses, while the seafloor is home to stingrays.

Roatán is the largest and most developed of the Honduran Bay Islands, and one of the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean. Fringed by a diverse coral reef rich in tropical fish, the island is a diving and snorkelling paradise.

Head to West Bay to spot parrotfish, butterflyfish and angelfish, or head south to Mary’s Place, a site that revolves around a huge crevice where sea turtles, eagle rays and groupers often come up.

Mozambique offers plenty of superb snorkelling spots along its pristine Indian Ocean coastline. Here, warm turquoise waters, which lap dune-fringed beaches, abound with colourful fish and corals.

The waters off Tofo Beach are particularly rich in marine biodiversity and most famous for their large whale shark population. It’s one of the few spots on the planet where they're found year-round.

Manta rays also grace these waters, along with sea turtles and dolphins. Add in the fact humpback whales stop by between June and October, and you’ll be adding Mozambique to your snorkel bucket list.

Indonesia’s Raja Ampat boasts fine white-sand beaches, hidden lagoons and impressive diversity of marine life and coral reef systems.

The marine life here is so astounding that scientists have described Raja Ampat as a biological hotspot. They believe its reef systems restock reefs throughout the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Snorkelers have free rein to explore Raja Ampat’s blue-water mangroves and a marine area that boasts reef fish, coral reef, several types of sea turtles and majestic manta rays.

Nestled in an ancient volcano crater, backed by palm trees and home to a 7000-year-old coral reef, Hanauma Bay is one of the most scenic and popular snorkelling spots in Hawaii.

Arrive early to beat the crowds, then wade right into the calm, shallow waters: hundreds of neon-coloured species of fish, corals, eels and sea turtles await not far from the white-sand beach.

The bay is part of a nature preserve and marine-life conservation area. It’s closed on Tuesdays to minimise the impact on the ecosystem, and a maximum of 3000 visitors are allowed on any given day.

The Great Barrier Reef's southernmost coral cay, Lady Elliot Island offers some of the best snorkelling in Australia and is best known for its manta rays, nesting sea turtles and eco-credentials.

Explore coral gardens and marine life, including giant manta rays, barracudas and leopard sharks. The lagoon on the eastern side is best for beginners, while the western side is deeper.

Sitting in one of the Great Barrier Reef's 'Green Zones', the island has the highest level of environmental protection – which is also enjoyed by the humpback whales that migrate through.

A volcanic archipelago off Brazil's northeast coast, Fernando de Noronha is a fiercely protected eco-wonderland, favoured by naturalists and marine biologists, with a rugged coastline.

It's renowned for its undeveloped beaches and unparalleled snorkelling. You can spot sea turtles, rays, lemon and reef sharks and the world's highest concentration of resident spinning dolphins.

At Baía do Sancho, considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in Brazil, the sandy sea floor allows for boats to stop without damaging the coral.

Other good snorkelling points include Baía dos Porcos, Sueste, Morro de Fora and Porto, with its accessible shipwrecks teeming with marine life.

Some golden rules for responsible snorkelling:

- Never touch (with your hands or feet) corals or sea creatures. - Show respect to marine life and keep your distance at all times. - Avoid crowds.

- Choose reef-friendly sun cream, or, more simply, wear rash vests or skinsuits to avoid sunburn. - Pick responsible and ethical boat operators when embarking on snorkelling tours.

- Avoid using plastic when you travel as much as possible. - Consider volunteering for local beach cleans to help keep reefs healthy.

- Be safe, watch for currents and, if you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t venture out of your depth.