7 Awesome snorkeling destinations to visit in the winter months

We don’t like snowy weather and prefer spending the colder months somewhere warm among fish and corals, so we are always looking for winter snorkeling destinations. By now, we have some tested spots from the Caribbean to Asia, where we traveled to escape the coldest period of the year and found good sea life. If you need tips on where to go snorkeling in winter, here we collected some of our favorite countries with good marine life and perfect conditions with sunshine and pleasant water temperatures during December, January, and February.

Florida

Do you know why Florida’s official nickname is The Sunshine State? Yes, because the sun is shining. Even in winter! That’s why Florida is the best place to visit in the US to get some winter sun.

If you travel here in December or January, you can expect pleasant weather with average air temperatures of 20 °C (68 °F). The maximum temperatures could reach 25 °C (77 °F), but the real feel can be over 30 °C (86 °F) on wind-free days.

Florida snorkeling sites await you with 22-23 °C (71-74 °F) sea temperatures, which is suitable for water activities. We visited Florida several times, two times in December, and we experienced perfect weather; we had a few cloudy, chillier days, on which we went to explore some land attractions, but the conditions were excellent for snorkeling on most days.

So what are you waiting for? Enjoy the sun this winter in Florida! Spend a day in the John Pennekamp Coral State Park, drive the breathtaking Overseas Highway to explore Key West snorkeling beaches, and forget about the cold winter days while swimming with turtles and nurse sharks!

Mexico

Beautiful white sandy beaches, rich culture, and diverse landscape. These features make Mexico one of the most popular winter sun holiday destinations, which actually has good snorkeling too. Year after year, travelers from all over the world choose to spend their winter holiday in the cozy tourist destinations of the Yucatan Peninsula like Tulum, Playa del Carmen or Cancun.

Mexico was another winter snorkeling destination we visited in December. The air was warm but not unbearably hot (around 28-30 °C, 82-86 °F), making it great for enjoying the outdoors. The sea was warm enough (25-27 °C, 77-80 °F) for any water activity, but of course, we chose snorkeling.

We went snorkeling in the Punta Nizuc Underwater Museum in Cancun in Puerto Morelos, swam with turtles in Akumal, discovered the magical world of the cenotes in Tulum, and visited some snorkel spots in Cozumel! If you are looking for good snorkeling this winter, add Mexico to your list!

Dutch Caribbean

The Caribbean region is a popular beach destination all year round but is mainly famous as a winter holiday destination. There are many fantastic snorkeling spots in the Caribbean, but our favorites are the ABC Islands, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, which have some of the clearest water and best marine life in the region.

We liked Bonaire and Curacao a lot, but if we chose just one, it would be Aruba, which is often called “One Happy Island.” We absolutely understand why; we met some nice locals on the island and would be back anytime!

Thanks to its laid-back vibes and friendly people, many visitors return year after year to this destination to enjoy the sun and sea and, of course, the fantastic marine life. Aruba has many good snorkeling sites, from beginner-friendly shallow reefs to shipwrecks. We liked Mangel Halto and Arashi Beach the most, but the famous Antilla wreck is also a must-see. The island’s tropical-like winter weather with 25-29 °C (77-84 °F) air temperatures and 27 °C (81 °F) sea temperatures provides perfect conditions to recharge your batteries!

Thailand

Many travelers think about Southeast Asia first if they are planning a winter getaway, with Thailand topping the list. We agree; even we chose to visit this country in the winter season (once at the of December and once at the end of February). However, you should know that the climate is different on the east coast (Gulf of Thailand) and the west (Andaman Sea).

Therefore, if you plan to go snorkeling in Thailand during the winter months, stay around Phuket and Krabi or visit the Similan Islands, where there is a dry season at that time.

Philippines

Another destination in Asia with good winter weather is the Philippines. This green archipelago with more than 7000 islands is the best to visit between November and April, which is the dry season with little chance of rain.

In this period, the whole country is accessible. You can get to the most pristine beaches and untouched coral reefs, that are closed in the wet season.

Expect to have hot-humid tropical weather and warm seas. For the best snorkeling, consider visiting the Apo Reef National Park, Bohol, Batangas, or Palawan, just to mention a few of the thousands of heavenly coral islands of the Philippines. You won’t be disappointed with the underwater sights!

Maldives

If you are wondering what the dreamiest winter sun holiday destination is, don’t search any further; book a trip to the Maldives. We know that nowadays, every other person travels to the Maldives when it is cold at home, but believe me, it is a real tropical paradise with some of the most picturesque white sandy beaches and fantastic sea life.

You can go snorkeling in the Maldives year-round. We went even in the wet seasons (summer months) because that is when there is a higher chance of spotting certain creatures (read our post on how we went swimming with hundreds of manta rays in Hanifaru Bay). Still, it is best during the winter months when the sea is calm and the chance of rain is low.

The Maldives coral reefs, however, were affected by El Nino and are pretty damaged, still feature rich marine life; you can swim with turtles, rays, and baby sharks! Do yourself a favor and let your childhood dream come true by booking a vacation at this dream destination! If you need help on which island to choose, we have a list of our favorite Maldives snorkeling resorts with detailed reviews on the ones we have already stayed in.

Egypt

There are many great winter sun holiday destinations in Europe in the Mediterranean, where you can find summery air temperatures even in the cold winter months, like Malta or Cyprus, but the sea temperatures will be too low for water activities. Therefore, we recommend choosing Egypt! Although it is in Africa, Egypt is the easiest accessible winter snorkeling destination from Europe.

Egypt beach destinations are available on a 3-to 4-hour flight from major European airports. In winter, the sea temperature is 23-24 °C (73-75 °F), meaning you can snorkel wearing a UV protection beach clothing. If you are sensitive to cold, get a neoprene snorkel suit. It will keep you warm for long hours in the water.

The air temperatures reach 24-26 °C (75-79 °F) during the day with real-feel around 30 °C (86 °F) on wind-free days. To decide what destination to choose, read our Egypt snorkel guide where we share detailed information on all major Red Sea coastal destinations.

In our personal experience, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam are the best destinations for a winter trip. The region of Sharm el Sheikh is free of strong currents and less windy, even in winter. Marsa Alam, lying in the south, enjoys slightly higher sea temperatures.

Moreover, thanks to the reduced number of tourists in winter, sea creatures return to the hotel’s house reefs after the busy summer, so you have a bigger chance to spot turtles and maybe even the famous dugong! The icing on the cake is that many resorts offer amazing winter deals. You can often get a two-week stay for a normal one-week price.

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