South Pacific - Who has the best snorkeling?

[Reefing102]

Alright guys,

As I plan my next “big” vacation, I’m looking to snorkel pacific reefs. While subjective, I’m curious what country(ies) in the South Pacific (to include Australia as well as Fiji, Philippines, etc.) people think have the best snorkeling. I’ve snorkeled the Carribean reefs but I’m hoping to see the SPS covered reefs of the pacific. Anyway, please share your experiences. Photos are welcome to!

 

[Doctorgori]

Following …
Also curious: have you snorkeled on this side of the world yet?

I re read, can’t see apparently

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I snorkeled in the Philippines near Coron and loved it. Haven't been to any of the other places, so I can't compare.

 

[Jasonak]

Alright guys,

As I plan my next “big” vacation, I’m looking to snorkel pacific reefs. While subjective, I’m curious what country(ies) in the South Pacific (to include Australia as well as Fiji, Philippines, etc.) people think have the best snorkeling. I’ve snorkeled the Carribean reefs but I’m hoping to see the SPS covered reefs of the pacific. Anyway, please share your experiences. Photos are welcome to!

I lived in Australia and visit Hawaii as often as I can. I only went to the great barrier reef one time and it was the very bottom of the chain, was about 1.5 hour boat ride. I only snorkeled the one time living in Australia ( I lived by Sydney). Just wasn't my thing then. It was cool but I couldn't tell you what kind of coral there was or fish for that matter but there was allot. I do remember the atoll that we pulled up to was amazing something out of a dream. Visiability wasnt that great but that can happen any day anywhere. Hawaii there are great spots for snorkeling from shore all over. Lots of coral but only few different types. But it is nice to be able to jump in almost anywhere and do pretty decent snorkeling.
I also lived in the Caribbean and remember there clarity always being great but at the time the reefs were recovering from a hurricane Hugo.
Ive always wanted to try Fiji.

 

[Slocke]

@Stang67

 

[mjszos]

Palau looks incredible! I've never been but the pics/videos I've seen have been stunning.

 

[Reefer_Marc]

Have lived in the philippines for some time, its great for snorkeling and diving! Even in „ordinary“ spots you can find corals.
But for reefs i can recommend coron in palawan, especially the coral garden (available in local boat tours) or the island of siquijor, theres lots of dive shops that can show you the best reefs, my favorite there being „paliton wall“, a drop off wall that goes from coral reefs on 9 to 12 m to 40 meters down, full of corals.
So for snorkeling i would recommend coron, and for diving id say siquijor

 

[dansyr]

I'd suggest Micronesia too depending on what you're looking for - marshall islands, palau, FSM (pohnpei, chuuk/truk etc). It's a little harder to get to as not many flights and not as much infrastructure, but still enough. If you want the snorkeling equivalent of dive resort, some of these might not be the best so it depends on what you want - if you want more of a dive-package type with lots of non-aquatic activities (or non-marine activities) definitely go with the more infrastructured places outside of micronesia like Fiji / Philppines / Indo etc, although the more developed parts of micronesia like palau or guam might be close.

Pros of these places are that many are atolls so you can get easy-mode snorkeling in a sheltered lagoon but also the ocean-facing reefs on dropoffs on the outside edge.

 

[Reefing102]

Thanks for the information everyone! It’s definitely good to know

 

[Stang67]

Alright guys,

As I plan my next “big” vacation, I’m looking to snorkel pacific reefs. While subjective, I’m curious what country(ies) in the South Pacific (to include Australia as well as Fiji, Philippines, etc.) people think have the best snorkeling. I’ve snorkeled the Carribean reefs but I’m hoping to see the SPS covered reefs of the pacific. Anyway, please share your experiences. Photos are welcome to!

Big colonies Fiji.
Is there a reason your not Scuba certified?
Let me find some pix. In the meantime here's a video of Fiji.

 

[Jasonak]

Big colonies Fiji.
Is there a reason your not Scuba certified?
Let me find some pix. In the meantime here's a video of Fiji.

Is this a shore dive or do you have to go out on a boat ?

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

GBR has very good snorkeling but there are some problems to contend with. Quality locations are a fair distance from the mainland so you’re looking at having to join a tour group. Large areas of the reef can also get flogged by persistent SE winds at certain times of the year which can make the experience less than pleasant.

There is of course the lessor known but arguably better west coast reefs. Added bonus of snorkelling with whale sharks at right time of year.

Personally, I rate Solomon Islands and PNG as best in this part of the world. Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu etc are all nice as well.

 

[Reefing102]

Big colonies Fiji.
Is there a reason your not Scuba certified?
Let me find some pix. In the meantime here's a video of Fiji.

I just haven’t had the time/money to do it.

 

[wakejumper22]

Bora Bora was incredible.. probably he clearest water I’ve ever seen.. In the future I’d like to dive Okinawa, Japan as I’ve heard that is very nice.. Palau more exotic as well. Thailand was pretty cool in spots. Thailand we saw different things close clowns hosting anemones, bioluminescence etc. here are some pictures form Bora Bora a few years ago.

 

[radiata]

In the South Pacific, PNG is highly regarded. A friend who dove there wanted his ashes deposited there. But the natives are extremely unfriendly, so bring a backup boat with you. It isn't easy for scuba divers to get to.

In the Caribbean, it would have to be the reefs on the South Side of Cuba. Fidel Castro was a scuba diver, and he managed to prevent any development on the southern shore to protect his reef. It is supposedly still pristine because of the lack of development. Unfortunately, it is a long trip by a boat that you'd have to hire for a good week or more. You can't just depart from anywhere on the south shore, there's no place to depart from.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

In the South Pacific, PNG is highly regarded. A friend who dove there wanted his ashes deposited there. But the natives are extremely unfriendly, so bring a backup boat with you. It isn't easy for scuba divers to get to.

Port Moresby is pretty loose but you’re really just transiting through the airport there. Once you get out to the islands the locals are super friendly and will look after you well.