ActivitiesSnorkelling

Snorkelling

Plan a group snorkelling trip where the keen ones chase reefs all day and the rest float, beach and laze.

Good forCoral reefsTurtles + mantasFirst-timersNon-swimmers welcome

Works for a reef-mad crew or a mixed group - the keen ones snorkel reef after reef, everyone else beaches and floats

Start a Snorkelling trip

turtle in the shallows

drift over a reef wall

boat picnic, white sand bay

Best regions

SE Asia · Indonesia + Thailand

Season

Varies by site - see spots

Level

First mask to confident drifts

Budget / person

€30-120 a day · illustrative

Why it works as a group

Snorkelling is the easiest way to get a whole group in the water - but the keen ones want reef after reef and a boat all day, and the rest just want a calm bay, a float and a beach. Manta plans it as one trip: reef-hop boat days for the keen, sheltered house reefs and beach days for everyone else, all from one base and one plan.

Pick by region or by spot. Each place below has its own reefs, currents and marine life - add the ones that suit your crew to a plan, and Manta sorts the boats, the gear and the budget.

Top places

Each links to its full destination guide - add any to a plan.

Indonesia

Raja Ampat

Oct-Apr · all levels

The richest reef on Earth, much of it in snorkel-shallow water - mantas, turtles and coral gardens straight off the jetty.

View guide

Thailand

Koh Tao

Year-round · beginner

Warm, calm, shallow bays full of fish and turtles - the friendliest place in the region for first-timers and non-swimmers.

View guide

Indonesia

Komodo

Apr-Nov · confident

Drift snorkels over current-fed reefs, mantas at Manta Point and pink-sand beaches between boat stops.

View guide

Itineraries

Reef-hoppers + floaters

Mixed snorkel crew, 7 days

7 days

Base near a good house reef
Boat reef-hop for the keen ones
Sheltered bay + beach for the rest
Shared manta or turtle morning
Island picnic day
Rest + viewpoint day
Slow checkout

Use this itinerary

Beginner-friendly

First-timer reef week, 6 days

6 days

Calm bay basics on day one
Build up to easy reef drifts
Turtle-spotting boat day
Beach BBQ to celebrate

Use this itinerary

FAQ

Can non-swimmers and first-timers come?

Yes - that's the point. Calm, shallow bays, floatation vests and patient guides make it easy, and beach days run alongside for anyone who'd rather stay dry. Pick a sheltered base like Koh Tao to start.

Do we need to bring our own gear?

Usually not - masks, snorkels and fins are rentable everywhere, though fussy snorkellers often bring their own mask for fit. Manta notes what's worth packing for each spot.

What's the difference from diving for a group?

Snorkelling needs no certification, gear or training, so the whole group can join from day one. It's the lowest-barrier way to share the reef while the divers, if any, go deeper.

Are the currents safe?

It varies - places like Komodo have strong drifts best done with guides, while Koh Tao's bays are calm and beginner-safe. Manta flags the gentle spots and where a guided boat is essential.