What could be better than diving into the cool blue water on a hot day and exploring the world below sea level? Nearly nothing! We believe snorkeling is a must-do activity on your travel itinerary. Therefore, it is important to let you discover with us the most beautiful snorkeling spots in Europe for your summer. This blog will give you a wide insight into spots from the gorges of Iceland to the hidden bays in Greece.
Top 10 Snorkeling Spots in Europe – Summary
- Chalkidiki, Greece
- Medas Islands, Spain
- Azores, Portugal
- Schmale Luzin, Germany
- Elba, Italy
- Banyuls-Cerbère, France
- Makarska, Croatia
- Silfra Column, Iceland
- Gothenburg, Sweden
- Walchensee, Germany
1. Chalkidiki, Greece
The first place you need to go to is Chalkidiki. It is a Greece peninsula and is always worth a visit, especially in summer. The island has a lot of bays with three headlands, which offer you a quiet snorkeling experience. Chalkidiki is perfect, especially for beach holiday lovers, as there are kilometers of white sandy beaches, turquoise blue water, and numerous restaurants right on the coast. Furthermore, the three headlands (also known as ‘Fingers of Greece’) are unique in their own way.
The first finger is Kassandra which houses long sandy beaches, olive groves, and pine forests with small viewpoints. Next, the second finger is Sithonia which is more of an insider tip. It is not overly developed with tourism, there are many quiet spots to look over at sea. Lastly, the third finger is Athos, an almost autonomous monastic republic. Overall, Chalkidiki is one of the perfect snorkeling spots in Europe, as the clear water is home to various aquatic creatures.
2. Medes Islands, Spain
Have you ever wondered – is there any coral reefs in Europe? The answer is yes and you can find one of the Europe’s most beautiful coral reefs in the Medes Islands. It is a nature reserve about 800m off the coast of Estartit, in Northeastern Spain. The area is strictly protected for conservation purposes, creating a well-preserved and beautiful ecosystem. You can find unique animals such as dusky groupers, dolphins, and barracudas during the snorkel.
Located off the coast of Costa Brava, the Medes Islands is quite remote and uninhabited. You should travel all-day by a boat to reach the snorkeling point. However, the long journey will be worth-it as you reach this one of the best snorkeling spots in Europe.
3. Azores, Portugal
Away from mass tourism, you will find the Azores, Portugal, an archipelago of nine islands in the Atlantic, which welcomes you with quiet beauty. Although there is no better place for nature lovers and adventurers, you will often find places where you are all alone. Moreover, as the islands form the tips of underwater volcanoes, there are unique natural phenomena, such as huge crater lakes. The largest islands are nature reserves and numerous other protected areas where nature conservation is prominent.
Additionally, the Azores are wonderful destinations for whale and dolphin watching. Furthermore, you can also watch sperm whales and many other marine mammals all year round. There are amazing snorkeling spots and diving opportunities here. Does this sound tempting to you?
4. Schmale Luzin, Germany
When we are talking about snorkeling in Europe, we are not just talking about coral reefs and the sea. Lake Schmale Luzin in Germany offers you a unique yet stunning experience. Located in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, it is a serene destination out of the tourist’s radar. The clear lake houses distinctive aquatic plants and several species of fish. You can see an ecosystem of 15 metres-tall plants growing on the depths of the lake. Moreover, catch glimpses of ducks, eagles, and otters in this amazing snorkeling spot in Europe.
5. Elba, Italy
The Italian island of Elba can be found in the Mediterranean with white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, and rugged rock formations. Moreover, Elba belongs to the Tuscan archipelago and lies between the mainland of Italy and the French island of Corsica. It is the third-largest island in Italy and can easily be reached by car ferry. As it is in the whole of the Mediterranean, the main season is between June and September, but spring is also beautiful here.
It is home to the largest nature reserve in Europe and has so much to offer; beautiful underwater landscapes, deep forests with oak, chestnut, and pine trees, as well as wine and olive groves. If you prefer sandy beaches, the South coast is perfect as the West and North are mainly stone beaches. When you’re ready to go diving, you can explore the old shipwrecks around the island, making it one of the perfect snorkeling spots in Europe.
6. Banyuls-Cerbère, France
The name says it all. In the French marine reserve Banyuls-Cerbère, you can explore the underwater trails. In fact, it is the first marine reserve in France and the only one at sea. This area is located at the foot of the Massif des Albères (in the Pyrenees) and covers approximately 650 hectares. More than 1200 species of marine life call this area their home. The best-known areas include the seagrass meadows, the seaweed corridor, and the Coralligène.
You can, of course, equip yourself with snorkeling on-site or explore the area with a glass-bottom boat. This area is about sensitizing visitors to the marine world so that you can collect a lot of interesting information.
7. Makarska, Croatia
The sunniest region in Croatia, Makarska, is a wonderful travel destination in the middle of Dalmatia. This region is known for its culinary offerings and easy access to the cultural metropolis of Split. There are also numerous beautiful beaches; in Makarska alone, there are five different sandy beaches! Furthermore, Makarska has been recognized as one of the best snorkeling spots in the Mediterranean. Even better – in Europe.
The region features clear turquoise waters, outstanding underwater rock formations, and diverse marine life. You can encounter a myriad of fish schools as you splash into the waters. As you swim deeper into the ocean, you can spot intriguing karst and coral formations. Shellfish, starfishes, lobsters, or even moray eels live among them.
8. Silfra Column, Iceland
The Silfra column in Iceland is one of the world’s most beautiful and impressive snorkeling spots in Europe. On sunny days you can see up to 100m through the crystal-clear water, and it is the only place in the world where you can snorkel between two continental columns. The column is in Thingvellir National Park, which is very popular in Iceland, mainly because you can see the activity of the continental plates over the past thousands of years. Here you can walk through deep cracks and long gorges, which can be found underwater.
A tip that you should definitely keep in mind: due to the constant water exchange, the water only has a temperature of 2-4 ° C all year round! So this adventure would not be tropical and rather cool. But that doesn’t mean it’s no less impressive. If anything, this is a unique experience. The column definitely belongs on your travel bucket list.
9. Gothenburg, Sweden
Around 30 minutes west of the Swedish city of Gothenburg, you will find a unique underwater path where you can get to know the ocean. The nature reserve around the island of Stora Amundön is your goal. Moreover, the approximately 200m long underwater path that leads you along the island with a maximum depth of 3m is one of the perfect snorkeling spots in Europe. On the water’s surface, you can see through buoys where information points are set on the path. Additionally, there are a total of 10, where you can learn something about the local flora and fauna.
Due to numerous reasons, Gothenburg is definitely worth a visit. The second-largest city in the country is a destination for all budgets, because around the city you will find multiple campsites in the middle of nature, or if you are looking for a nice accommodation in the middle of the city, as a contrast.
10. Walchensee, Germany
About 75km South of Munich, you will find this idyllic lake, which will greet you with alpine flair. In summer, the lake is an emerald green color, while in winter, cool blue dominates. At 198m, it is the deepest lake in Upper Bavaria, and only Lake Constance is deeper (the lake is at 800m!). But don’t worry; even though the Walchensee is high, summer temperatures near the shore can also exceed 20 ° C.
Moreover, the lake is particularly popular with divers due to its depth and special nature. The rich color makes it very special to dive into the water, and the silence is overwhelming as no motorized boats are allowed on the lake, so the water has drinking quality. There are many stories and legends surrounding the lake because diving makes you come into a completely different world. Bizarre rocky outcrops, algae meadows, and numerous lake dwellers await you, and even a VW Beetle! Its unique ecosystem makes it one of the best snorkeling spots in Europe that you must try.
Those are the best snorkeling spots in Europe that you and your travel buddies can explore worldwide. Not enough? JoinMyTrip has more to offer just for you. There are many trips around the world guided by like-minded TripLeaders that will take you on the best adventures of your lifetime. So, get ready for that and book your next vacation with JoinMyTrip now!