I’m a beginner snorkeler and right now I just want something to keep me a little warmer in September when I go to Marina di Bibbona. I’ll be staying close to shore but temperatures can start dipping in early to mid September so I want to make sure I can stay in the water longer than 15-20 minutes.

Thanks!

At the Papeete market or elsewhere – did you happen to see any Golden South Sea Pearls that had been imported into the country? As you mentioned you saw tons of pearls but assume they were the Tahitian Black Pearls.

Some cameras give the option of turning up the camera screen brightness, like the TG-7. But you should still expect it to be difficult.

Some camera housings, like the one for the TG-7, have available an accessory shade hood. But it is not a perfect solution. If you have too big of a shade, it can also make seeing the screen difficult when you are not looking straight into it.

You can also shade the screen with your other hand a bit.

Mostly though, when it is really sunny and bright and you are taking picture at the surface, you just have to get used to not seeing what you are taking a picture of very clearly, try to get the general shapes of things in the picture you want, take lots of pictures, and hope for the best.

I was picked up at my hotel in Denpasar by a driver from NusaBay Menjangan Resort. We drove 4.5 hrs right through central Bali into the highlands and then west along the northern coast. The private air-conditioned ride was 850,000 IDR or 47 USD which I thought was very reasonable. In Lubuan Lalang me and another resort guest took a short boat ride—25 minutes—in a small motor boat to their private jetty.

The house reef at NusaBay was not that interesting and a short boat ride to dive spots around Menjangan Island is the way to go here to enjoy the underwater world.

I do typically where 1.5, 2 or 3 mm neoprene when I snorkel in Indonesia as it has very nutrient rich water with lots of organisms that irritate my skin but you could also wear rash guard suit which helps, although you lose the benefits of buoyancy.

Happy snorkeling!

I have been to Wakatobi Dive Resort which was really nice but best resort I have been to was Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Spa. I may write a snorkel report about that area around Manado which has a very lively underwater world.

We prefer resorts with house reefs, where we are left alone to snorkel at our own pace, whenever we want, for as short or long as we want.

Do you still recommend a neoprene suit everywhere?

Looking forward to hearing and seeing your pictures!

Hi Sue, we personally visited in October and did not experience much if any trash. We have heard no reports of excessive trash from our partner’s trips, though we are sure there has been some, as it is inevitable everywhere in Indonesia. Their trips are generally scheduled in September and May, which follows the recommendation above for spring and fall being the best season.

What a great post! Beautiful, thank you.

I’m so with you on going slower and slower (and often, not “going,” at all) – I’m learning to see in a whole new way. And with just being quiet in the water, I’m finding that the amazing creatures either pass by, or I eventually spot them, in their hideaways…

I go to Roatan almost every year, and though the deterioration of the reef is excruciating, for me, snorkeling there is still an incredible experience – although I did give up West Bay/West End entirely – waaaaay too many people, and way too many boats whizzing past, as soon as the rising sun reaches the beach, it’s over … 🙁

Nicole, how much trash have your snorkelers encountered?

We absolutely loved Misool and Wakatobi! That trip was outstanding.

I was in Moorea last December. Can’t say the snorkeling was that good. I travel—to snorkel. Only the northeast side south of the airport and around the “bulge”. Current can be strong and winds can make it impossible to snorkel. We stayed in a bed and breakfast just north of the ferry landing; this provided the best snorkeling. I was told the fish dart away because the area is fished so much by locals. We did like the island and culture and after much research—the bed and breakfast’s that we chose were perfect.

Thank you for such an honest review. I am planning a trip in January 2027.

Sandy, if you are looking for very calm lake-like water, shallow reefs, colorful healthy coral, and interesting critters, I highly recommend Sharm el Sheik (bottom “point” of the Sinai Peninsula) in the Red Sea.

I grew up snorkeling all over south Florida and The Bahamas as a child, along with trips to Hawaii, so I will say I am a bit of a “reef snob”. So I was SUPER impressed with the Red Sea–pleasantly surprised at how healthy the reef was in May 2023 when I visited. And let me tell you, having NO current to constantly fight against was a real treat!

The reef was right off the beach of the super bougie resort we were staying at. I don’t know if more reasonably priced hotels are in the area–I saw lots of ultra-luxury resorts in our area. If it were closer and cheaper, I would be at the Red Sea more often!