Objective: find the best destinations in Europe to do snorkel. Although we have called our planet Earth, It should not be forgotten that 70%, Approximately, it is covered with water. However, even though the natural beauties of the terrestrial surface are very well known, not so much those that are found under the waters of seas, rivers or lakes. The reason is obvious: you have to dive to discover them.
And in certain cases, we don't need to be professional divers and descend tens of meters to be able to admire those wonders underwater. Simply equipped with diving goggles, fins and tube, we will have within our reach an explosion of color and life that perhaps we would not have been able to imagine.
Snorkeling in Cala Marmols, Majorca.
Some very popular spots for snorkeling are the Australian Barrier Reef, the Caribbean Sea or the waters of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia, but we do not need to travel so far to enjoy this activity, because in our continent there are also spectacular places in which to immerse ourselves.
We propose them the best destinations in Europe which will almost certainly achieve captivate you if you are looking to snorkel.
Berlengas Islands, the paradise of Portugal that you still do not know.
LAS BERLENGAS NATURE RESERVE, PORTUGAL
Located at about 10 km from the city of Peniche, nestled in the central part of the Portuguese coast, the archipelago of the Berlengas supposed a real redoubt of wildlife, both on its surface and under water.
The archipelago is made up of three groups of islands, being La Berlenga the largest of all and the only one found continuously inhabited (although only by the guards of the reserve and the personnel in charge of the headlight operation).
In the waters belonging to its marine reserve, about 1,000 hectares, you will find –almost at a glance, well They are crystal clear waters from shipwrecks, to intriguing caverns, through spectacular schools of fish and a striking marine flora.
Elafonisi beach, Crete (Greece)
THE BEACH OF ELAFONISI, CRETE
Elafonisi beach is one of the most visited Crete, especially in the summer season, when more than 2,500 visitors arrive in the area every day.
on its surface, the dunes, cedars and beautiful white flowers extend next to the sand of pink tones, a color that it obtains thanks to the erosion that the sea produces on the red and pink shells that populate the seabed. The waters of Elafonisi are, according to experts, best for snorkeling in Crete. This is of great value, as many consider this island as the cradle of this activity.
Already in the year 350 a. of C., Aristotle wrote about some swimmers in the area who submerged themselves in the water breathing through tubes made from hollow reeds.
Here we can enjoy some Almost transparent guides, with visibility of up to 30 meters and practically non-existent currents. The prize consists of a wide variety of medium sized fish that swim along the cracked volcanic rocks of the seabed.
Underwater in Iceland.
SILFRA CRACK, ICELAND
We leave aside the swimsuit and the sun to immerse ourselves in a fresh water lake located in one of the coldest European countries: Iceland.
In the Thingvellir National Park –place where the first parliament in the world was constituted– one of the geological phenomena most interesting on the planet. Here converge the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates separating at a rate of just over 2 cm each year. That movement, over millions of years, gave rise to that country of fire and ice which is Iceland.
In Thingvellir you can see endless cracks of different sizes and some of them are filled with water. That is the case of the Silfra fissure.
Diving here is doing it in some cold waters – we may need to wear a dry suit – but of surprising beauty and clarity. High visibility allows you to admire the deep volcanic rocks that form the fissure, as well as a strange colorful vegetation flashy.
Nugal (Makarska, Croatia)
MAKARSKA, CROATIA
Makarska has earned the nickname of ‘The Riviera of the Dalmatian Coast’ for good reasons. That name is given to the coastal area that extends along u us 60 kilometres, from Brela (in the north) to Gradac (in the south).
In this area there are some of best beaches in croatia, many of them wild and hardly crowded. Also, the beauty and purity of its waters makes them a spectacular place to snorkel.
We should not leave the area without submerging ourselves in the sea of the beaches of Nugal, Zivogosce, Drasnice or Igrani. Octopus, crabs, starfish and sea urchins await us, as well as a nice underwater flora.
Ghar Lapsi, Malta.
GHAR LAPSI, MALTA
Ghar Lapsi beach is a tiny hidden spot overlooking Filfl a (small limestone outcrop, rising about 5 kilometers out to sea). Thanks to your remote location and its fantastic blue waters, this place is perfect if we want to dive away from the crowds.
The rocky shoreline of Ghar Lapsi forms a natural pool, not too deep, which provides safe conditions for children and swimmers with less experience.
Visibility is amazing being able to admire the fish that move between the rocks even from the surface. On the left side of the area you can also find some magical caves that are a must see for those who want to seek some adventure.
Cala Rossa (Favignana, Sicily).
SICILY, ITALY
The island of Sicily, in addition to being a spectacular place to learn about traditional life from southern Italy, is also a paradise of beaches and one of the best destinations in Europe for snorkelling. Along its extensive coastline there are numerous rocky coves that offer excellent conditions to discover Mediterranean marine life, such as moray eels, octopus, starfish and various species of fish.
Two privileged places to practice snorkeling in Sicily are the Zingaro Nature Reserve, near Palermo, and the Plemmirio Nature Reserve, near Syracuse.
In addition, Sicily offers easy access to other fantastic places to snorkel in Italy, such as the mountainous and wild Aegadian Islands, the Ustica Marine Reserve and the island of Lipari, which is part of the beautiful Aeolian Islands.
School of fish in the Medes Islands, Girona.
MEDAS ISLANDS AND ISLAND OF TABARCA, SPAIN
How could it be otherwise, in Spain we also have very good places to snorkel. Two of them are in the Mediterranean Levantine coast.
The archipelago of Medes Islands It is made up of seven islets and is located near the mouth of the River Ter, off the coast of Girona. The fresh water of the river mixes with the salt water of the sea, contributing a lots of nutrients that favor the appearance of a truly unique flora and fauna dense and diverse.
Here we can snorkel to discover colored corals (very rare in Europe), sponges and starfish, a wide variety of fish and even sunken wrecks.
Tabarca Island, Spain.
The other noteworthy place to dive on the Levantine coast is the Tabarca Marine Reserve. This little e historic island of Alicante It has the honor of having been the first marine reserve in the country. In its shallow waters, it is easy to find octopus, sea bream, sea urchins, spider fish, moray eels and other small and medium sized fish that inhabit rocks and precious posidonia meadows.
After the experience under the sea, nothing better than trying one of the fantastic cauldrons that they serve in the restaurants of Tabarca. It will be the culmination of a perfect day.