Best Family-Friendly Resort Snorkeling Spots

Snorkeling is a great way to explore a destination and get to know the water-breathing locals. With safety top of mind for families and the deep-ocean-averse, these nine resorts offer protected snorkeling spots without ever having to leave the property.

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Photo By: Hilton Waikoloa Village

Photo By: Felipe Schiffrin, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

Photo By: Getty Images, M Swiet Productions

Photo By: Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino

Photo By: Jewel Resorts Paradise Cove

Photo By: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

Photo By: AlSol Tiara Cap Cana

Photo By: Hilton Curacao Beach Resort

Photo By: Hilton Key Largo Resort

Kohala Coast, Hawaii

Sitting along the volcanic coastline on Hawaii Island, Hilton Waikoloa Village boasts a unique saltwater lagoon where guests have the chance to snorkel in a protected ocean-fed oasis. With calm waters, families can safely snorkel alongside various reef fish and green sea turtles in the calm waters.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Situated on grounds rich with ancient Mayan history and ruins, guests at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort can embrace Riviera Maya's unique location by snorkeling in a crystal-clear cenote, also known as a natural underground spring, as a part of the property's Xcalacoco Experience. Divers are surrounded by more than 60 species of animals and 25 species of trees, including Cormorants, a species of bird that goes all the way back to the Mesozoic Era.

Waikiki, Hawaii

Just off the shores of Hilton Hawaiian Village, located on the widest stretch of beach in all of Waikiki, guests can explore marine life with the resort's sailboat on an Adventure Sail and Snorkel to witness sea turtles, whales and several other tropical fish.

Palm Beach, Aruba

Known for some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean, guests at the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino can enjoy swimming through shallow shipwrecks with marine life just offshore. Boasting the sunniest days of any island in the Caribbean, Aruba offers the clearest waters perfect for snorkeling year-round.

Runaway Bay, Jamaica

Whether traveling with the family or taking a couple's trip to an adults-only getaway, Jamaica's own Jewel Resorts has a wide range of snorkeling options at each of its three properties. Featuring complimentary beachside equipment rentals at Runaway Bay, Ochos Rios and Dunn's River, each property offers breathtaking views and up-close experiences with the marine life of the Caribbean Sea.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Dive into the Atlantic and explore South Florida's marine life at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort. The property is situated on 16 acres amid the region's largest private beach, offering an exclusive and secluded area for snorkeling where guests can encounter fish and sea turtles in their natural habitat.

Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

At AlSol Tiara Cap Cana, situated on a marina that leads into the Caribbean Sea, guests can schedule an excursion that combines the fun of a party boat with an awe-inspiring snorkeling adventure in the Dominican Republic. Guests first witness the region's colorful coral and plentiful fish and reward themselves with drinks and dancing before cruising back to the marina.

Willemstad, Curacao

A Caribbean paradise, Hilton Curacao recently launched a Standing Snorkel program, allowing guests to explore the island's marine life right on the resort's shoreline without diving into deep waters. The offering includes snorkeling gear, a how-to guide and a session with an on-site snorkel concierge, the Marine Masters, who will point out the best areas for Standing Snorkeling.

Key Largo, Fla.

Located in the Dive Capital of the world, guests at Hilton Key Largo Resort can enjoy world-class snorkeling in the resort's backyard aquarium of fish, sea turtles and corals. In addition, advanced snorkelers can celebrate the start of the lobster season in early August with exclusive lobster-season snorkel sessions.

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Best Family-Friendly Resort Snorkeling Spots

Related To:

Shop This Look

Kohala Coast, Hawaii

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Waikiki, Hawaii

Palm Beach, Aruba

Runaway Bay, Jamaica

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

Willemstad, Curacao

Key Largo, Fla.

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