Snorkeling tips

I've worked as a South American travel specialist for eight years and have traveled to all 13 of the main Galápagos Islands.

Nearly 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to visit French Polynesia and stay in an overwater bungalow on the breathtaking island of Moorea. Waking up every morning and diving off the deck into some of the most crystalline waters I've ever seen was truly magical, and when it was time to go home I was already dreaming about going back.

Costa Rica is home to everything from steamy rainforests and misty cloud forests, to still-smoking volcanoes and sublime beaches strung along Pacific and Caribbean coastlines.

As the plane descends to Maui’s airport in Kahului, it’s readily apparent how sharply tourism has dropped off following the massive fires a month ago: hundreds of unrented rental cars parked in a field near the runway. In the aftermath of the blaze that leveled the historic town of Lahaina and caused so much personal suffering and loss, it was understandable for Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green to advise visitors not to come to Maui. Now facing the financial devastation of an island that depends on tourism, the government changed its position and is urging visitors to come, including to the resort areas of West Maui north of Lahaina which are reopening October 8th. But should visitors listen?

As reputations go, the Maldives is probably best known as a place to rest and recuperate beside the perfectly flat, aquamarine sea. But the country has an adventurous side — one that uses that same sea for kitesurfing, deep-sea fishing and surfing crowd-free waves. Many of the activities revolve around the water, and for snorkelling there are few better places in the world. Here's how to get active among the picturesque coral atolls.

LiAnne Driessen had moved into her grandparents’ home in Lāhainā four years ago, a home destroyed in the August 8 wildfires that razed the historic coastal town and killed at least 115 people. Everything—except for a mango tree her kūpuna (grandparents) had planted from a seed 50 years ago—is gone.

Around 3,000 reefs contribute to the world’s largest underwater ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef. Clownfish, whale sharks, manta rays, green turtles, and giant clams are just some of the marine species residing amid this Coral Sea marvel. Although so mammoth it can be spotted from space, a trip to the moon is a stretch too far for the average adventurer. A myriad of cruises, snorkeling tours, and helicopter flights depart from towns and cities along the tropical Queensland coast. Cairns, Airlie Beach, Townsville, and Port Douglas are the most convenient options although it’s even possible to sleep on an offshore island. Only catamaran away from the corals, these Airbnbs near the Great Barrier Reef are as phenomenal as the natural wonder.

The ship has seen better days. It’s leaning for one thing, to the port side and the point of near-capsizing. The bridge, ordinarily the source of all life on board, is dark, emanating the kind of macabre magnetic energy that simultaneously fascinates and unnerves. There are gaping holes in the hull, which is corroded from many years of exposure to the elements, with a rusty bike chained above with a large, black eel sprawled languidly in its basket. A shoal of bright orange anthias clouds around the stern, a whirl of startling technicolour in a world of muted blues. 

As Naiwi Teruya watched flames engulf his Lāhainā apartment on the evening of August 8, his first thought was, “I need to get to my kids,” says the 35-year-old executive chef of Down the Hatch, a casual seafood joint that once stood on Lāhainā’s iconic Front Street. Teruya pushed through scorching winds and dodged dangling power lines in the darkness as he headed north on foot. “People were crying and screaming, you could hear things exploding, and I felt like the fire was chasing me,” he says.

When tourists to Hawaii had their vacations interrupted last week as fires ravaged Maui, killing at least 110 people, some took it better than others.

Set on a former pineapple plantation and originally developed in the 1950s by businessman and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller (yes, of the Rockefellers), Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a well-established luxury hideout.

Once limited to billionaires, celebrities and high-level politicians, private jet travel has recently become affordable for a good number of travelers who prefer to up their budgets for the convenience offered by flying private.

Aruba, home to the most sunny days in the Caribbean, boasts an overwhelming sense of warmth and happiness that you’ll feel all across the island. In addition to the perpetual sunshine, people come to this pristine island for many reasons: delectable cuisine; a romantic retreat; the welcoming culture; destination weddings; and the abundance of water activities. From cave exploring to shipwreck snorkeling, here are some of the must-see adventures throughout this Caribbean country, also know as the One happy island.

Located at the confluence of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, Isla Mujeres serves as a treasure trove of North American biodiversity, with bottlenose dolphins, sailfish, and green sea turtles all thriving in its surrounding waters—yet one animal in particular has long suffered due to human activity. Though they play a prominent role in the local marine ecosystem, sharks are often unnecessarily culled due to their reputation as mindless killing machines, and in the Quintana Roo area, the animals have historically been targeted by the local fishing industry as well.

Vibrant, culturally rich and visually stunning – the islands of the Caribbean are like nowhere else on Earth. From cocktails to coral reefs, hiking to heritage, they offer something for all tastes and tempos. Here are seven unmissable highlights of the Caribbean.

When you think of the Caribbean, the first things that come to mind are most likely turquoise waters, relaxed vibes and swaying palm trees. But there’s a lot more to a trip to this part of the world than lazing around on a sunlounger, taking in the views and sipping exotic cocktails. The Caribbean offers a huge variety of other tempting activities, from windsurfing and waterskiing, to scuba diving and snorkelling to see some of the most beautiful, vividly coloured coral reefs imaginable. Here are a few of the must-try activities you can enjoy.

Maldives resorts offer an extraordinary experience in one of the world’s most exclusive destinations. Known for its pristine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs, the Maldives is home to many luxurious resorts, private villas, overwater bungalows, beachfront accommodations, and other secluded hideaways. Expect impeccable service, world-class dining, and a wealth of leisure activities, including snorkeling, diving, and spa treatments ensuring a memorable and indulgent stay on the archipelago.

There’s only one place on Earth where you can see swimming iguanas, lava lizards, and giant tortoises: the Galápagos Islands. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978, the archipelago off the shore of South America is a must-visit destination for anyone with a passion for fauna and flora, and their protection. 97 percent of the land was designated as a national park in 1959, and over 51,000 square miles of ocean around the islands have been a protected marine reserve since 1986, making for a destination where you’re a guaranteed to be immersed in nature and observe unique wildlife.

On the pristine shores of Riviera Maya, Mexico, La Casa De La Playa is a luxurious haven for travelers seeking an unforgettable beach vacation. This resort offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and sumptuous dining experiences, making it an ideal destination for couples, families, and solo travelers alike.

Spain’s islands – from the Canaries to the Balearics – are some of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, and travellers keep returning to them again and again. As their popularity grows, however, so do the crowds, and visitors are increasingly looking for alternatives. It's time to look beyond Tenerife, Ibiza and Mallorca, Spain has so many other special islands to explore. Here’s our guide to Spain’s secret islands that you never even knew existed. Shhh… don’t tell everyone they’re here.

The British appetite for all things eccentric — particularly anything with a competitive element — ensures that on any given weekend you can find a bunch of people who lead otherwise sensible lives in a damp field somewhere snorkelling through bog water, racing pigs or chucking around black puddings. Here are the best ones to watch — from a safe and sensible distance of course.