For decades, snorkelling has been considered the gentler cousin of scuba diving — a splash in the shallows compared to the deep immersion of tanks and training. But that perception is shifting. As more travellers seek authentic, accessible, and nature-rich experiences, snorkelling is undergoing a quiet revival.
No longer confined to holiday coastlines or seen simply as a casual pastime, snorkelling is making a significant comeback — and this time, with purpose and style. With a surge in demand for offshore island snorkelling and remote reef experiences, travellers are seeking out destinations where marine encounters begin right at the surface. From eco-conscious accessories to guided expeditions, snorkelling is being redefined as an adventure in its own right — not just a warm-up to diving, but a stand-alone journey into the heart of the reef.
At Solitude Liveaboards and Resorts — whether anchored near remote reefs in Tubbataha, Raja Ampat, or Komodo, or settled along rich coastlines like those of Anilao or Lembeh — snorkelling is not only welcomed but thoughtfully supported. Guided house reef experiences, quiet bays, and shallow coral plateaus allow guests to explore some of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth, all from the surface.
One of the most powerful things about snorkelling is its accessibility. It doesn’t require certification, bulky gear, or a deep breath hold. With just a mask, snorkel, and fins, anyone — from young children to older travellers or those with limited mobility — can float in warm, tropical waters and witness thriving coral gardens, schooling fish, and curious marine life just below. It’s often the first introduction to the underwater world — and, for many, the moment where curiosity turns into a lifelong passion.
Adding to this momentum is the growing influence of freediving culture — a discipline that celebrates mindfulness, breath control, and connection with the sea. Many snorkellers now find inspiration in the world of “one-breath” exploration, blurring the line between snorkelling and freediving. While not everyone aims for depth or records, the idea of quiet, sustained observation — without bubbles, without noise — has brought a fresh perspective to snorkelling. It’s not about how long you stay down, but how present you are in that single breath. The appeal is powerful, and it’s helping a new generation rediscover the magic of staying close to the surface.
Yet snorkelling is not just for beginners. Seasoned divers, marine biologists, and underwater photographers often return to the surface with renewed appreciation. Many have found that for certain encounters, snorkelling is not only sufficient — it’s superior. Think of whale sharks skimming the shallows, dolphins cruising reef edges, or mantas looping cleaning stations just metres beneath the surface. These are moments where staying high and looking down offers the widest canvas.
At Solitude’s destinations, the opportunities for snorkellers are surprisingly vast. In Tubbataha, the shallow outer reef tops glisten with hard coral cities and darting reef fish — sometimes all it takes is a five-metre swim from the tender to find yourself in the thick of it. In Komodo and Misool, gentle current-fed reef flats offer pristine coral cover and the chance to glide alongside turtles or bumphead parrotfish. Even in the muck-diving capitals of Lembeh or Anilao, snorkellers can find macro wonders like pipefish, nudibranchs, or even frogfish, particularly in shallows near the resort’s own piers or protected coves.
While it’s true that macro life — the tiny, camouflaged critters that divers love to obsess over — can be more challenging to find from the surface, it doesn’t mean they’re entirely out of reach. With patience, a sharp eye, and a knowledgeable guide, snorkellers often spot juvenile cuttlefish, seahorses, anemonefish, or even mating mandarin fish in just a few feet of water. The secret is to move slowly, hover quietly, and let the reef reveal itself — a lesson shared by both snorkellers and seasoned macro divers alike.
For those who once dived and now find themselves limited by injury, health, or other reasons, snorkelling becomes not a step down — but a step across. Many former divers still travel aboard Solitude’s liveaboards or stay at their land-based resorts, finding joy in floating above the reef, camera in hand, or simply basking in the sunlit beauty of the shallows. And for photographers, the surface offers new creative challenges: reflections, sunbursts, and behaviour shots of species unbothered by tanks and bubbles.
There is also a growing trend among families and mixed-experience groups — where some dive and others don’t — to choose destinations that offer excellent snorkelling alongside top-tier diving. Solitude’s twin resorts in Anilao and Lembeh are ideal for this. Their sheltered locations, easy water entries, and thriving house reefs mean everyone can enjoy the water on their own terms. Dive guides often double as snorkel guides, offering insights into behaviour, species ID, and local ecology — enriching the experience for all.
And then, of course, there’s the emotional layer. Snorkelling offers a sense of freedom and lightness that’s hard to replicate. There’s no decompression schedule, no depth limit, no clunky gear to weigh you down. Just you, your breath, and the reef. It’s meditative. It’s calming. It’s childlike wonder made real.
For some, snorkelling is the gateway into scuba diving — a natural progression. For others, it’s the final destination, offering a lifelong relationship with the ocean that doesn’t require going deep. At Solitude Liveaboards and Resorts, both paths are celebrated.
Because in the end, it’s not about how deep you go — it’s about how deeply you connect. And sometimes, the most magical encounters happen just a breath away from the surface.