Exciting Things You Can See While Snorkeling

Though snorkeling is a renowned water sport worldwide, most of the things on this list are easily found in the USA. It saves you the time and money that traveling abroad can cost you. Spend it for a luxurious experience at locations nearby.

Corals

When people think about snorkeling, they often think about going out at night to see the beautiful coral reefs that glow when the sun goes down. Coral reefs are one of the most critical parts of our oceans — they provide homes for thousands of different species, including many types of fish that we eat for food.

Corals are animals with hard outer skeletons and soft bodies. They are only visible when they come out of their hard shells, so many people confuse them for rocks or plants when they're underwater. The most common corals found in tropical waters are brain corals (also known as brain coral) and staghorn corals (also known as elkhorn coral). Brain corals typically grow in large groups, while staghorn corals grow in branching shapes that look like antlers on deer.

Coral reefs are colorful underwater structures made up of living creatures called polyps. Coral polyps form colonies as small as a single polyp or as large as several thousand polyps. The color of corals comes from algae that live within their tissue. Corals grow at up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) per year, depending on their species and environmental factors such as water temperature and salinity.

Fish

There are many different kinds of fish worldwide — some are easy to spot, and others are harder to find. Fish come in all shapes and sizes, so there's bound to be something out there for everyone. If you're lucky enough to see some brightly colored fish like clownfish, angelfish, or parrotfish, this will make your day!

Sharks and rays are also some of the most exciting things you can see while snorkeling. They're often seen in shallow waters, and they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some sharks even have patterns on their skins that look like flowers or polka dots!

Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are beautiful creatures that can be found on the ocean floor. They're an endangered species, but many countries also protect them. There are several different sea turtles, including green sea turtles (especially famous in Hawaii) and loggerhead sea turtles.

Wherever you go snorkeling, you'll most likely see at least one type of sea turtle swimming around in the water! These animals live in warm tropical waters all over the world—and when your eyes meet theirs as you swim by, it's like connecting with an old friend from home who's visiting for a week or two (though hopefully not for too long).

Humpback Whales

Humpback whales are the most common whale you'll see while snorkeling. They're usually seen in the winter months, from December to March. They're also found in Hawaiian waters (the North Pacific), where they migrate from Alaska and Russia to mate and give birth.

You can also find humpbacks off the coasts of Central America and Mexico (the North Pacific). These whales are known for their acrobatic breaching behavior and their magnificent songs, and complex social structure, which includes living in pods; females will have one calf at a time every 2-3 years.

Manatees

Manatees are large, slow-moving marine mammals that live in warm waters. They are herbivores and social animals. They can be found in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, but you might also see them in Florida, South America, and Central America.

Manatees have been known to eat over 40 pounds of vegetation each day! They spend most of their time eating underwater plants like sea lettuce and hydrilla. When they're not eating or sleeping (which is most of their time), you will probably find them resting on a shallow bank or floating at the surface with just their eyes above water so they can keep an eye out for danger!

Monk Seals

Monk seals are one of the few remaining seal species left in Hawaii. They live in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and have been a protected species since 1976. However, recent studies show that monk seals overfishing and human encroachment on their habitat are still a threat.

Monk seals are large marine mammals with brown fur and white bellies that can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh 1,000 pounds! Monk seals eat fish and squid, sometimes hunting in groups (called harems). They breed once every two years between January and March.

Underwater Sculpture

Many artists create underwater sculptures, all of which have a style and audience. The creativity behind their art is inspiring, but it's also essential to understand the purpose of each piece.

Some artists create sculptures that function as artificial reefs. Their goal is to help support marine life by providing an environment with food and shelter for fish, coral, and other sea creatures. This helps protect the ecosystem from pollution or overfishing by humans who may hunt for food in these areas.

Canadian artist Jason deCaires Taylor created the most famous example of this type of sculpture at Cancun's Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA), which opened in 2016; its centerpiece is an 80-foot tall statue named "The Silent Evolution." Another famous underwater sculpture is the 4,000-pound Christ of the Abyss found in Key Largo, Florida.

Shipwrecks

Snorkeling is a fantastic way to explore the underwater world. It's also a great way to see shipwrecks and other historical relics that are difficult to access otherwise.

There are many shipwreck sites in Hawaii, including several that were sunk as part of war games and others that were intentionally sunk because they were old or damaged beyond repair. One of the most famous wrecks in Hawaii is the Japanese cargo ship Kiyoharu Maru, which was hit by a torpedo during World War II by an American submarine, so Japan could not use it. The cargo ship sank about two miles off Waikiki Beach and can still be seen today!