Where To Snorkel In January?

In winter, there are several top snorkeling destinations worldwide, offering good marine life, sunshine, and pleasant water temperatures. These destinations include overwater bungalow-dotted waters, tropical fish, dolphins, manta rays, and whale sharks. Some of the best snorkeling spots include the Maldives, Dominican Republic, and Caribbean.

Maui, Hawaii, is the best snorkeling destination in January, with its most south and west-facing spots. Big waves may hit Maui’s north shore, but January offers opportunities to swim alongside whale sharks in various destinations worldwide. Baja California, Mexico’s nutrient-filled waters are also at their peak.

To find the best winter snorkeling spots, visit these 20 perfect destinations and explore the vibrant schools of fish in the Caribbean, the Maldives, and the Dominican Republic. Enjoy the bright azure water, palm trees, and sandbars along the way.


📹 Snorkeling in Cozumel, Mexico! January 2023

We spent the day in Cozumel, Mexico snorkeling a reef! We spent a little time strolling around the port area first before boarding a …


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Can you snorkel the Great Barrier Reef in January?

Although you can snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef all year, learning about seasonal weather variations and marine life may help you decide when to plan your trip.

  • Pros:reliably good weather, whale watching and manta rays
  • Cons: bigger crowds

Winter is the dry season, so expect clear skies and pleasant temperatures in the low 20s. With minimal rain, thewater visibility is ideal for snorkelling and diving the reef. You’ll also dodge stinger season which coincides with the summer months.

Whale watching season is from June through September/October. Every year, hundreds of humpbacks make the epic journey fromAntarcticato give birth and nurse their calves in the warmer waters along theEast Coast. There’s a good chance you’ll spot a whale as you sail out to the reef.

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Who should not snorkel?

People with serious medical conditions. Respiratory or cardiac issues can pose a certain risk when snorkelling. … Regular smokers. … Nervous snorkellers. … Obese or unfit people.

The great and wonderful thing about snorkelling is that almost anyone can take part in the leisurely activity. You can go as hard or as easy as you like, swimming out to explore faraway reefs or just hanging by the shore gazing at the sea life drifting by. You don’t need a license or fancy certification to hit the seas, but that doesn’t mean that anyone and everyone can jump into the ocean with a snorkel mask on and expect everything to go smoothly!

As much as we’d love snorkelling to be a completely risk-free sport that can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone, there are some limitations that mean certain people shouldn’t go snorkelling at certain times. If you’re wondering exactly who can snorkel and who shouldn’t go out snorkelling, we’ve got it all here. From important limitations and precautions to certain situations when you should stay on shore and avoid snorkelling, this is your guide to snorkelling safely.

Most healthy people can snorkel safely without being at risk of injury or accident. You don’t even have to know how to swim to be able to snorkel, you just need to know how to float! And luckily there are plenty of flotation devices out there to help you.

Can you swim with whale sharks in Cabo in January?

There are whale sharks almost year round, but the highest concentration of individuals is between November and April. This natural phenomenon gives people an opportunity to experience one of the most exciting encounters between people and nature.

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Can you snorkel in Cancun in January?

Because the weather is so favorable in January it’s the perfect time to do outdoor activities such as swimming in cenotes, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, scuba diving, boating and more.

  • Must Do Activities. Visit some of the Mayan ruins that dot the Yucatan peninsula like Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba, and more.
  • Eco parks such as Xcaret and Xel-Ha are the perfect place to spend the day enjoying the waters and experiencing Mexican culture.
  • Spend a day at Isla Mujeres. Rent a golf cart while you’re there and drive around the whole island and enjoy some of the beautiful beaches where you can swim, snorkel, and take a siesta. Feast at wonderful local restaurants, and shop at some of the local shops.
  • Take a nighttime Bioluminescence snorkeling tour.
  • More Things To Do. Take a romantic sunset dinner cruise.
  • Visit the Interactive Aquarium.
  • Partake in a unique opportunity to swim with sailfish.
  • Visit the Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park.
  • Take a parasailing adventure.
  • Play golf at El Camaleón Golf Course.
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Is it OK to go to Maui in January?

For those looking to escape harsh winter weather, there’s no better place to vacation than Maui. Although rain showers are more common during January, temperatures rarely dip below the mid-60’s, especially at the beach. High temperatures average in the low- to mid-80’s. Kihei and Lahaina are typically sunny and warm this time of year and both offer great beaches and water activities. Make sure to pack warm layers, though, if you’re thinking about a visit to Haleakala, where summit temperatures can drop below freezing. Lighter tradewinds January through April also provide optimal ocean conditions for whale watching and ocean activities along Maui’s south and west shores.

Maui kicks off the New Year with annual fireworks in Wailea. Parking can be a beast, so your best bet is to enjoy dinner at one of the many Wailea restaurants and then hang around for the fireworks display. Many resorts also host special New Year’s Eve dinners and celebrations. Check with your hotel to learn more about New Year’s Eve events.

Maui hosts a variety of events throughout the month of January.

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Is it worth going to Cairns in January?

Cairns Weather in January. January is a wonderful time to explore Cairns. Although it’s in the monsoon or wet season, locals prefer to call it the ‘green season’. This is when the creeks and rivers are flowing crystal clear and the rainforest is at its luscious best. Temperatures range from 23.6 – 31.4 degrees Celsius, making January the hottest month of the year. Expect cloud cover around for about half the month. Rain tends to fall during the late afternoon and overnight. There is still plenty of sunshine hours to enjoy sightseeing.

Cairns Weather in February. February in Cairns sees temperatures range between 23.7 – 31.1 degrees Celsius, with monsoonal rains in the afternoons and at night. With slightly more cloud cover than in January, the days are hot and the evenings warm. Swimming is popular all year round in crystal clear waters that showcase the best of the local marine life. February is also a wonderful time to visit the rainforest areas, when it is at its verdant best.

Cairns Weather in March. Slightly cooler than the previous months, March in Cairns averages between 23 – 30.5 degrees Celsius. Still in the monsoon or wet season, this is the ideal time to visit Kuranda, the Great Barrier Reef, ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or visit the Daintree River, Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest. With most rain falling late afternoon and overnight and light cloud cover for around two weeks of the month, March is the ideal time to fit in most sightseeing activities.

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Is it too cold to snorkel in Cabo in January?

In January, the average temperature in Los Cabos is 73 degrees Fahrenheit. This means you can expect a comfortable temperature in the morning without feeling too cold. At midday, the temperature is perfect for enjoying the sun and swimming. And at night, you can expect a pleasant temperature for resting. In short, it’s perfect weather.

Things to do in Cabo in January. Do you want a luxury and fun-filled vacation? This is exactly what Cabo offers you since January is not a rainy month, which can make you choose from a wide variety of outdoor activities such as:

  • Bike riding
  • Scuba diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Walks on the beach
  • Beach cycling
  • Sailboat ride
  • Outdoor culinary experiences
  • Yoga
  • Outdoor training routines
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Is it too cold to snorkel in Maui in January?

Hawaii is located wonderfully near the equator, meaning our temperatures don’t vary much throughout the year. When the trades are blowing, and you’re in South or West Maui at sea level during the day, temperatures in the seventies and low eighties are the most common. If there happens to be stormy weather, that obviously changes things, but otherwise, you’re looking at nice conditions for snorkeling, especially if you go early in the morning between 6-8am. That is the time of day when the water is calmest and clearest, as a general rule.

You will want to be in South or West Maui for snorkeling, particularly if the trades (northerly winds) are blowing. Sometimes we’ll get a Kona (southerly wind), and that is when the North Shore tends to be calmer, but this is less common. In any case, South and West Maui areas are the best places for snorkeling if you are looking for beautiful reefs teeming with life. There are a myriad of fish species you might see on any given day, and turtle sightings are common.

So where to snorkel? Igood spot in Kaanapali is Black Rock, on the north end of Kaanapali Beach. It’s a convenient location if you have Kaanapali accommodations and you want to stay nearby. In fact, you can find beautiful condos at The Whaler on this very beach. Black Rock offers a lovely reef that has long been growing at the base of the rock that gave this spot its name.

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Can you snorkel in winter?

Slipping a pair of wetsuit socks under your bootees and swapping gloves for mitts will help. I’ve even been known to snorkel in a drysuit, though you do have less control.

Heated undersuits can be helpful, but they are fiddly, so you need to master them before the winter really sets in, and make sure you buy a model that works in the wet if you are wetsuit snorkelling.

Dress to impress. Dressing isn’t just about rubber. There’s no point starting your snorkel cold, as you’re unlikely to warm up once you’re in. So, wrap up against the chilly conditions when venturing out to recce the site. Investing in a changing robe, ideally one that’s warm and windproof, will be money well spent, and not just for pre-dive dressing.

Obviously, exposing the entirety of your cold, wet skin to an Arctic wind post-snorkel can strip any remnants of heat from your body. Being able to change back into your dry, warm and fluffy civvies under the protection of a robe makes a huge difference.

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Has anyone died snorkeling in Silfra?

Some people abandon their diving trip once they go into the water, either because they panic or because they feel unable to to do it. In some cases people suffer from water phobia because they can’t swim. Snorkelling trips in Silfra do not require proof of swimming skills.

The Iceland Transport Authority has issued an injunction on diving and snorkeling in Þingvellir National Park stressing rules for safety and equipment. However, it is the responsability of tour operators to make sure that safety rules are followed.

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Is it too cold to snorkel in the Bahamas in January?

The water temperature tends to range from 72 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit, making it perfectly pleasant year-round. Winter is by far the most popular time of year to go to the Bahamas, as people are escaping the northern winters for the tropics and also avoiding the Atlantic hurricane season that runs from June 1 to November 30.

3. Witness Awesome Marine Life. If it isn’t enough to be in perfect, clear waters in paradise, you’ll also get to witness some super interesting island animal life as well.

Barracuda, lionfish, clownfish, parrotfish, and angelfish are only some of the fish species you might get to see while snorkeling underwater in the Bahamas. Beyond our fishy friends, you could run into spiny lobsters, sea turtles, and even dolphins!


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Where To Snorkel In January
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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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