Snorkeling

What it is

Float on the surface with a mask and fins and watch the reef below. The easiest way into the underwater world, and most of the good spots are reachable by a short boat ride.

When to go

October to May in India, when the sea is calm and visibility is at its best. The Maldives snorkels year-round, calmest December to April.

First time?

If you can float, you can snorkel. Operators provide the mask, snorkel, fins and a life jacket, and guides stay in the water with first-timers.

Where to do it

• Elephant Beach, Havelock

  shallow reef right off the beach

• North Bay, Port Blair

  popular half-day boat trips

• Grande Island, Goa

  usually combined with a boat cruise

• Maldives local islands

  house reefs steps from the beach, snorkel safaris and whale shark trips

• Netrani Island, Karnataka

  clearer water than the Goa coast