Snorkeling in India

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, when the sea is calm and visibility is at its best. Monsoon surf makes most spots unusable from June to September.

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

• Netrani Island, Karnataka

  clearer water than the Goa coast