Yellow Leaf Bay — The clearest water is usually busiest just after sunrise.

Snorkeling here means short boat rides out to coral reefs where the water stays clear enough to spot reef fish before they notice you. Merriton Landing Excursions runs the boats, and the trips are simple: fins, mask, a quick safety talk, then a few hours drifting over shallows and drop-offs. It is not a deep-sea adventure, just an easy way to get close to the reef without needing special skills.

Mara likes it best at dawn, before the crowds stack up and the boats start moving in lines. If the first reef looks crowded, she says to ask for the second reef, where the water feels calmer and the fish are less spooked. That small detour is the difference between a standard tour and one that feels like you slipped out ahead of everybody else.