What to Wear Snorkelling in Bali - The Complete Women's Guide

There are few experiences as magical as floating effortlessly above a coral reef in Bali.

One moment you're watching a green sea turtle glide gracefully beneath you. The next, you're surrounded by thousands of shimmering tropical fish weaving through vibrant coral gardens as sunlight dances across the water.

It's peaceful.

It's humbling.

And for many travellers, it's one of the highlights of visiting Indonesia.

But if you've never spent an entire day snorkelling in tropical waters before, there's one thing many women discover very quickly.

The swimwear you wear for lounging beside the pool isn't necessarily the best choice for spending six hours in and out of the ocean.

After years of living in Bali, exploring Indonesia's islands, running ocean retreats through our sister brand Ocean Soul Retreat, surfing, freediving and countless snorkelling adventures, we've learnt that choosing the right swimwear can completely transform your day.

The difference isn't just about style.

It's about comfort.

Confidence.

Sun protection.

Freedom to move.

And enjoying the incredible underwater world instead of constantly adjusting your bikini or worrying about sunburn.

Whether you're planning your first snorkelling trip to Bali or returning for another island adventure, here's everything we recommend packing, wearing and knowing before you dive in.

Why Snorkelling in Bali Is Different to Anywhere Else

Many travellers imagine snorkelling as a quick swim from the beach.

In Bali, it's often much more than that.

A typical snorkelling day might begin with an early morning boat ride before visiting several reefs across different islands.

You may spend:

• Four to eight hours outdoors
• Several hours in direct tropical sunshine
• Multiple snorkelling sessions
• Time climbing on and off boats
• Lunch on a small island
• Swimming between reefs
• Walking across beaches and rocky shorelines

That's very different to spending thirty minutes in the hotel pool.

Your swimwear needs to perform throughout an entire day, not just look beautiful in photographs.

It's one of the reasons you'll notice local ocean guides, freedivers and surf instructors rarely wear fashion swimwear.

They choose pieces designed for movement, comfort and protection.

After a full day on the water, you'll understand exactly why.

What Women Actually Wear Snorkelling in Bali

One of the biggest misconceptions is that every woman snorkels in a tiny triangle bikini.

While that's certainly an option, it's not what we see most often.

Spend a morning around Bali's dive boats and you'll notice a pattern.

Women who spend lots of time in the ocean usually wear one of three things.

Long Sleeve Swimsuits

Increasingly popular among surfers, snorkellers and freedivers.

They provide:

• UPF 50+ sun protection
• Less need to continually reapply sunscreen
• Protection against boat decks and life jackets
• Extra warmth during longer snorkelling sessions
• Confidence when swimming for extended periods

Our Sulawesi Long Sleeve One Piece has become one of our favourite pieces for snorkelling days because it combines performance with a flattering silhouette.

The sculpting waist panels create shape while the premium Italian recycled fabric feels luxurious even after hours in saltwater.

The Sulawesi Midnight offers the most UPF protection for women spending all day on boats or in the tropical sun.

One Piece Swimsuits

Many women prefer a classic one piece when snorkelling.

A well-designed one piece stays secure while swimming and offers enough coverage to feel comfortable climbing in and out of boats.

Our Mentawai One Piece is particularly popular for island hopping because it doubles beautifully as a bodysuit.

Simply add linen pants or a sarong after snorkelling and you're ready for lunch overlooking the ocean.

It's one of those travel pieces you'll wear repeatedly throughout your holidays.

Of course, plenty of women still choose bikinis.

The key is choosing styles designed for movement rather than simply sunbathing.

A seamless bikini should stay comfortably in place while you swim, float, dive beneath the surface and climb boat ladders.

Our favourites include:

• Gili Bikini
• Bali Bikini
• Banyak Bikini

All three are designed using premium Italian recycled fabric with supportive construction that moves with your body rather than against it.

One of the questions we're asked almost every week in our Bali boutique is:

"Should I wear a bikini or a long sleeve swimsuit for snorkelling?"

The answer depends on how you'll spend your day.

If you're planning multiple snorkelling trips during your Bali holiday, we'd recommend packing both.

A seamless bikini is perfect for relaxed beach days and shorter snorkelling sessions.

A long sleeve swimsuit becomes invaluable once you're spending hours exploring reefs under the tropical sun.

The Best Swimwear Fabric for Saltwater

Not all swimwear is created equal.

Saltwater, sunscreen, chlorine and tropical heat place enormous stress on swimwear fabric.

Cheaper materials often begin to lose their elasticity after only a handful of wears.

They become loose.

They fade.

They lose their supportive feel.

That's why we chose premium Italian recycled fabric for every Ocean Soul swimsuit.

It offers:

• Soft four-way stretch
• Excellent shape retention
• Chlorine resistance
• Saltwater durability
• UPF 50+ protection
• Luxurious feel against the skin

More importantly, it's made using regenerated nylon, giving discarded fishing nets and other waste materials a second life instead of allowing them to remain in our oceans.

Protecting the places we love has always been part of Ocean Soul's story.

The Best Snorkelling Spots in Bali

One of the reasons Bali is such an incredible snorkelling destination is the sheer variety of locations.

Whether you're a complete beginner or experienced ocean lover, there's somewhere you'll fall in love with.

Here are our favourites...

(Continued in Part 2 where we'll cover the top snorkelling locations in detail, what marine life you'll see, what to pack, reef etiquette, seasonal conditions, FAQs and much more.)