Only if you could witness and admire the beauty that lay under those lush blue ocean waters! Well it is possible with snorkeling. Amazing as this sounds, it is extremely difficult to snorkel right the first time. But we are here to help you so that the next time you go to the east coast of Australia or to paradise on Earth, Hawaii, to witness the rich aquatic beauty, you are able to make the most of your snorkeling experience.
We give you everything you need to know no about snorkeling and the top tips to get it right
What is Snorkeling?
Snorkeling is a water activity that allows you to swim inside the waters or on top of it. You use various equipments like a snorkel mask, a breathing tube and swimfins. Snorkeling gets its name from the tube that is used in the process to help you breathe. This tube is called a snorkel. Hence, the name snorkeling.
There is also a full face snorkel experience that is now available. All you need is a full face snorkel mask to begin with. This will help you dive deeper and a camera can be attached to it too. Snorkeling is extremely adventurous if you are into exploring the depths of the sea and the creatures that live in it. You need basic equipment, to begin with,
Many might consider snorkeling very dangerous or scary, but if you snorkel right, it can be extremely fun.
If you are a first-time snorkeler, then you are bound to experience these
- Anxiety or Fear
- Tiredness
- Possible injury
- Boredom
- Improper snorkel tube placement
But worry not, we at twinavocados will help you get through all of it. Our snorkeling tips for beginners will come in really helpful.
6 Best Snorkeling Tips for Beginners
Beginners face the most difficulty when trying their hand at snorkeling. If you are one of them, our snorkeling tips will definitely be of some aid.
Get ready to snorkel after going through the tips below.
1. Get Good Snorkeling Equipment
A key tip is obviously to invest or rent good quality snorkeling equipment. There are many masks, tubes, fins and vests available in the market.
Look for a mask that fits your face accordingly and is perfect. The snorkel tubes that help you breathe are extremely important. They are made of plastic and rubber. Rehearse how to breathe through a tube in your mouth initially. Check all the equipment that you are about to make use of.
If renting does not seem a good option, then it is better to purchase good snorkeling equipment.
2. Try to Stay Calm and Composed
After choosing the best equipment for your snorkeling, it is a must to try them. Don’t go into the oceans without trying out your equipment for fitting. If you rent or purchase snorkel equipment, take it for a test run to see if they fit perfectly.
Go for try in shallow waters first. Take your snorkel (tube) and learn how to breathe through it.
You may not be able to get it right in the first time. It is totally acceptable and you shouldn’t back out. Go with a calm state of mind and continue to attempt snorkeling. Swim slow and synchronize your breathing with the speed of your movement. It is best to go with a partner.
3. Pick a Good Spot
If you are scared to kick off snorkeling directly in the sea or a deep ocean, then don’t be shy to go for shallow spot like pools. This way all your equipment can be taken for a test drive. When satisfied, move your activity to deeper waters. Plus failure don’t seem much embarrassing with less people around. So hunt for a less buzzing hotspot for practice.
Snorkeling will become a very fun activity especially for those beach vacations.
If you are finally comfortable with snorkeling, pick out a spot that has clean water, corresponding to clear visibility so that you can see the aquatic life living in it. You would want to pick an interesting spot with beautiful corals and fish.
It is advised to opt for beaches rather than jumping off of boats.
4. Go through Ocean Conditions
It is absolutely necessary to first take an overview of the ocean condition. Waves are a big no and must be avoided. Detect currents and know when to cut it if you feel a pull or tug. Similarly, a windy day must be off the charts for snorkeling as winds move the waters and you could be taken offshore.
5. Snorkeling Etiquette
Snorkelling has some rules and etiquettes that are very important, that you as a first timer follow. Just be like a steward passing through and don’t disturb the marine life by touching. You aren’t supposed to feel corals, fishes or turtles. They are out of bounds. It is only the sand, water or rock that you can feel. This way you could take a break inside water without standing.
Note – Use biodegradable and reef-safe sunscreen.
6. Enjoy Snorkeling
Dive down head first and in a similar fashion, lift the legs up. Something representative of an underwater headstand. This is the ideal way to begin. While you get better at it, attempt snorkeling in many interesting places across the globe. Why not! Oceans cover 70 percent of our Earth. This means so much more aquatic life to explore and see. The best mesmerizing places for underwater snorkeling include –
- Great Barrier Reef, Australia
- Komodo National Park, Indonesia
- Devil’s Crown, Galapagos
- Grenada, The Caribbean
- Bay of Donsol, The Philippines
- Baa Atoll, Maldives
- Madang, Papua New Guinea
- Maui, Hawaii, US
- Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
- Bora Bora, French Polynesia
- Los Cabos, Mexico
- Isla del Cocos, Costa Rica
- St. Kitts, The Caribbean
- Isla Holbox, Mexico
Conclusion
Make snorkeling plans with your buddies ad you will seriously make the most of the activity if you visit the best snorkeling destinations listed above.
Tell us in the comments section below about the one thing that you find the most attractive about snorkeling.