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Snorkeling For Beginners

By Louise John

Exploring the amazing underwater world of fish and marine life is an adventure that many people dream of. With so many destinations offering snorkeling experiences as part of a holiday package, it’s never been easier to try.

But if you are new to snorkeling, it might seem a bit daunting. Here is our quick guide to everything you need to know about snorkeling for beginners.

Buying your snorkeling gear

When preparing to snorkel you need to have goggles or a face mask to protect your eyes and nose from the water. When snorkeling you only breathe through your mouth using the snorkel, so you need to make sure your nose is protected.

Test out your mask before you go into the water – it needs to stick to your face and effectively make breathing through your nose impossible. If it doesn’t do that then it’s not the right fit for you and water will leak into it.

You will of course need to buy a snorkel, which is the tube you breathe out of. Generally, you can get these to attach to the side of your goggles. These are perfectly adequate when you are first starting out and deciding if snorkeling is for you. If you decide to keep up the pastime, then you might want to move to a snorkel which attaches to the front of your mask, as these make it easier to move your head. However, this type can be quite expensive, so if it’s your first time, you should stick to the attachment.

It can be a good idea to buy swim shoes to protect your feet from the sea bed and from rocks. Snorkeling with bare feet can leave you exposed to cutting your feet on coral. You don’t need flippers or fins to snorkel with, but swim shoes are a good way to keep your feet safe.

You might also like to invest in an underwater camera to record pictures of the marine life that you come across during your adventure.

Practice your breathing technique

The type of breathing you need to do when snorkeling is quite unique, so you don’t want to jump right into it. Practice it on dry land first, and then in very shallow water. This way you will get used to it and won’t panic when it comes to a real snorkeling session.

Relax your swimming technique

You’ll need to have a relaxed approach to swimming because you will have limited oxygen to use. When snorkeling, your focus needs to be on breathing, rather than swimming – don’t try to swim too actively.

Don’t snorkel alone

Always go snorkeling with a friend or guide. When you are looking at all the sea life and swimming it can be easy to drift away from your starting point. It’s important to stay together, so there is always help on hand if you do hit dangers.

Watch the weather forecast

You definitely don’t want to snorkel in rough water – the sea water can come down your snorkel, and it can be difficult to see. Make sure you pick a calm day and read the forecasts before you go out.

Avoid the masses

It’s best to aim for quiet, secluded areas rather than popular spots. A lot of swimmers and activity will scare away the sea life. You need to snorkel somewhere calm and quiet with your friends if you want to see the most sea life.

Don’t damage the marine life

While it can be tempting to touch corals and other marine life, remember they are very delicate. Actions you take could result in permanent damage – you are there as an observer of their world only.

Snorkel with a guide

If you don’t know the area or are on holiday in another country, then snorkeling with a guide is a great option. He or she can tell you what creatures and fish you will likely see and can answer any questions you have. That way you won’t go home wondering what a particular fish or coral was called.

If they are local, they are also more likely to know the best places to go snorkelling. They can show you spots away from the crowds and with the most of sea life. Guides will also be aware of the currents and any potential dangers.

Snorkeling is a fantastic way to explore an amazing new world which many people never get to see. As long as you have the right equipment and take a safe and sensible approach, you will be able to enjoy the breath-taking sights the ocean has to offer. This guide offers a number of tips to help you get started, but always seek advice if you are unsure of anything.

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