Learning how to snorkel is a great experience, enjoyed by everybody young and old. It is very easy to learn at any stage of your life, opening up a whole other world you might not have realised is there.
Snorkel Venture specializes in snorkeling trips to the worlds premier destinations, escorted by expert western leaders and using the very best local team to deliver our trips. Your safety and comfort is our utmost priority, however, we have come up with a few handy tips on how to snorkel safely, minimizing the chance of discomfort and making the most of your vacation.
Be confident in the water
If you haven’t tried it before, learning to snorkel is easy to learn and fast to pick up. If you are competent swimmer you will have no problems at all, but even if you aren’t, consider wearing a snorkel vest or try using a ‘noodle’ for extra buoyancy and support. There is no shame in using such equipment and if it helps you experience the underwater world, then why not.
Use Quality Snorkel Equipment
All of our trips offer the opportunity to rent quality snorkel equipment locally, but if you are interested in buying your own equipment – and this might sound obvious – definitely don’t scrimp on your gear. It is worth buying the best products from the best suppliers. It is a crucial element to the trip and there is nothing worse than entering the water to find your mask leaks or your fins are damaged.
Learning how to snorkel safely is helped greatly by the gear you use. Feel welcome to ask a member of our team as we are always happy to help.
Drink plenty of fluids
Our trips take us to exotic places in the world. The sun shines with glorious temperatures and warm ocean conditions. It is a paradise where the food is delicious and a cold beer at the end of the day goes down all to well.
The nature of combining snorkeling with the exotic is a recipe for success, but remember in these hot climates it is so important to remain hydrated and try to lay off the alcohol if you have a day planned for snorkeling.
Protect your skin
The excitement of getting into the crystal water, to cool down and explore the underwater world is very appetising. Protecting your skin against the sun is a habit all to easy to miss. Sunburn is both painful and dangerous, so make sure to apply plenty of sun lotion to exposed body parts – particularly the ears, back of the neck and scalp. Also, make sure you use a sunblock that is safe for the underwater environment.
Another tip is to wear a UV rash vest which is ideal to protect yourself against the sun and the occasional jellyfish that you may come across. There is a huge range of inexpensive rash vests available online, but it is worth knowing that most of the resorts we use on our snorkel tours will have their own range available for purchase or hire.
Stay fit and healthy
If you don’t feel 100% when you are away, it’s best to rest up and relax at the resort or on your liveaboard. Occasionally we come across strong currents, where if you are not feeling your best might be a challenge to swim against.
Enjoying safe snorkeling sessions begins with feeling fit and healthy.
Relax after meals
Traveling brings an eclectic mix of delicious food and you are likely to be offered many irresistible treats. You can certainly eat well if you want too.
After meal times, take time to relax and let the food digest before rushing back into the water. There is nothing worse than feeling heavy when snorkeling.
Never touch the marine life
This one might sound obvious, but the temptation for some people to reach out and touch the marine world seems to be overwhelming. This is the most important rule of snorkeling and always remember to respect underwater life.
We want to preserve and protect the marine world we enjoy and love. The reef systems are very fragile and take many years to repair. Touching the reef is easy to damage, even with a poke of a finger. Some marine species are also poisonous and touching them can lead to serious allergic reactions.
Remember to keep your fingers to yourself and if you need to stand up in the shallows, look for a sandy spot where you can avoid standing on the coral itself.
These simple set of tips and tricks will help you to learn to snorkel safely and to maximize your trip enjoyment, wherever in the world you travel.
