From the time you click the “Book Tour” button for your desired Snorkel Venture safari to the time you actually head to the airport can seem like ages, particularly if you’ve booked a tour a year or two out! Rather than just sit there twiddling your thumbs as you wait for that much anticipated date, there’s a lot you can to prepare for the tour which will not only help relieve some of those sudden snorkeling urges, but also help you get more out of the tour itself.
4. Research
Ok, so you’ve just booked a tour to a distant island you barely knew existed and presumably you’ve done a bit of basic research about the area, but that’s probably the extent of it if you are like most of us. However, the areas we offer tours to are truly fascinating places, whether it be historical, political, geological, food, or the marine life, there is just so much cool stuff to know about these unique areas. In doing this ‘research’ it will not only help pass the time but it will no doubt help you enjoy the tour more, not to mention you’ll be able to say things like “did you know Indonesia has the same flag as Monaco?” What I’m about to say next may sound a bit like a mom or dad trying to be hip but, research is cool!
3. Gear
It’s always a good idea to double check all your snorkel and travel gear before you take off. You might know you have a snorkel and mask in the closet but is the rubber skirt around the mask still in good shape or has it dried out and starting to crack? Also, does that wetsuit still fit? As someone who runs these trips for a living I can say that the guests who did a bit of gear prep beforehand are the ones who were comfortable in the water from day one, as opposed to those who just tossed some gear in a bag assuming everything still fit and was working properly. If you need tips on gear, we are more than happy to help!
2. Camera
Underwater cameras are so much more affordable now with amazing underwater shooting capabilities for both photo and video in one compact design. If you have an older camera with a clunky housing you’re not quite sure still keeps the water out, it might be a good move to check out some of the new camera tech as you don’t want to miss out on capturing those magical underwater moments! Here’s a list of some of our favorite cameras for taking underwater. Along with that, taking your camera in pool or pond and practicing with it will benefit you infinitely on the tour as you won’t be wondering what mode to switch to or what button does what when that first manta or turtle swims by!
1. Practice
In joining these trip you’re not only traveling a long way but also spending a considerable amount of money to do so. In order to make the most of these tours we want you to hit the ground running, or hit the water snorkeling rather. If it’s been a while since your last snorkel, it’s a good idea to keep your snorkeling skills polished. Some things to work on could just be being comfortable using your mask and snorkel properly, equalizing your ears if you want to duck dive, and then how to improve your breath hold time and depth. Also, we do a lot of snorkeling on our tours, and while it will always be in relaxing and manageable conditions, snorkeling is a physical activity so keeping your swimming endurance up is very much recommended.
