As Snorkel Venture’s self-appointed Tsar of Sun Protection, I have to share with you my latest discovery. As you all know, as snorkelers, we spend a lot of time floating on the surface of the water with the intense equatorial sun beating down on our backsides. No matter how melanin-rich your body may be, those little exposed areas—ankles, calves, ears, necks, that little bald spot on the top of everyone’s head, and even hands—will eventually burn to a crisp and you’ll suffer with it for the rest of the tour. If you’ve read any of my blogs on Snorkel Venture’s website or newsletters, I’m not a fan of repeatedly lathering up with sun-creams. Instead, I’m a staunch supporter of the coverup method, which brings me to my original point, fly-fishing gloves!
Fly-fishing gloves are the perfect snorkeling glove as they are made out of thin UV-protective lycra, are easy to put on, have a fingerless design so we can maintain dexterity with our small camera buttons, and—best of all—there are a ton of really cool prints so we can remain our fashionable selves in the water! Unlike diving gloves which are usually made from cumbersome and delicate neoprene, only offer colors ranging from “Dark Black” to “Midnight Black”, not to mention being expensive, these fly-fishing gloves are lightweight, durable, highly fashionable, and significantly cheaper! I wish I could claim that I made this discovery on my own, but it was actually a couple of our repeater guests who turned me onto this brilliant hack!
Another garment that fishermen seem to have pioneered which also pairs well with the water & sun based activities us snorkelers tend to indulge in is this lightweight hoodie which comes with a built-in face screen to protect the lower half of your face from the sun, the same way a Buff or neck gaiter would. Again, they are built of a lightweight UV protective material and come in tons of stylish colors. I would not recommend these hoodies for in-water activities, however. While the hood may seem practical, the loose nature of it will likely just slip around on your head as soon as you don your mask. I would still recommend the options I discuss in this blog for all your in-water snorkeling gear.
