Snorkeling is easy and inexpensive. With swimfins and a snorkel mask, you have the snorkel gear needed to learn the basics of snorkeling our great coral reefs.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimated as much as 95 percent of the world’s oceans and 99 percent of the ocean floor are unexplored. Is it any wonder we are fascinated with what lies below the ocean’s surface?
Scuba and snorkeling are great ways to explore the coral reefs in this underwater paradise, but scuba requires a significant investment of time and money. Snorkeling is relatively easy and inexpensive.
Learn the basics of snorkeling in one quick easy story.
Is it worth the effort to learn the basics of snorkeling?
The ability to float through the water and watch fish, eels, sharks, stingrays, and any other form of sea life in its natural surroundings, has fascinated people for decades. Watching a coral reef sway in the waves with all its brightly colored fronds as you kick your swimfins is an unbelievable experience.
So is having fish come right up to your snorkel mask. Papa Joe and I have actually had fish come close enough to brush our snorkel mask with their snout. No lie. How about the experience of swimming past a coral reef and seeing eyeballs peering out from between the coral? Unreal.
Is it any wonder deep-sea diving and snorkeling are favorite activities at tropical destinations?
Basics of Snorkeling – the 101.
So what do YOU need to explore this underwater playground? For snorkeling – you need plenty of curiosity. That’s about it.
Yep, believe it or not, all that is required to snorkel is swimfins, a snorkel mask, and a snorkel – you know, that tube that allows us to be underwater like the fish we love to watch so much. Some snorkel masks even come with a breathing tube attached.
That’s all. Now, there is other snorkel gear that may make snorkeling more enjoyable. Like wearing a personal floatation device (otherwise known as a life jacket or PFD).
Wearing a PFD allows you to float along with minimal effort, or swim through a choppy current much easier than without the device. A PFD also allows our children to enjoy coral reefs in this underwater paradise safely. It also provides safety for those who don’t know how to swim, or who aren’t great swimmers (like me).
What else is required for snorkeling?
If the water is cool, wetsuit gear may be helpful. Personally, I’ve never snorkeled in water cool enough to warrant a wetsuit, but my long-sleeve rash guard did come in handy. Most of my snorkeling destinations have been warm tropical locations, and most of your destinations will be too.
My personal favorite though is the use of a full-face snorkel mask instead of an eyes-only snorkel mask. The full snorkel face mask lets my asthmatic, slightly anxious self, breathe normally underwater without the fear of breathing in saltwater.
Papa Joe and I first experienced these full-face snorkel masks in Brazil, and since then have found them to be readily available from Amazon. We carry our snorkel masks and swimfins when we travel to snorkeling destinations.
A word to the wise – make sure to have all hair pulled away from the face. Full-face snorkel masks need to have a good seal on your face for them to work right. Ordering the correct size is also very important for any snorkel gear. If you purchase your own snorkel gear be sure to read the reviews and follow the sizing guide.
For me, good snorkel gear and my own snorkel mask are huge “basics of snorkeling”. Without them, I’m not in the water. Do they contribute to the bulky luggage I have to drag behind me to tropical destinations?
Yep, they sure do, but the sacrifice is more than worth it. Unless you are a die-hard snorkeler, this step is totally not necessary for you.
Any other snorkel gear to discuss?
Yup. Swimfins need a brief mention. If you are snorkeling during an excursion, swimfins and a snorkel mask are likely included. However, if you are like Papa Joe and me and choose to purchase your own snorkel gear, knowing what swimfins to purchase is a little tricky.
Read the reviews and measure carefully before purchasing swimfins. A correct fit is crucial – you don’t want the buggers to slip off while you are in the water, and you may get blisters if they fit too tightly.
The other consideration for swimfins is selecting a full-length or a short version of swimfins. Papa Joe and I purchased the short version – they are easier to pack.
I believe that was a mistake. When swimming through choppy water, or if you want to remain in the water for a significant period of time, full-length swimfins will help you swim more efficiently and more effectively.
Unless you know for certain your destination will have calm waters for snorkeling, the short version may end up hindering you.
Any other required equipment?
A sacrifice that wouldn’t be worth dragging behind me, but I highly recommend if you have the opportunity to try it, is the Torpedo. The Torpedo is a pressurized cylinder that straps onto your chest and then propels you through the water with no effort from the swimmer.
Think that sounds lazy? It may be but consider this. In Brazil, Papa Joe found it allowed him to travel much further away from his starting point than he would have been able to without the Torpedo. It even allowed him to gulp in a lungful of air, and follow a diving turtle. Consider renting a Torpedo if you get a chance. It is a pretty amazing add-on snorkel gear item.
What other basics of snorkeling are recommended?
A companion. Anytime you travel, someone to share it with is always high on my list. It is also a great idea to have someone else that knows you are in the water. What time you got in the water, when to expect you to get out of the water, and where you are at. Safety always has to come first.
A waterproof camera is also very high on my list. We recently purchased a waterproof Nikon, and are amazed at the photos it takes. Our cover photo, header, and first video were both taken on this camera.
We have also found our GoPro to be great for taking pics underwater. Before diving in, practice how your GoPro mounts to make sure you get great photos before the opportunity is gone.
PapaJoe has tried his GoPro as a head mount and played with it as a chest mount, but we think a wrist mount will end up being the best. I will update you with that after our next snorkeling adventure.
For those folks that know how to scuba, many more ocean treasures are able to be experienced. Learning to scuba is on our bucket list for 2020, and there will be posts about scuba diving when we are able to share.
What other basics of snorkeling are worth mentioning?
Snorkeling is pretty easy. Patience, a little spending money, and not much else is required. Check out your destination and find out what snorkeling is like. Our favorite spots are in Belize, which has the Belize Barrier Reef, acclaimed as the #1 snorkeling destination in the world, Dominican Republic, and between the Pitons in Saint Lucia also had great snorkeling. Follow the links for each of these destinations if you want to learn more about them and the snorkeling opportunities they offer.
Dry Tortuga National Park in Florida was an interesting place to snorkel, the coral reef lies around the fort exterior walls, which was a really unique experience.
We have also snorkeled in Brazil and several other locations in Florida and the next snorkeling destination was Panama. The coral reef in Panama wasn’t perfect, but still very interesting.
How much does snorkeling cost?
We have found the costs to vary, depending on how accessible the snorkeling site is, the popularity of the site, and the time of year. Visibility and photos are best when the sun is directly overhead, which means summer for the destination and sunny days. The photo below was taken on a sunny day, and I am amazed at how we can see shadows on the ocean floor. Incredible!
Most sites are located offshore. Offshore sites require a short boat ride to get there and tend to be more expensive than sites directly offshore. I always like to share opportunities for savings when I find them and like to check tour ratings on TripAdvisor (otherwise known as Viator). This discount option might be helpful for you. Save up to 50% off tours and activities on Viator.
My nuts and bolts are easy. Do it. I am not a Skinny-Minnie. The opportunity to float easily, catching glimpses of the coral reefs in our amazing underwater world, is incredible. Don’t let an opportunity to explore the underwater world go to waste!
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