How to Not Look Like a Snorkel Dork With These 10 Snorkeling Tips

Are you looking to go snorkeling on your next vacation?

Snorkeling can be a lot of fun. It’s a great sport for all ages, and it’s a great way for you to connect with underwater life. However, if you’re new to snorkeling, there are some things you should know before your first dive.

Check out this guide to discover how to not look like a dork when snorkeling with these top snorkeling tips.

1. Choose the Right Equipment

In order to make your snorkeling experience the best it can be, you need to make sure you choose the right equipment. Here’s everything you need for a good day of snorkeling:

Mask

The best type of snorkeling mask is one that comes with wide eye sockets that cover your nose. These masks ensure that you don’t inhale water once your head is under the water.

Some snorkeling masks these days cover the entire face. While these masks may look a little funny, they work wonders in terms of making it easy for you to breathe. Plus, these masks give you good peripheral vision.

It’s also a good idea to purchase a mask with a head strap, as this way you can adjust it to your liking. Some masks come with extra features that aren’t necessary but helpful, such as scratch-resistance, UV protection, anti-reflection, and anti-fogging capabilities.

Snorkel

In addition to the right mask, you also need the right snorkel. The snorkel is the tube that allows you to breathe once you go underwater.

Whichever snorkel you choose, make sure you select one with a soft mouthpiece, as this will help prevent jaw ache.

Fins

Fins are another essential item for snorkelers. Fins help to improve your safety, mobility, and comfort in the water. They can help you swim more easily and they can help you go deeper into the water.

The longer the fin is, the less effort you have to put in when swimming. You can buy open heel or full-foot fins, and which one you choose really comes down to personal preference. The main thing is to make sure you select a fin that fits snuggly around your foot and doesn’t slip off in the water.

Snorkel Vest and Other Equipment

A snorkel vest is a brightly-colored vest that helps you become more visible to boats and other swimmers. These vests are also mildly buoyant, so they can help you stay in the perfect position when snorkeling.

You can click this link to find out more about selecting the perfect snorkeling vest. Other items you’ll want to bring with you on your snorkeling adventure include:

Sunblock (make sure you choose a sunblock that’s reef-safe)
Underwater camera/GoPro
Wetsuit or rash guard
Anti-fog spray for your mask
Storage bag for your equipment

All of these items will help make your snorkeling experience more enjoyable.

2. Practice Before You Head Out

Before you snorkel in the depths of the ocean, it’s a good idea to practice with your gear on either in a pool or in a calm, shallow part of the ocean. This way, if there are any issues with your gear or anything that’s making you uncomfortable, you can resolve them before heading out to open water.

When practicing, make sure that your mask isn’t leaking. If it is, then you likely need to adjust the strap. You should also practice purging water from your snorkel by blowing hard to force the water out of the top of it.

Also, make sure to spend some time kicking around in your fins so you can get used to working your leg muscles in this way.

3. Choose the Right Location

Once you’ve got some practice under your belt, it’s time to choose the right location for your snorkeling adventure.

While many snorkelers join boat tours, if this is your first time snorkeling, we suggest going from the beach so you can get the hang of things. Jumping off of a boat into the deep water can be very intimidating for first-time snorkelers.

Make sure you choose a spot from the beach that has a lot of coral and fish, as this will make your experience more enjoyable. If you’re not sure where the best spot is, find a local to ask. Or, if you’re staying at a resort, you can ask one of the workers for some advice.

Lastly, make sure you pick a calm spot of the ocean. Typically, it’s best to go in the morning, as this is usually when the ocean is at its calmest. Also, if there are surfers nearby, make sure to stay a good distance away from them.

4. Respect the Ocean

Remember that as a snorkeler, you’re a guest to the ocean.

One of the most important things to remember as a guest is that you should never touch fish, coral, or any other sea life. While it’s fine to take pictures with your underwater camera, make sure you’re staying a respectable distance from larger sea creatures. If a sea animal swims underneath you, lift your legs up so they can easily pass by.

It’s very unlikely that you’ll encounter any predatory species while snorkeling, such as sharks or barracudas. However, it’s always a good idea to research local sea life before heading out and to understand what to do if you come near any of these animals.