Whether you are planning on snorkeling on your holiday, at home, or at your local beach, you want to make the most out of your time in the water. Assuming that you’ve already covered the basics such as covering yourself in sunblock and wearing a nice, warm bath suit depending on the weather, you’re almost ready to delve into snorkeling.
In this post, we’ll share a few tips on how to snorkel like a pro on your next trip. Let’s jump right in.
1. Choose a Quiet Area
When you decide to start snorkeling, the last thing you want is to be surrounded by a lot of people. They can not only scare away the fish, but also get in your way and even cause water to go down your breathing tube with the constant splashing. So, choose a spot where there aren’t too many people and avoid making too many movements yourself for the best results.
Patience is of absolute importance in snorkeling, and you may even find yourself having better success than others, which is completely normal. In case you have trouble finding a quiet spot, consider doing something else in the meantime until there are fewer people around.
Its also a great sport to combine with other water sports such as kayaking and this can be a great way to reach a quiet spot. On the right kayak trips you explore beautiful areas of caves and rock formations about ground, and then when you are ready to cool after you stop at a deserted beach to enjoy some snorkeling. A great place for snorkel and kayak trips is Lagos in Portugal and it’s a great place to explore for all levels of kayaker and snorkeler experience.
2. High Quality Gear
Your snorkeling experience is only going to be worthwhile if you have the right gear. As such, you need to make sure that you have the right gear to make the most out of it. This means choosing a mask that’s of the correct size and fits you comfortably. If you don’t, you’re going to be hurt when wearing it, or suffer from leaks.
Be sure to go to a specialist store like Ninja Shark Snorkeling, which can provide you with the perfect gear for you. Aside from a breathing tube and a mask, you also need some fins. These also have to fit comfortably, and you have to wash away all the sand before wearing them as they could cause painful blisters otherwise. The most recommended kind are the closed heel fins, since they tend to stick to your feet better. Make sure that you get ones in your specific size.
3. Defog the Mask
One of the most annoying things when it comes to wearing masks is having to periodically take it off and wipe the fog buildup. One way to prevent this is to wet your hair and face before putting on the mask. This will make our face much closer to the sea water temperature before you wear the mask, and this will lower the risk of fogging.
Nonetheless, you need to be careful not to get any hair caught in the mask, since it can lead to leakage. Another way to defog your mask is applying some toothpaste on the inside of your mask and then rubbing it all over the lenses before rinsing it well. This will go a long way in stopping the fogging. Applying spit can also work, though toothpaste generally works best. But make sure you rinse it well to avoid any of it getting in your eyes.
4. Practice Breathing
As odd as it sounds, when it comes to snorkeling, practicing to breath as you do it all day without much thought actually helps. You need to get used to breathing through the snorkel first before you get it into the water. This will get you used to the feeling of the small bit of air flow resistance that’s created when using a snorkel.
While in the water, you should also practice shooting water out of the other end of the snorkel with a big puff of air to help prepare yourself in case it happens unexpectedly. Some snorkels do come with purge valve or another mechanism to get rid of any water, so be sure to check the specific instructions on yours for what to do with these.
You also need to be aware that sometimes, water may cover your snorkel entirely, which may require you to push it all out. Breathing slowly in such a situation will help keep you from inhaling water, and also let you when water gets to you mouth and when the snorkel needs clearing.
5. Positions
One of the best ways to snorkel is to have your hands cross over your chest, and to kick with your fins gently. Crossing your arms is also a great way to keep warm in case the temperatures begin to dip. Ensure that you don’t use your knees when kicking, and instead move from your ankles. This helps to produce a fairly small splash, which prevents you from startling the fish.
When you are calm and breath regularly, you;ll naturally stay afloat on the water surface, and you therefore don’t have to worry about sinking. Keep in mind that snorkeling needs patience, so just stay relaxed with your arms in a crossed position for a while and enjoy the experience. If your arms are starting to feel a bit stiff, you can always try to lay them out in front or having them by your side. You can also experiment and find a more comfortable position for you.
6. Know your Limits
This is perhaps the best tip to snorkeling. It applies to knowing exactly when you are tired, and your personal ability to swim back to the shore. Of course, you don’t want to get stranded out in the sea. As such, you have to be aware of your current position in the waters in respect to the shore. After all, what’s the point of pushing yourself too hard in your snorkeling session and then turning it into something dangerous?
Know your limits also in terms of the things you are allowed to do (and can’t do) in different places. For instance, the beach might have a restricted area where swimmers are not allowed for whatever reason. Another instance would be in rules surrounding touching the coral. You don’t want to damage the natural habitat (yours is just to observe), and you wouldn’t want to get stabbed by a sea urchin either. Other than this, relax and enjoy your snorkeling experience.
Snorkeling can be a lot of fun. You get to see lots of different things depending on the location, time of day, and country. So, keep your eyes wide open.
