Snorkeling is a great way to experience the underwater world. Although this activity can be a perfect adventure, many people have a poor first-time experience. This is mostly due to the belief that snorkeling requires you to simply put on some gear and go into the water. Even though snorkeling is considered to be a very easy sport, you’ll still need to have some basic skills, decent equipment, and knowledge about the waters you’re entering. Otherwise, a relaxing experience may end up being disastrous.
Choose the Right Snorkeling Gear
The most important thing that you need to do before you go snorkeling is choose snorkel equipment that’s perfect for you. In order to get a sense of what fits you, you should try on a few different snorkeling sets and see which one you’re most comfortable with.
First of all, you need to choose a mask that fits you perfectly. They come in a number of different shapes and sizes, so you’ll need to do some testing before buying one.
Secondly, if you’re new to snorkeling, then you should get a dry snorkel. This kind of snorkel has a valve on top that was specifically designed to close whenever your snorkel goes underwater. Lastly, you will need snorkel fins that fit you. If they’re too tight, you will end up getting a foot cramp. On the other hand, even if they’re just a little loose, they may slip off your feet when you get into the water.
Also read: The Best Snorkeling Wetsuits – A 2021 Guide
Practice
Now that you have the right gear, it’s important that you practice a bit before actually venturing into the sea. The best places to practice are either in shallow and calm waters at the beach or in a pool where it’s not too crowded. Snorkeling is fairly easy to learn, so it practicing probably won’t take up a lot of your time.
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Protect Yourself from Sunburn
Sunscreen is extremely important when you’re going snorkeling. If you don’t choose the right sunscreen and don’t reapply it every time you leave the water, then you’ll most likely get sunburn and won’t be able to enjoy this activity during the next few to several days. Remember that you shouldn’t buy just any sunscreen, but rather high quality that was designed to keep you protected when you spend a lot of time exposed to the sunlight.
If you want additional protection, then you should get a rash guard. This will not only protect you from sunburn, but it will also keep you safe from stingers such as jellyfish. You can buy anything from a rash guard T-shirt to full-body suits. Nowadays, rash guards are getting more popular because they come in all sorts of colors and prints, which means that you can still look stylish even when you’re snorkeling.
Stay Relaxed
The mistake that most first-time snorkelers make is that they use up most of their energy within several minutes. Remember that snorkeling is not an activity that requires you to be moving at a fast pace. Instead, swim slowly and enjoy the majestic beauty of the underwater world.
If you’re not careful and don’t use your energy wisely, you’ll end up completely wiped out very quickly. Ideally, you should swim at a pace that will allow you to breathe through your snorkel slowly. You should only swim rapidly if your safety is in question.
Bring a Friend
It’s always a good idea to bring someone along when you’re trying out a new activity. Ask a friend or loved one if they would be interested in snorkeling and plan a trip with them. If you’re going with someone it will be more fun, since you’ll have someone to share the experience with.
Check the Condition of the Sea
The sea can be very unpredictable, which is why you should always check its condition before going into the water. Additionally, you shouldn’t go snorkeling if you’re not at a public beach or if a lifeguard is not around.
Choose the Right Location
Choosing the right location is imperative if you want to have a truly memorable experience. For first-time snorkelers, it’s recommended that you go from a beach and not a boat, since jumping into deep waters can be scary if you’re not used to it.
Instead, you should choose a beach that has a lot of corals and fish. If you pick a spot that doesn’t have much underwater life, then you won’t really get the point of snorkeling. Ideally, you should choose a location where there are other snorkelers, as it will surely be comforting to see other people enjoying themselves.
Additionally, it’s extremely important that you choose a spot that’s calm. Going into the ocean when there are waves will surely ruin your first-time experience.
