Buzz
Discover the basics of breathing and swimming with a snorkel
Snorkeling is an enjoyable and peaceful way to explore the stunning world beneath the ocean's surface. With a transparent mask and a short breathing tube, snorkelers can stay face-down in the water, breathing effortlessly while taking in the beauty of coral reefs and aquatic creatures. This allows you to observe the marine life up close without disturbing them or needing to surface for air constantly. Simply floating and absorbing the underwater landscape offers a welcome escape from daily stresses.
Key Tips to Keep in Mind
- Experiment with various snorkels and masks to find the perfect fit. Once you find a comfortable one, tighten the adjustable straps so the mask seals snugly around your face.
- Once in the water, lie flat on your stomach and gently bite down on the snorkel. Practice slow, steady breaths through the snorkel until you feel comfortable and relaxed.
- If water enters your snorkel, rise to the surface and forcefully exhale to clear the tube before continuing your dive.
Procedure
Beginning Your Snorkeling Adventure
Choose a snorkel and mask that are comfortable for you. Try them on and adjust the straps until they fit properly. If possible, test them in the water to ensure there's no leakage.
- If you have poor vision, you might want to consider a prescription mask to see clearly underwater, without needing glasses or contacts. Disposable masks are also convenient for snorkeling.
Place the mask on your face and adjust the straps until it's securely fitted around your eyes and nose. Ensure the snorkel tube is near your mouth, but don't place it in yet.
Float on your stomach in the water. Position your face in the water, keeping it at a slight 45-degree angle.
Gently bite down on the snorkel's mouthpiece. Let your lips form a seal around the tube, holding it in place securely.
Take slow, steady breaths through the snorkel. Breathe deeply and steadily through your mouth, staying calm. There's no rush – if you ever need to, just lift your head above the water. Focus on your breathing and let the sound of it through the snorkel become your guide. Once you get into a comfortable rhythm, simply relax and take in the underwater world around you.
Wear a flotation vest. This helps you float easily on the water's surface with minimal effort. Many guided snorkeling tours require you to wear a brightly colored life vest for safety purposes.
Mastering the Art of Clearing Your Snorkel
Breathe with caution. During your snorkeling adventure, it's inevitable that some water will enter your snorkel. This might happen due to waves, splashing, or dipping your head too far underwater. Knowing how to clear your snorkel will help you avoid disruptions and continue enjoying your experience.
Hold your breath and submerge your head underwater, letting the snorkel’s end dip below the surface. You'll start to feel water entering the snorkel tube.
Bring your head to the surface without fully lifting it out of the water. Ensure that the end of the snorkel tube is now above the waterline.
Exhale sharply and forcefully into the snorkel. This powerful burst of air will clear almost all the water from the snorkel tube.
Use a second forceful exhale to expel any remaining water. By repeating the blast method, you should effectively clear all water from the snorkel.
Take control of your airway. Occasionally, you might have water in your snorkel when your lungs are empty. If only a small amount of water is present, take a slow, controlled breath, ensuring no water enters your mouth until you have enough air to perform a full blast. If there’s too much water, raise your head above the water and take a breath around the mouthpiece.
Learn how to dive. Once you're confident in clearing your snorkel, try diving beneath the surface to get a closer view of something interesting. Take a deep breath, swim down, and when you need air, resurface, keeping your face submerged, and clear the snorkel tube as you’ve practiced.
Snorkeling While Swimming
Wear fins on your feet. Fins help amplify your movements, allowing you to glide forward swiftly without causing excessive splashing or turbulence.
Keep your arms by your sides to minimize resistance, and extend your legs so the fins point behind you. Try to keep your legs close together to streamline your movement.
With your knees slightly bent, kick steadily and powerfully using the fins. Keep your strokes smooth and controlled. Focus on using your hips to generate power, and avoid kicking from your knees, as it will waste energy.
Kick with more emphasis downward and less upward while arching your back slightly. To move efficiently, focus on powering forward with downward strokes in the water.
Keep your fins submerged while kicking. Try to avoid splashing, as this can disturb marine life and be bothersome to other swimmers around you.
Move with the flow of the waves. While snorkeling is best in calm waters, you should still learn to adjust your movements to the natural rise and fall of the waves.
Swim at a steady, comfortable pace to conserve energy. Snorkeling isn’t a competition—take your time and enjoy the experience, as a good session can last for hours.
Creating a Great Snorkeling Experience
Choose the right location. Look for areas with calm waters and a rich variety of peaceful marine life. Shallow reefs are ideal, but deeper spots can also be rewarding, especially those accessed by boat. Ask locals or refer to guidebooks to find the best spots, and avoid crowded areas.
Master the technique for clearing your snorkel tube."I had snorkeled in the Maldives before, but I still had trouble with clearing water from my snorkel tube. The detailed step-by-step guide, along with images showing how to hold your breath, submerge the tube, resurface, and forcefully exhale, was incredibly helpful. Now, I’m confident in my ability to keep my airway clear during any future snorkeling trips."- Helen R.
Choose the perfect weather and location for your snorkeling adventure."I found the advice on when and where to snorkel really useful. Living in the Florida Keys, I wanted to try snorkeling off the beach before committing to a pricey boat trip to the reefs. The recommendation to go on a sunny day and pick a spot with calm, shallow waters helped me have a fantastic first experience right from the shore."- Deb S.
Acquire fundamental snorkeling skills."The article gave me a clear, general overview, teaching me how to prepare with the right gear, relax while breathing through the snorkel, clear any water from the tube, and swim efficiently. As a beginner, this concise guide covered everything I needed to feel confident trying snorkeling for the first time."- Editha M.
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Snorkel on a sunny day. It's difficult to see underwater through a dark, cloudy sky. Plan your snorkeling for midday when the water is clear and bright. Storms stir up silt that clouds the water, so if it rained the night before, you might want to postpone your trip by a day.
Learn to identify different fish and corals. Think you've seen it all? Not if you understand what you're looking at. Learn the shapes and colors of fish species found around your local beaches and turn your swim into an underwater exploration. If you spot a new fish, take note of its patterns and research it later.
- Don't forget sunscreen! You could spend hours on the surface, and without applying strong, waterproof sunblock, you'll end up with a painful sunburn. Even on cloudy days, the water's reflective surface can intensify the sun's rays.
- Respect marine life. Avoid disturbing the creatures and coral reefs you encounter. Coral is particularly fragile, and any piece you damage or remove may take years to recover.
Warnings
- Stay aware of your surroundings. Following a school of sparkling fish can easily lead you farther from shore than you intended. Stay mindful of your position to avoid getting too far out into open water.
- Being in the ocean carries risks. You may encounter sharks, jellyfish, or other potentially dangerous marine creatures even in popular snorkeling spots. Be cautious of rip currents and large waves that can pull you into deeper water or slam you against rocks. Always make sure you're confident in your swimming skills and never snorkel alone.
- Avoid hyperventilating. Steady, controlled breathing is crucial when snorkeling. Rapid breathing or hyperventilating can lead to fainting, which is a serious risk in the water.
- Stay hydrated. The ocean can dehydrate you quickly. If you plan on snorkeling for extended periods, take breaks to drink fresh water. Never drink salt water!
Essential Gear
- 1 diving mask
- 1 snorkel tube
- 1 pair of fins
- A swimsuit or wetsuit for colder conditions
- Sun protection (sunblock)
