How to Start Snorkelling: Basic Snorkeling Tips and Snorkelling Gear

DUCKS
by bethany_austin

I can't swim very well!
Snorkelling is easier than swimming - and make sure you stay in the shallows until you are confident!

This is definitely a problem, as you are in the water - but snorkelling is more about floating on the top than struggling to move around, so it's not a complete disaster. If you are a poor swimmer, you should find snorkelling the easier option, as you don't have to keep your face out of the water! You can just relax and swim face down instead of thrashing about.

Fins make swimming a lot easier - you don't need to use your arms at all, unless you want to turn around in a tight corner. A wetsuit will help you float better - and salt water is denser than freshwater, so you won't sink as much in the ocean as you would in a pool.

However, if you do run into trouble, or need to take the mask off, you should know how to swim enough to stay in place and manage your equipment. The best way to manage this is to stay in the shallows, so you can actually stand up if you need to (it's easy to snorkel in shallow water). And if you're really not sure, stick with a buddy.

The equipment always leaks and is uncomfortable
If you're new to snorkelling, then I'm guessing you always borrow gear off someone, or hire it? The trick here is to make sure it fits you properly and is fairly good quality. Snorkel gear is always getting better, so the standard of hire gear should go up - but always, always check it fits before jumping in and if you have trouble, try another piece of equipment.

If you stay in a long time - an hour or so - the mask and fins may get a bit tight, and fingers are going to go all wrinkly and you'll get cold, and her lips will feel weird and your jaw will start to ache from biting the snorkel tube - but if you do anything for a long time, there will always be some consequences! You can always get out and have a break, then go back in.

I wear glasses!
I've written a whole section on this further down, but the short version is: you have options. Not easily accessible ones, so you might as well practice in the water to see if you want to keep snorkelling first, but you can get prescription lenses in masks, or even look into flotation devices with viewing panels, as an alternative.

You can wear contacts under your mask - but if you are not confident that you can cope easily should anything go wrong, stay in the shallows or near a buddy.

It's expensive!
Maybe if you have to buy gear for an entire family! But it's actually not that bad - good snorkelling kits (mask, fins, snorkel) can be picked up for around $30-40 each, making them a good price for a Christmas present! If you're going once, hire gear would be cheaper, but if you want to go three or more times, then you might as well buy some equipment.

You can also ask friends and family if they have any masks or fins that you could borrow, and of course, your family can always take turns. People who weren't that keen can go in for a little while, and then pass their gear on to someone else.

I don't want to get my face wet!
Well... you will be in the water. But if you really hate the idea of getting wet, you can look into a snorkeling raft or even a Full Face Scuba Mask!
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What about getting water in my ears?
If you're prone to ear infections, you can always pick up some earplugs, or even a all around Ear Protection Mask.

Masks come in a variety of forms, but they all follow the same principle of strap, lens (or two separate lenses) and seal. Most masks fit most people, but not always - different face shapes and sizes can mean that the mask is either uncomfortable or has gaps around the edges letting the water in.

The strap keeps it on your head and is also what the snorkel tube attaches to. The lens is clear glass or perspex and can either be one giant window or two separate panels. The seal is the rubbery plastic casing around the lens, which holds it away from your face and stops water leaking in around the edges.

It is worth getting a good mask, mostly for comfort, but also for safety. Once you're out in the water, small issues can become major ones, and people tend to panic when water starts hitting them in the face, their mask is leaking, and the snorkel tube is in the wrong place.

What you wear in the water is really up to you. Any basic swimming costume will do fine - as will a tshirt and shorts.

If it is very hot, consider wearing a rash vest or just an old tshirt to protect your back (which will be in the full glare of the sun the entire time, and sunscreen will wash off).

Try and avoid very loose tshirts or other clothing at it will drag and float around you annoyingly.

Wetsuits come in various thicknesses and lengths - you will be choosing between protection and cost, warmth and overheating. They are a pain to get into and out of, and take a long time to dry - but will let you stay in the water much longer and protect you from scrapes and stings.

Wetsuits will also float more, so if you aren't very confident in the water, you may prefer to bob around inside a wetsuit.

If the water is fairly warm, just get a short sleeved/legged wetsuit rather than a full one.