Not Quite as Involved as SCUBA Diving, but Underwater Adventure Nonetheless!
A Guam Snorkeling Buddy Dives Down to Take a Closer Look Between Merizo and Cocos Island
Snorkeling on a Tropical Reef is an Unequaled Experience!
When we first arrived on the island of Guam, we were just getting acclimated to the fact that we were on a tropical island. My sister was a good swimmer, my Dad swam fairly well, but my Mom and I didn't know how to swim--fear of the water was probably our issue. No, it wasn't probably our issue, it WAS our issue.Within a week after we arrived on island, neighbors invited us to a beach picnic/party... in addition to the ice chests full of stuff to barbeque, salads, sodas, and other goodies, out of the back of their van they pulled a huge duffle bag and dragged it down to the beach. Then, they asked if we'd like some "entertainment" before the barbeque would be ready--and pulled the snorkels and masks out of the bag.
I didn't really want to get in the water. But they said that all I had to do was keep my tennis shoes on and keep the mask and snorkel on my face and bend over at my waist and sort of walk in the waist-deep water with my face submerged. They reminded me that I could breathe through the snorkel tube. After some demonstrations and some prompting, I decided to give it a try--my sister was already in the water and seeming to be having a good time. That first experience was scary, thrilling, exciting, and fun all at once. My sister and I were hooting into our snorkel tubes at each other as we pointed out the amazing variety of fish swarming around us amongst the coral heads and the clumps of seaweed.
From then on, we were hooked. That same week, we drove into town to a dive shop to get our face masks and snorkels. We used our old tennis shoes for foot protection. Almost every weekend after that for the remaining time on the island, you would find us at any of the beaches on Guam enjoying snorkeling in the warm tropical waters.
Using Tongs to Hold a Trochus (Top Shell) Found While Snorkeling
Gear for Getting Into Snorkeling the Right Way!
U.S. Divers Cozumel Mask, Seabreeze Dry Snorkel, and Proflex II Fin Snorkeling Set
US Divers Cozumel Dive Set - Consisting of the Coz more...0 points
U.S. Divers St. Tropez Mask, SeaBreeze Snorkel, Trek Travel Fins & Snorkeling Bag
Looking for that snorkeling gear for your vacation more...0 points
U.S.Divers Admiral Lx / Island Dry Lx / Trek / Travel Bag (Black, Fin Size 10-13)
ACAPULCO / CREST / CABO / MESH & VINYL TRAVEL more...0 points
Snorkeling Scuba Dive Mask Dry Snorkel Fins Gear Set
Promate Matrix Silicone Mask- Ideal for medium to more...0 points
Cressi Men's Pluma Bag Mask Fins and Snorkel Set
Cressi Sub Pluma Fin, Perla Mask, and the Gamma Sn more...0 points
Even on Guam, There's a Great Variety of Snorkeling Opportunities
But it's a Must to Learn About the Dangers Involved as Well!
We soon learned that different beaches and coral reefs around Guam had different things we had to be aware of. Some of the beaches had narrow fringing reefs and would be easier to explore during low tides. Other beaches had wide fringing reefs and were generally safe to explore no matter what the tides were.For almost the first year on Guam, we'd snorkel with our neighbors on weekends--because they had been on the island a lot longer (and they were also experienced SCUBA divers), they had a better familiarity with the characteristics of the waters around Guam.
During the first month on the island, our neighbors invited us to a presentation by the Guam Shell Club on the dangers of shell collecting on Western Pacific reefs--namely, the dangerous, venomous, and deadly cone shells. They also informed us on the dangers of mantis shrimp, moray eels, stonefish, turkeyfish, sea anemones, sea urchins, sea snakes, fire coral, jellyfish and portuguese man-o-war, and, of course, sharks.
This list of potentially dangerous critters that we might encounter while snorkeling might have phased anyone with less familiarity with dangerous animals, but since we had hiked and camped in the forests and deserts of Montana and New Mexico with scorpions, Gila monsters, and rattlesnakes, we decided that if we used good sense (maybe not "common sense"... because sometimes it isn't that "common"), and gave these animals the respect they deserved, they wouldn't bother us.
Snorkeling by the Bay.... eBay, That Is!
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Fins Can Provide More Power to Your Snorkeling--and Allow You to Move More Effectively
When the Screen Flickers (Not Flippers!) You May See Underwater Scenes!
Snorkeling shows up frequently on the big screen (and small ones, for those of you with TVs!).... For instance, James Bond seems to like snorkeling a lot--in the movies Dr. No, Thunderball, For Your Eyes Only, Never Say Never, and License to Kill (among others), you can see the superspy with snorkel gear (and SCUBA gear as well). And, if you don't see any snorkeling movies (or something closer to what you'd like) below, just click on one of the items listed below, then type in a more specific phrase or keyword in the search box you'll see on the new page. You'll be amazed at the selection you'll see!
- 001- Casino Royale
Martin Campbell (GoldenEye) directs the 21st film adaptation of the 007 franchise, which marks Danie...- 002- Blood Diamond
In war-ravaged Sierra Leone, diamond smuggler Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) learns that a local f...- 003- 3:10 to Yuma
Box office heavyweights Christian Bale and Russell Crowe pool their A-list talents for director Jame...- 004- Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Marriage has gotten stale and predictable for John and Jane Smith, an average-on-the-surface husband...- 005- The Dark Knight
In this blockbuster sequel to Batman Begins, the caped crusader (Christian Bale) teams with Lt. Jame...- Try Netflix free for 14 days
Snorkel Trio (Coconut Buddy) on Guam
Read Up On What You'll Discover Under the Surface!
They say that you can't learn how to swim by reading and not getting into the pool, but at least having a good idea of what to expect under the surface is a good way to get started! Check out these great resources!
Best Dives' Snorkeling Adventures (3rd Edition) (Best Dives Snorkeling Adventures) by Joyce Huber, Jon Huber, Claudia Sammartino
A favorite of cruise ship travelers and island vac more...0 points
Snorkeling Guide to Marine Life: Florida Caribbean Bahamas by Paul Humann, Ned DeLoach
This field guide illustrates all the fish, corals, more...0 points
Best Dives' Snorkeling Adventures : A Guide to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Hawaii & Florida Keys by Joyce Huber
"Best Dives' Snorkeling Adventures" is a more...0 points
Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Cozumel (Lonely Planet Diving and Snorkeling Guides) by George Lewbel, Larry R Martin
Cozumel is home to crystalline waters and colorful more...0 points
The Simple Guide to Snorkeling Fun (Diversification Series) by Steven M. Barsky
A solid introduction to snorkeling fun. Mask, fins more...0 points
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling for Dummies by John Newman
For millions of Americans, diving offers the chanc more...0 points
Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Guam & Yap (Diving & Snorkeling Guides) by Tim Rock
Dubbed the 'Hard Coral Capitals' of Micronesia, th more...0 points
Lonely Planet Palau: Diving & Snorkeling by Tim Rock, Francis Toribiong
The Palau archipelago in Micronesia boasts a huge more...0 points
Snorkeling Near Ngermeaus Island, Republic of Palau, Micronesia
Snorkeling Things to Consider...
You Don't Want to Get in Deep Trouble!
Once you've become familiar with the critters you'll see when you are snorkeling, you also must know about the physical aspects of where you're snorkeling. You'll need to keep track of the waves and tides (this may depend on the size of the reef flat, the angle of the beach, and the time of year) before you head out to a beach.You must be aware of "rogue waves" that sometimes sneak up onshore to wash away unsuspecting reef walkers and beach combers. You must be aware of "storm surge" that can get nasty even before or after a tropical storm or typhoon gets near shore. Also, you must be aware of rip-currents that during particular weather/wave conditions will flow parallel to the beach and then also forming "sucking currents" away from the beach. You must know how to recognize these hazards as well as how to cope with them if you find yourself inadvertently being caught by them.
Snorkeling the Merizo - Cocos Island Channel, Guam
If You Want to Snorkel, You May Need to Get to Where There's Water! Warm Water! Tropical Water!
Plan Your Trip By Entering Your Destinations Below!
By the way, Guam's airport code is GUM, Hawaii's (Honolulu) is HNL, Manila is MNL... you get the idea, right?
Exploring the Depths of Guam's Merizo-Cocos Island Channel by Snorkel!
Snorkeling Evolves Into More than Just a Weekend Activity
Previously, I mentioned that I started snorkeling on Guam by just walking around on the reef flat in the shallows while bending over at the waist with my face in the water (breathing through the snorkel tube, of course). I may have looked funny, but, hey, I was enjoying what I was seeing... and this method of snorkeling suited me fine for the first two to three months on the island.On one weekend, however, I had a revelation about snorkeling... Our neighbors and we were at Ricky's Beach (a beach with a steep slope, narrow fringing reef, on the rough Eastern side of the island) having our usual weekend barbeque picnic and snorkeling outing. As we normally did, we walked into the warm, clear water near shore, and proceeded to bob around with our faces in the water. The water was a little rough because there was an approaching tropical storm still many miles away, but close enough to generate larger-than-usual waves. The tide was coming in as well, and as we were in the water, the waves made it hard to keep our footing on the reef rubble bottom.
Then, without warning, a large wave came in and pushed me off my feet--moving me toward shore. One moment I was standing firmly on the reef, and the next moment, I was being pushed toward shore with my feet not touching the bottom. I could still breathe through the snorkel tube and I could sort of control where I was heading by paddling with my hands... and this experience gave me the realization that I could float quite well. As the waves pushed me closer to shore, I was able to get my feet back down on the reef bottom and stand up. But I was never again afraid of floating... essentially, I had learned a basic tenet of "swimming."
From then on, I snorkeled with my feet stretched out behind me... and this allowed me to "snorkel" in water only a foot or two deep... as well as in water that was way over my head. This also required an addition to my snorkel gear--when walking on the reef, it's best to have sturdy tennis shoes, but when floating in a prone position, tennis shoes don't give one much ability to "swim" and "manuever" well. So, we made another shopping trip to the downtown dive shop to buy sets of fins.... swim fins. It was amazing how much speed and power those gave us when we were in the water. We could cover so much more area by swimming with fins than we could with tennis shoes.
Striped and Blue Damselfish, Tumon Bay Reef Flat During Low Tide, Guam
Snorkeling During Medium Tide, Ngermeaus Island Reef Flat, Republic of Palau, Micronesia
Striped Damselfish near Coral Head and Algae Clusters, Tumon Bay Reef Flat, Guam
Abudefduf Banded Damselfish, Pago Bay Reef Flat During Low Tide, Guam
Snorkel Decorations ... Show the World You Love Snorkeling!
Snorkeling in Paradise Journal
Journal
Price: 11.99
Snorkeling in Paradise Mousepad
Mousepad
Price: 12.99
Snorkeling in Paradise Keepsake Box
Keepsake Box
Price: 21.99
Snorkeling in Paradise Mug
Mug
Price: 12.99
Snorkeling in Paradise Rectangle Magnet
Rectangle Magnet
Price: 4.99
Striped and Blue Damselfish on Staghorn Coral Reef Flat During Low Tide, Tumon Bay, Guam
Snorkeling During Medium Tide, Ipan Talofofo Reef Flat, Guam
Goodies to Supplement Your Snorkel Gear!
Eat Sleep Snorkel Dark T-Shirt
Eat Sleep Snorkel. Be proud to be a geek or nerd (or a snorkeler), especially since it's very cool lately! Get this fun Ultra Geek design on great t-shirts, stickers, magnets, & much more!
Snorkeling View of the Undercut "Nips" of the Rock Islands on the Reef Flat, Ngemeaus Island, Republic of Palau
Never Snorkel Alone--Always Go With At Least A "Snorkel Buddy"--and Preferably with Larger Groups
The Joy of Experiencing the First Snorkeling Experience--Kaneoe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
Kicking Fins Up While Snorkeling to Aid in a Dive, Kaneoe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
Come Up For Air For A Bit... and Leave a Note!
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Reply
- Ramkitten Ramkitten Sep 1, 2009 @ 6:02 pm
- Love the photos, Dave! I've been snorkeling several times--the Red Sea (which was AMAZING), Aruba, the Bahamas and Bermuda--and just love it, though I admit I get nervous when it gets deep. Silly, huh? It's just the vastness of the ocean that gets me. It's like, part of me is afraid to see what's down there. I prefer snorkeling in no more than about 15 or 20 feet of water, above a reef. Anyhow, this is a great lens. I really enjoyed it.
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Reply
- NAIZA NAIZA Aug 8, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
- What an awesome lens! I've never experience snorkeling before. For sure it was a great experience. Def, a fabulous five!
by EditorDave
Living on Guam is what now "defines" me. It was such a dramatic difference in my life and outlook on things that there's no way I'd be the same...
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