Snorkel Diving Offers a New Way to Look At the World on Vacation

Nothing can be more magical than seeing the beauty of the underwater world. Snorkeling can bring lots of memories to last a lifetime. It is one of the most underrated activities for travelers in tropical destinations.

Knowing how to properly use snorkeling equipment can make the difference between having a great experience of a frustrating and scary one. Snorkeling can be an enjoyable sport with a low barrier of entry as long as you know the proper method for safely using the equipment and swimming out in the ocean.

This article will explain how to snorkel dive effortlessly and have a great open water experience. Most people easily get the hang of it and with practice become good. The following techniques will help go from a beginner snorkel diver to a snorkeling pro. Let's dive right in!

Snorkeling Equipment

The first step to learn how to snorkel is to become familiar with the equipment. You must select pieces of equipment that fit just right. Whether you rent the equipment or buy it, be sure to properly get fitted for it with the help of a professional.

Before heading out to the water, it is recommended that you practice with your equipment ahead of time. A great way to do that is in a shallow pool where you can confidently test your equipment. This will give you plenty of opportunities to get used to the equipment, how it feels and how you can adjust it to ensure it always works for you.

One of the most important pieces of equipment is the mask. It must fit snug but comfortable, not too tight so that it doesn't press down too much on the bridge of the nose. Use the straps to make it snug around your face. It should seal around your face without any gaps. Masks come in various sizes, be sure to choose the one that is appropriate for you.

Test the snorkel to see how it feels in your mouth. Does it pull awkwardly? Is it properly adjusted to the mask so that you can easily take it in and out of your mouth? You can usually adjust both the angle of height of the snorkel as well as the angle where the snorkel attaches to the strap. Some snorkels allow you to rotate and change the angle of the soft silicone bottom. This gives the mouth a much easier angle to feel comfortable with. Finally, put on your fins and feel how you can swim with them. They should feel firm on your feel without much wiggle room, but not constricting your feet.

Learning to Snorkel Dive

After practicing and feeling out the equipment in a shallow pool or calm beach, it is time to check out the open water. The first piece of advice is to approach the activity with calm and relaxation. Swim slowly and maintain a relaxed breathing pattern. Most times you'll be able to float around without much effort. Snorkeling does limit your breathing capacity somewhat, which is why it is better to swim slowly without exertion. Beginners should snorkel from a beach instead of jumping off a boat, which can be much more challenging and dangerous.

The most important factor to keep in mind is to stay calm. Even if you see a small amount of water inside the snorkel, staying calm will allow you to breathe in and out gently and slowly. Taking control of your breathing prevents startling moments where you have trouble with your snorkel and accidentally swallow water. Do not go into open water until you master the proper breathing technique through a snorkel.

How to Move Around

Once you know how to use your equipment and maintain a good breathing pattern, you'll be able to float face down and gently move your fins, spending as little energy as possible. When in the open water, it is a matter of safety to have enough stamina to swim towards safety if necessary.

The fins must remain below the water using a frog or flutter kick when swimming. The kicking motion must come from the hips, not the knees. You won't need to use your arms as your fins should be enough to build enough momentum underwater.

Final Thoughts

Snorkeling can be great fun as long as you can perform it safely. Hiring a snorkel instructor or watching video tutorials and practicing in a pool will be very helpful as you learn the ins and out of this amazing activity.