7 Tips for First Time Snorkeling

When you are going on vacation, you want to have new experiences. One of the things that a lot of people do when they are on vacation is go snorkeling. Below are seven tips that you can use when you are snorkeling for the first time.

1. Start Where You’re Comfortable

The best place to begin snorkeling is somewhere you’re comfortable like a pool or lake. This will make you feel a lot more at ease than if you jump right into the ocean at the beach.

2. Make Sure You Have Comfortable Equipment

There is nothing worse than having your mask pinching your face and leaking. It’s going to run your whole experience. When you try your mask on the very first time, think about how you’re going to wear it for the next couple of hours. Are you in pain? Is it snug without being really tight? You want to make sure that you are happy with the way it fits so that you can enjoy your experience. A way that you can quickly test your mask’s seal and comfort is to press it against the face while forcefully inhaling through your nostrils. Your mask’s seal should be secure so that you don’t have to hold the mask to your face.

3. Think Fins

It’s not always necessary to have fins on your feet. If you’re going to snorkel eventually out in the open water, buying fins is a good idea since they make you faster and more agile. However, if you’re staying in a shallow area, your snorkel and mask are all you need.

If you choose not to buy fins, or you forget them, it’s a good idea to wear footwear to protect your feet. Reef shoes, water socks, or even some light sneakers will be fine for protecting your feet. There are sharp rocks and shells that you could step on, and if you cut them on the reef, they can take a while to heal.

4. Don’t Snorkel Alone

You want to make sure that you are going with someone when you snorkel. You never know when something could happen and the last thing you want is to have something happen where you need help and no one is there to help you.

5. Know the Waters

You want to check the things like tides, waves, currents and other things before you go snorkeling, particularly if you’re going in the ocean. If you’re not sure of the tides and other things about the water, it’s best not to go out. Speak with a lifeguard to find out what the conditions are.

6. Relax

Take some deep breaths and relax your extremities mentally. You’re going to find it truly amazing the way your body’s finding its natural buoyancy and you don’t have to do anything. Floating with your face in the water and having a snorkel inside your mouth’s going to feel a bit awkward at first, but you’ll eventually acclimate.

7. Take a Waterproof Camera

This is especially true if you’re in a tropical location. You’re going to find a lot of great fish and coral to take pictures of. So take some pictures and you’ll have some wonderful memories from your trip.

These are seven important tips that you should follow when you are snorkeling for the first time. Using these tips will help you ensure that you have a good experience and make a lot of memories.

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We specialize in vacation and annual rentals. Marco Island Vacation Properties® is a family-owned and operated business that has been welcoming visitors to this tropical paradise since 1989. We don’t just hand you the keys and say, “Enjoy your stay.” Our team is available around the clock to assist you with any questions, whether it’s how to work something in your vacation rental or a local recommendation. 

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