Anyone can play around in the water with a snorkel. You’ll see a few fish and have a decent time.
But eventually you’ll want to delve into deeper and deadlier waters. We’re going to look at some of the best advanced snorkeling tips that will make sure everything goes right.
How many of these do you know already?
Advanced Snorkeling Tips To Keep In Mind
- Quality masks make a huge difference
- Much more fun with snorkeling fins
- Don’t get lost at sea
- Buddy up for big adventures
- Stop if you’re sore or injured
- Choose the right time and place
- Remember to behave yourself
- Protect yourself from sunburn
1 – Quality masks make a huge difference
The whole point of snorkeling is so you can see everything the sea has to offer, so the quality of your mask makes a huge difference.
Do you wear sunglasses to the movies? No, you want to see flicks as clearly as possible. It’s the same reason why we spend so much money on expensive televisions these days.
So why would you go snorkeling with a mask that doesn’t give you a 180 degree view of the ocean? It’s pointless snorkeling with a mask that will fog up or let water inside.
The best full face snorkel masks are flawless. They have things like anti-fog technology and a dry snorkel to keep water out when you’re fully submerged.
If you want a good recommendation you can’t go wrong with the Wildhorn full face snorkel mask. It’s got so many features you’ll love.
2 – Much more fun with snorkeling fins
Would you race the Indianapolis 500 in an SUV? You would be going so slow around the track you might start to go backwards. The same thing applies trying to snorkel with your bare feet.
You won’t be able to keep up with any speedy fish. Shipwrecks might start passing you by. But when you’re wearing the best snorkeling fins on your feet it’s completely different.
You’ll be able to go fast. Dive much deeper because you’ll be able to reach the surface before running out of air. They’ll allow you to save energy and keep you buoyant too.
Wildhorn Topsids fins are particularly popular because they’re so portable.
Please Note: Just make sure you wear the right fins for the job. For example, bodyboarding flippers are less effective when snorkeling.
3 – Don’t get lost at sea
Everything seems so beautiful you sometimes forget where you are. When you head pops out the water you don’t want to discover your boat is miles away. You need to come up every few minutes to see where you are when out at sea.
You should also be aware of the conditions where you’re snorkeling too. When the seas are rough and currents are strong anything could happen. You’ll learn how to read your surroundings as time goes on.
Just make sure nothing bad happens until that time comes. You don’t want to get lost at sea or you might find yourself living on an uninhabited island.
4 – Buddy up for big adventures
A thousand things can go wrong when you’re snorkeling in the ocean. 99% of those things won’t become a problem if you have a buddy with you. I completely understand it’s not cool to talk about. Nobody wants a babysitter until they need one.
It’s pointless telling you to buddy up with someone if you’re only snorkeling in shallow waters. You wouldn’t listen. But if you’re attempting anything the least bit dangerous don’t do it alone.
On average, 17 people die while snorkeling in Hawaii each year. It’s almost as bad in Australia. Don’t become a statistic.
5 – Stop if you’re sore or injured
Injuries are pretty self-explanatory, right? You might be able to snorkel with a minor injury, but what will you do when it gets worse? Perhaps you won’t be able to make it back to shore. It’s not really sensible to head into the deep blue sea when you’re hurt.
Soreness is something completely different even though it might not look that way at first glance. Overexertion can result in cramps. Once an arm or leg goes it’s a competition to see how long you can stay afloat.
Luckily it’s a lot easier if you’re wearing flippers. Even a pair of cheap fins will help keep your head above water until your cramps go away.
Please Note: If you do insist on snorkeling with pre-existing injuries it might be worth investing in a snorkel vest.
6 – Choose the right time and place
It’s a lot easier to break this down into a few specific categories. We’ll look at each one below in a little detail:
- Enjoyment
- Visibility
- Conditions
Enjoyment – In some places you’ll be able to share the water with unbelievable sea creatures. The underwater flora will be able to take your breath away because it’s so majestic. You might even get to experience one of those sparse shallow shipwrecks.
In other places, the only thing you’ll get to experience is sand. Maybe a few fish that are too small to appreciate. You can snorkel in paradise, hell, or somewhere in between.
Make sure you know what’s waiting for you under the water before you go out snorkeling. It’s not too hard to find great spots these days thanks to the power of Google.
Visibility – Let’s assume you’ve found the perfect place with an abundance of underwater treasures. If the water is murky you won’t be able to see anything, even with the best full face snorkel mask. You might not be able to see your hands in front of your face.
Unless you go when it’s bright outside it’s going to be hard to see under the water. Do you plan on swimming around with an underwater flashlight? Ensure visibility is as close to crystal clear as possible.
Conditions – Check the weather forecast before you go snorkeling. If the conditions aren’t good you won’t have an enjoyable time for many different reasons. Have you tried snorkeling in waves perfect for the best bodyboards?
Do you realize how annoying it gets when it’s so windy your snorkel mask feels like it’s going to be ripped off your face? It’s never really nice snorkeling when it’s rainy and depressing.
Check the weather forecast thoroughly before you hit the ocean and you should be okay. You’ll even know how many hours you’ve got before everything takes a turn for the worst.
7 – Remember to behave yourself
Everyone on earth should know the legendary Steve Irwin. It was absolutely tragic when he passed but his cause of death was weird. He died because a stingray pierced his heart. And Steve was a professional.
It goes to show you don’t want to go too near sea creatures you come across. Most are usually absolutely harmless until threatened. Some coral is toxic so you should keep away from that too.
In fact, you shouldn’t be touching it even when you know it’s not toxic. And don’t disturb the natural ecosystem by feeding fish and turtles unless they’re in an aquarium inside your home.
8 – Protect yourself from sunburn
Nobody wants to teach you to suck eggs. You’ll already know sunscreen is hugely important when you’re snorkeling. Did you know there is actually snorkeling sunscreen made from natural biodegradable materials designed to protect coral reefs?
You will be able to protect yourself and the environment at the same time. Anyone planning to snorkel in tropical waters should step it up a notch.
Wear a rash guard to protect your body. You’re not going to look any less cool under the water. Snorkel bandanas are superb for balding men too.
Remember All These Advanced Snorkeling Tips
It won’t take you long to become an experienced snorkeling expert. When that time arrives you’ll have a killer instinct when it comes to having tons of fun while staying safe.
Just remember you won’t become an expert overnight. Keep these tips in mind until you’re fully confident about tackling anything at sea without worrying about the consequences.