Unfortunately, poor first time experiences are pretty common.
But the truth is that while snorkeling is a very enjoyable and easy sport, without some basic skills, good equipment, and knowledge about the dangers and conditions of the ocean, a first time snorkeling experience can be a bit miserable, scary and potentially dangerous.
Here are some common things many first time snorkelers experience that are no fun:
• Fear
• Leaking face mask
• Water flooding your snorkel tube
• Exhaustion
• Boredom
• Injury
Fortunately, most of these bad experiences are avoidable, and come from common mistakes. Let's make sure it does not happen to you. Armed with a bit of knowledge you can expect your first time to be very fun and enjoyable.
Tip #1. Practice in a pool or calm shallow beach. Pick a spot like a swimming pool or calm shallow sandy beach to get a feel for breathing through your snorkel. It takes a while to train your body into becoming comfortable breathing through a snorkel with your face in the water. The main trick is relaxing.
Tip #2. Make sure your equipment is comfortable. Rent equipment before you go to the beach, and give yourself time to adjust it and get used to it. Practice putting on your mask. Adjust the strap so it is lightly snug, but not tight. With a light inhale, your mask should suction to your face. That is what mostly holds it to your face. Now the snorkel. How does it feel in your mouth? Is it pulling awkwardly? Normally you can adjust the angle and height of your snorkel. You can adjust where it attaches to your face mask strap. And on some models you can rotate the soft silicone bottom for a better angle to your mouth. Practice putting on your fins.
Tip #3. A quick way to test comfort and mask seal is to press the mask against your face and forcefully inhale through your nose. The mask seal should be secure enough that it no longer requires you to hold it against your face.
Tip #4. Fins are not always necessary. If eventually you plan on snorkeling in open water, then purchase fins as they dramatically increase speed and agility. But if you plan on your first snorkel adventure being like mine, safe and shallow, then a mask and snorkel and a good attitude are all you need to have a great time.
Tip #5. If you decide not to buy, or forget your fins, wear protective footwear. Water socks, reef shoes (called Tabi’s in Hawai’i), Vibrams five-fingers, or even a light pair of sneakers will be enough to protect your feet from sharp reef. Reef cuts on your feet can take months to heal, and if you are unfortunate to step on a spiny urchin, healing time can take even longer.
Tip #6. Don't touch marine life. This is for your own good and the good of the sea life. Below the oceans surface is an entirely unexpected world. In healthy reef systems, even the rocks are alive and the perfect ecology and balance of the reef is mind blowing. You’ll love knowing what you’re looking at, and have found the simple knowledge of names of fish, coral, and their collective purposes dramatically improve your snorkeling experience.
Tip #7. Read Ocean Conditions. Understand ocean currents, waves and surge. The ocean is alive, and the water flows, often taking you with it. Understanding the basics of how the ocean moves and your place in the movement is essential for safety.
Tip #8. Choose An Interesting Spot. Choose a beach spot that is alive, meaning it has lots of fish and corals to see. If you pick a dead or boring spot for your first time, you likely will not understand why people like doing this. And the most popular spots that everyone goes to, are most likely not the best spots (because all the traffic has killed the reef). Still, don't go out alone (always have a partner no matter what). When you are new, it is comforting to see other snorkelers on the water before you get in so you can get a sense of what the conditions might be like.
Tip #9. Come At It With Appreciation. Having a good snorkeling experience is partly about expectation. Why are you going snorkeling? Why do we snorkel? We do it for many reasons, but the primary reason is joy. Snorkeling is about the joy of watching and appreciating the beauty of the underwater world. If you have no interest in the natural world, snorkeling is probably not for you. Snorkeling is less a physical sport, and more a meditation. Learning how to relax, allowing yourself to be completely supported and held by the salt water, being in the moment, experiencing all the movement and life around you, that is what snorkeling is about. For us, snorkeling is therapeutic. And with experience being in the water feels like home. Most of all though, it is fun.
Tip #10. Relax. The trick with snorkeling is to stay relaxed and calm. You’ll find it amazing how your body will naturally find it’s own natural buoyancy without you having to do a single thing. Floating face down in water with a snorkel in your mouth is a somewhat awkward position and will take you a few minutes to acclimatize, but you will.
Source: Snorkeling Tips For Beginners
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