How to Snorkel

Snorkelling is the practice of swimming at the surface of a body of water while equipped with a mask and a short tube called a snorkel.

Snorkelling requires no special training, only the ability to swim and breathe through the snorkel. The crew on your snorkel trips will be delighted to assist you with a quick, easy lesson on how to snorkel and basic safety and how best to protect our fragile you and the reef where you are snorkelling – even if you can’t swim, the boat crew can help you to learn how to snorkel. At the same time, they tow you around on the top of the water.

From large boats, step off the side with a giant step or sit on the edge of the platform, roll face-first into the water.

To remove excess water at the surface, use the “blast” method by exhaling forcefully into the mouthpiece.

Place your arms at your sides or out in front of you and remain as streamlined as possible. Propel yourself with a smooth kick motion and avoid continuing the upstrokes of your kick cycle to the point that your fins break the surface.

How to equalize

Squeeze your nose, seal off your nostrils, and gently blow without allowing any air to escape through your nose or mouth. You should hear a slight popping sound.

Along the way, equalize every few feet as you descend. However, do not force equalization. Do not descend any deeper than you can clear your ears. Always snorkel with a buddy.

If you become tired, your buddy can assist you back to the boat. There is a lookout on all of our boats to ensure that our guests are safe in the water. Before getting to the reef, the crew will do a snorkel brief and demonstrate hand signals to use should you get in any trouble.

Snorkel trips will have a rescue vessel ready if the need arises and anybody requires assistance.

 

How to snorkel safely

  • Do not hold your breath for long dives underwater. Extended breath holding can cause blackouts that can lead to drowning.
  • Do not dive deeper than the maximum depth in which you can equalize the pressure in your ears.
  • Never dive headfirst into the water, as the lens is not designed to withstand this kind of impact.
  • Snorkelling with your head at a 45-degree angle helps eliminate water entering the top of your snorkel by keeping your snorkel safely above the water.
  • Always exit the water when you are cold or tired.
  • Do not dive below the water surface if you have a head cold. Congestion makes equalizing your ears very difficult.
  • Do not use snorkelling equipment as a tool to learn how to swim. Snorkelling is excellent for all who maintain a basic level of swimming.
  • Crew members are well trained and happy to give snorkel guides to people who are not confident in the water.

Next, see how to use a mask.