Beginner's Guide to Snorkeling

So you have decided to forgo those scuba lessons and try snorkeling first. Good choice. Snorkeling is an excellent way to better acquaint yourself with the ocean before diving in, so to speak. Your snorkeling experience will be different depending on where you go, and with so many different places to visit, it is an activity you will never grow tired of. Here is a beginner's guide to snorkeling.

Don't go cheap on your snorkeling gear. Inexpensive masks and flippers can prove uncomfortable, and while it is understandable that you don't want to spend a lot of money not knowing whether you will enjoy snorkeling, cheap gear can ruin the experience and cause you to give up snorkeling once and for all. So you are better off renting gear at first. Nearby all prime spots to snorkel you are bound to find a rental shop. Whether you are renting or buying your gear, don't be afraid to ask questions of your clerk.

Of course, the clerk will tell you what you need, chiefly the fins and mask. But what he may forget is just as important. Sunscreen. Remember that when snorkeling, a significant part of your body - your entire backside - remains exposed to the sun. And the water itself attracts sunlight, which means you will burn badly if you are not protected. Be sure to wear sunscreen, and of course, make certain it is waterproof.

Plan on snorkeling in calm, crystal clear waters that offer plenty of beautiful underwater sea life. Most islands in the Caribbean and Hawaii offer outstanding snorkeling spots. Many spots feature brilliant tropical fish, dazzling live coral, even ship wrecks. My favorite places to snorkel are areas where I can swim to offshore islands, such as Goat Island and Chinaman's Hat off the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.

Bring a disposable underwater camera. You will find so many things underwater that you will want to capture with a camera, and this is another item that is often forgotten when planning a snorkeling trip.