When summer hits with its hot breeze and the shining sun, we all want to find shade and do something to cool our bodies down. Most of our favorite activities also revolve around water and beaches.
Summer days are the best days of the year, where you crave to dive into the deep sea. We spend months preparing and planning for summertime with our friends, and when the day finally comes, we get on our best swimsuit and go to the beach. In Hawaii, however, it doesn’t matter the season. Every day is beach day in Hawaii.
Many visitors to Hawaii want to experience the magic of underwater life, but lack the swimming skills to give them the confidence to snorkel.
However, not everyone is great at snorkeling at first. Many struggle with the equipment. The mask can fog up or leak water or they find it difficult to breathe through the snorkel tube. For those new to snorkeling, it is normal to struggle in the beginning.
In this blog, we will give you a beginner’s guide to snorkeling so that you can enjoy the mesmerizing view underwater instead of struggling for your life.
What is Snorkeling?
It is an act of swimming on or through a body of water while being equipped with a diving mask and a breathing tube called a snorkel and swim fins. The equipment allows you to breathe from your mouth while being underwater. However, you do not go deep into the water, unlike scuba diving, as you do not want your snorkel to get filled with water.
Do’s for Snorkeling for Beginners
Do: Check Your Equipment
Get yourself snorkeling equipment that fits you perfectly, as it can cause you to panic underwater if water starts seeping in through the corners. It’s best to buy your equipment than to rent it out if you plan to go snorkeling regularly.
Do: Breathe
Once you have the equipment, do a test dive. Start by breathing in and out of the snorkel, perhaps in a pool or shallow areas of the seawater. Get used to that feeling, so you don’t feel nervous on your trip. Make sure your snorkel is out of the water so that you can breathe in the fresh air.
Do: Float and Not Flail
Snorkeling is more about floating than swimming. Do not use too much of your hands as you would in a pool. Float and glide and direct yourself with your fins. Do not swim harshly, be calm and keep your pulse rate at normal. If you are out of breath, then you are doing something wrong, and if you are not a strong floater, you can use a life jacket that keeps you afloat.
Do: Choose The Right Location
Choose a location that does not have a strong current; instead, the water should be calm. Waves are not your best friend, especially if you are a newbie, as it makes you work harder and more difficult to see underwater.
Do: Full-foot Fins
If you are a beginner, we recommend that you get full-foot fins. Once you have the fins on, slide into the water and go to where water is just waist-deep. Go for a trial first before heading into deeper waters with friends.
The Don’ts of Snorkeling
Don’t: Disturb the Coral
Coral are living organisms; do not touch them or stand on them. Make sure you do not stand on a rock because it may be a living organism. Admire the coral from afar and take pictures.
Biodegradable sunscreen: oxybenzone and octinoxate are two ingredients commonly found in sunscreen and are harmful to coral reefs. Make sure you get a biodegradable one that is eco-friendly. In Hawaii, using sunscreens with oxybenzone or ocitinoxate is illegal.
Don’t: Disturb the Marine Life
It’s a good idea to mind your own business when snorkeling. Remember, you are a guest in someone else’s habitat. Some species are poisonous, and some may react defensively, injuring you badly. Hence always maintain a distance. Touching sea life such as turtles or monk seals is illegal.
One thing is for sure, snorkeling is one of the most popular activities for visitors in Hawaii. It is very relaxing and not very difficult. Give your body some healthy exercise and calm yourself in the cool waters of the ocean. There is a whole majestic world underwater that is very pleasing to the eyes. With Kauai Sea Tours, you can go on a guided snorkeling trip where we will help you step-by-step to make your experience worth your while. We will provide you with all the necessary equipment and training for a memorable snorkeling experience. For more information, contact us, and we will make sure all your queries are answered to your utmost satisfaction before you book a trip with us.