Snorkeling Essentials

Snorkeling can be a truly fascinating way to get outside and enjoy nature in addition to being a really wonderful way to motivate you to get some really healthy exercise.

Let’s look at some of the basic gear you will want to pick up to get started exploring the vast and beautiful world located right below the surface of the water.

Snorkel

Snorkeling without a snorkel just isn’t snorkeling at all, now is it? So what kind of snorkel do you want to get? You may be surprised to hear that there are actually many different kinds of snorkels available on the market today. While some are still using the basic and simple tube with no extra valves involved, there are many more options available and it is highly recommended to go with a more advanced model. A “Dry Snorkel” is the best option as it is designed to protect its wearer from inhaling water should the snorkeler accidentally submerge the top end of the snorkel below the water. As you can imagine, it is rather easy for a beginning snorkeler to accidentally look a little too deep in the water and inhale some water as their basic snorkel dips below the surface. Thankfully a Dry Snorkel has a safety valve which blocks water while allowing the free flow of air. Good snorkels are really affordable these days and a Dry Snorkel is worth the tiny bit extra to better ensure you will have a nice and enjoyable snorkeling experience.

Mask

The diving mask is essentially your window to the underwater world. The more area you can see through it, the more you can see in the aquatic adventure you are planning. Its fit is of primary importance as it has to be air-tight to make sure that you don’t have to come up and clear the water from your mask every few minutes. You should buy your mask at a dive shop if at all possible as then you can get advice from professionals and also try on the masks to see which one is a good fit for your physical attributes and your budget.

Fins

Fins are another area where there is a lot of diversity to choose from and choosing the right fins is really more about the fit. You will likely want to start by choosing a pair of neoprene socks or boots. They best insulate your precious skin to protect from the fins. Make sure you have socks or boots that fit well to make sure your fins will fit as properly as possible. I hope you remember to bring them when you shop for your fins as this is important. You can choose from an array of sizes and flexibility variations when choosing a pair of fins. The harder ones will give you more speed, but may require more effort. The same goes for the length. The longer fins are more cumbersome, and require more effort, but you can really fly through the water with them quickly!

Now you know what gear is best for a nice snorkeling experience. All you need to do is get in the water and enjoy!