Joanna James
The allure of the world beneath turquoise waters certainly makes snorkelling an activity of enduring and unwavering appeal. Longing travellers looking forward to their underwater expedition can rejoice knowing that it is one of the easiest watersports out there, but knowing a few tips can never hurt.
Once you are mentally prepared (and excited) for your first snorkelling experience, the next thing you have to be prepared with is the right gear — absolute must-haves you certainly can’t afford to not have. Whether you choose to rent the equipment out for the day or go all in and invest in your own equipment, it is pivotal that you are geared up right to experience the wide-open seas. While a mask/goggles, a wet suit, swim fins, a snorkel and a snorkel keeper (the device which fastens the mask to the snorkel) make the snorkelling essentials, having booties, a purge valve, and a floatation device can certainly make for a more enhanced and safer experience.
As the one indubitably primary piece of snorkelling equipment, it is crucial that you make sure your mask is the way it is supposed to be. Start by ensuring your mask fits your face perfectly before hitting the water, where the mask strap should fit snugly around the widest area of your head. Having a defogged and cleared mask is also as important as having a mask that fits, as visibility is key in snorkelling.
Picking the right snorkelling destination and studying its wave action, weather conditions, and other related factors are crucial for your first snorkelling experience as much as other impactful details that may take precedence. For instance, snorkelling is one of the most popular Maldives water sports, with hotels and resorts such as Atmosphere Kanifushi offering guided snorkelling excursions. Hence, the waters surrounding the Indian Ocean island nation are bound to have favourable conditions even for first-timers.
Novice snorkelers are often faced with two choices of fins to take their pick from — full-foot fins and adjustable fins. As any well-versed snorkeler would certainly agree, the former, the full-foot fins, are the recommended choice for newbies having their first try at the sport. The underwater mobility afforded by fins certainly adds to the ease of beginners and full-foot fins even more.
While not as tricky as many other water sports out there, paying attention to safety when snorkelling is still key and should always take precedence over all others. The use of certain safety equipment, such as inflatable vests, which make for easy floatation, is recommended, especially for first-timers and beginners. It is advisable to stay on top of weather forecasts and check for wave action every time before you head into water, even in well known locations.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
