Joanna James
The deep blue hides many secrets from us and is as mysterious as ever, which is what makes discovering her secrets all more exciting! But as exciting as it can be, it can also be dangerous, so it is best that one pays very careful attention to the following tips when snorkelling.
Whether you pick a full face mask or a traditional mask, practice makes perfect. Take your time to get everything right, to check if it is the right gear and the right technique for you. Give a few practice-runs to get comfortable with it in a controlled environment like a swimming pool first before you dive into the ocean.
The ocean is a big place and it would be so easy to get caught up in the wonders of it while you're there that you may lose track of where you are. This is, of course, one of the most dangerous things that can happen. Enjoy the magic that will undoubtedly surround you, but don't stray too far from the boat or your group.
Not having the right kind of equipment when you dive can make the whole experience disastrous and you won't be able to enjoy that magic you're looking for. From a technical standpoint, a traditional snorkel mask, which has two parts: the mask for the eyes and nose and the mouthpiece for breathing, is more suitable for experienced divers. The Full face snorkel mask is the better choice for amateur divers because it allows you to breathe through both the mouth and the nose. Apart from this, don't also forget to make sure you get your sizes right.
Some people make the mistake of thinking that UV rays can't reach you under water! On the contrary, it is the sun that makes snorkelling all that more bright – literally. So, don't forget your sunblock, preferably, SPF 50, especially if you're going to be under for a while. If sunblock is not preferred, then you can always go for a rash vest or a full skin suit instead!
The tides can turn at any time and diving if the weather forecast is bad is always a risk. So don't forget to check the weather forecast for the day and of the region before you dive. As an added precaution, find out when the tide generally turns in the area from the local community.
Water is not a medium that is natural for human existence so exhaustion, panic attacks and other sudden dangers can crop up at any time. So never snorkel alone. Always have a friend or an experienced diver with you for safety. As the saying goes, safety in numbers is a good piece of advice to follow here.
Be smart about where you choose to go snorkelling – the marine life and coral reefs that make snorkelling what it is cannot be found everywhere in the world. Picking warmer, calmer waters, over turbulent colder ones makes or breaks the experience as well. It also means that your sight underwater is going to be as clear as it can get because you need to be able to spot sea predators as well.
Picking the best location shouldn't be too hard really, For example, if you were staying at a Maldives luxury hotel the likes of Naladhu Private Island Maldives there are ideal conditions to snorkel around you, in the vicinity.
You might not think that you're going to need the fins or the vest as a diver, but the fins and the vest are there to make your diving experience as easy as possible. The Swimmer Ear is never an option for any diver – it is compulsory. They're all meant for protection and ease of the diver but truthfully, the fins look pretty cool when photographed as well!
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