Snorkeling is a great opportunity to try something new and exciting while on vacation. If you can’t swim, you might be thinking if snorkeling is a good option for you.
Snorkeling, in general, involves relatively little actual swimming. While you do not need to know how to swim, you must be comfortable enough in the water to enjoy yourself without being stressed.
Snorkeling for Non-Swimmers: How to Do it Safely
✔️Location is Vital
If you don’t know how to swim, choosing a snorkeling spot is critical. Shore snorkeling, also known as beach snorkeling, is done in shallow seas and is better suitable for individuals who cannot swim and are not comfortable simply floating in the water. Beach snorkeling allows you to choose how deep you want to go, and most of the time, you can simply drop your head in the water to observe beautiful marine life.
✔️Be Open to Guidance
It’s a good idea for a non-swimmer to schedule a snorkeling excursion with a competent teacher. Instructors generally have a flotation device with them at all times, but you can also request a life jacket to wear and keep with you. It’s also a good idea to inform the instructor that you don’t know how to swim so that they can keep a lookout on you and ensure your safety.
✔️Have a Swimming Buddy
Using the buddy system when snorkeling is beneficial for a variety of reasons, regardless of your level of comfort in the water. Most significantly, the buddy system will assist you in avoiding potentially hazardous situations. If something goes wrong, you have someone nearby who can assist you or call for assistance. When issues develop with snorkeling equipment, having a friend on hand provides an extra pair of hands.
✔️Stay in the Shallows
If you’re thinking of snorkeling in shallow seas but are afraid you’ll miss out, don’t be. There is plenty to view, even in shallow waters, such as unusual fish, boulders, and vibrant coral.
Swimming Has Amazing Health Benefits You Didn’t Know About
Swimming has been described as the ideal form of exercise. And you can receive all of the advantages of an aerobic workout without causing any harm to your joints, and you may do it at any age.
Swimming has many more benefits than the apparent ones that are visible on the surface; its benefits to general health are far deeper.
👍It Improves Muscle Strength
Swimmers build muscle power all over their bodies. Swimmers use more muscular groups to go through the water, whereas runners generate muscle in their legs. For example, the arms pull while the legs kick.
Swimming is one of the effective aerobic workouts for a complete body workout. When the back reaches and turns, the stomach tightens to power the legs and support the core, making it one of the finest aerobic exercises for a total body workout.
👍It Helps you stay Flexible
Swimming involves reaching, stretching, twisting, and pulling your way through the water. As you push off against the water pressure, your ankles expand and become fins. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t stretch but the repetitive stretching seen in your various strokes also aids with flexibility.
👍It Helps you Burn Calories
Swimming is a wonderful method to burn calories, but many people don’t realize it may be equally as effective as running on a treadmill. Depending on the stroke you choose and your intensity, swimming can burn the same or more calories than jogging. For example, running a mile in 10 minutes burns around 100 calories.
👍It Lowers your Stress
While many individuals talk about a runner’s high, swimming may also produce all of those feel-good hormones. In addition to the happy hormones, you may have a relaxing reaction comparable to that of yoga.
Swimming is also relaxing and contemplative because the sound of your breathing and the water rushing past helps you focus inside and cancel out all other distractions. This naturally reduces stress and despair.
👍It can make you Smarter
Individuals who swam on a regular basis mastered language development, fine motor skills, confidence, and physical development faster than the control group. Swimming may also aid with math abilities since swimmers routinely calculate the meters swum in sets or interval exercises to practice their addition and subtraction skills.
👍It Reduces Inflammation
While the cardiovascular advantages of swimming, such as heart muscle strengthening, are very well known, research shows that aerobic exercises, such as swimming may decrease inflammation, contributing to atherosclerotic buildup in the heart. In addition, reducing systemic inflammation slows disease development in many other areas, so expect to learn about further advantages as research continues.
👍It Provides Beauty Benefits
When you swim in saltwater on a daily basis helps the skin retain moisture and cleanse, promoting new cell development. After a refreshing ocean swim, you’ll be amazed at how smooth and healthy your skin feels.
👍It can Prolong your Life
While all forms of exercise can improve health and longevity, research shows that swimming is one of the greatest options.
👍It Improves your Sleep
When you swim you may be able to improve your sleep quality. In addition, it is accessible to a wide range of persons who have physical limitations that make other activities, such as jogging, unappealing. As a result, swimming may be an excellent option for older individuals wanting to enhance their sleep.
How to Select Snorkeling Equipment
Choosing snorkeling equipment entails carefully inspecting each item and purchasing ones that match your physique. It can be pretty hard to know just where to begin, so here is some advice to help you.
❕ First Step
Make a list of the snorkeling equipment you’ll require. The three most crucial pieces of equipment are a mask, snorkel, and fins. However, you may require a wetsuit if you intend on snorkeling in locations where the water temperature is very low, or if you plan on snorkeling during the winter and autumn months when the water is chilly.
❕ Second Step
Purchase a silicone-sealed mask. The mask is essentially only one piece, but it features a nose cover and goggles to shield the eyes that are molded together. The silicone closure secures the item to your face and prevents it from sliding. The mask should fit perfectly yet comfortably on your face, with no air getting inside. Try on multiple pairs to ensure that you find the optimum fit.
❕ Third Step
Look for a snorkel, which is an essential component of snorkeling equipment. The snorkel consists of a mouthpiece and a longer, curved component that extends out of the water and allows you to breathe. The finest snorkels have a lip guard to prevent saltwater from entering the mouthpiece. If you intend to snorkel in deeper water, use a longer snorkel.
❕ Fourth Step
Find fins that are the right size for your feet. The fin is available in a variety of sizes and colors, but the finest are those that wrap your feet securely while remaining comfortable to walk in. Put on the fins and take a brief walk around the store to test them out. The fins should be snug enough so that they don’t come off when swimming, but loose enough so that they don’t cut into your flesh.
❕ Fifth Step
If you plan to snorkel in chilly water, wear a wetsuit. Wetsuits protect your skin not only from the water’s warmth but also from the sun’s rays. Some of the most robust wetsuits also protect the coral reef, which may rip or otherwise harm your skin if you brush up against it. Check that the suit fits your body comfortably and that there are no gaps.
Snorkel Types and When to Use Them
The snorkel has been around for a long time, and they’ve gone a long way since their early days. Nonetheless, their function remains the same: to let people enjoy the underwater environment while still being able to breathe properly.
However, not all snorkels are made equal, and because they have been around for a long time, they have developed and been improved.
➖The Classic Snorkel
This type of snorkel is also known as a J-style snorkel. It’s just a plain plastic tube with a mouthpiece attached. It is the cheapest snorkeling option available, and it can be used for both snorkeling and scuba diving.
The stiffness of the tubing, which can be difficult to use, is a disadvantage of this kind. Aside from that, if it’s totally buried in water, you may need to exhale strongly to clear the water from its top. The traditional snorkel, on the other hand, is suitable for novices because of its simple structure.
➖The Semi-Dry Snorkel
This snorkel is a hybrid of a traditional and a dry snorkel. Its top features a splash guard, as well as a purge valve and flexible tubing. The splash barrier prevents water splashes or sprays from entering the tube too rapidly. However, it does not completely prevent water from entering.
It implies that water may still enter the tube even if you totally submerge yourself below or are caught in a large wave that covers the top of the snorkel. Splash guards, which use a moving mechanical mechanism, are available on some semi-dry snorkels. These types, however, are not always optimal since their parts might become stuck when sand gets inside.
➖The Full-Face Snorkel
This is the simplest form of the snorkel to operate, and it is great for novices because there is no learning curve. It combines a full-face mask and a dry snorkel. It has a tube that extends upwards from the top of the mask. Instead of inhaling via a mouthpiece, as with other types of snorkels, a full-face snorkel mask allows you to relax your jaw and breathe normally.
A full-face snorkel mask is solely intended for use when snorkeling. It’s not designed for diving since the enormous amount of air trapped within the mask can inflict severe pressure on your face, and there’s nothing you can do about it underwater.
➖The Flexible Snorkel with Purge Valve
This snorkel has a flexible part and a stiff section. It also includes a one-way valve at the bottom, making it simpler to evacuate any water that may have gotten into the snorkel. This style of snorkel may also be used for scuba diving as well as snorkeling. In addition, because it is more flexible, it can fit better around masks and faces.
When not in use, flexible snorkels often slide away from the face to provide unobstructed views. It also features a purge valve at the mouthpiece’s bottom, which helps maintain continuous breathing by flushing extra water every time you exhale.
➖The Dry Snorkel
This kind has a top-mounted valve that prevents water and air from entering even when submerged. It also includes a purge valve on the bottom. For traditional snorkeling, a dry snorkel is utilized. It will allow you to swim on the surface and dive a little deeper on occasion without having to continually empty water out of the tube.
Scuba diving can also be done with a dry snorkel. It’s convenient since divers don’t have to clean them of water when they reach the surface. This allows them to conserve energy and swim more comfortably in the water.
Snorkeling Helpful Advice
Snorkeling is an outdoor activity that involves being in contact with the sea environment. Therefore, like all water activities, snorkeling might provide dangers connected to the natural environment, such as currents, harmful animals, or other maritime operations.
⚠️ Pick High-Quality Equipment
Good quality of equipment helps limit some water issues, such as a leaky mask or snorkel, or a broken fin. Swimfins are suggested for use in the water because they help you to move more easily, reduce physical effort, and make it simpler to get out of moderate currents.
⚠️ Know the Local Rules
Swimming is occasionally forbidden in unsupervised regions, or owing to weather, sea conditions, the presence of jellyfish or sharks, or any other possible hazard. Always obey the signage on the beach, whether monitored or not. When authorized by law or municipal rules, it is frequently essential to have a diving flag with you if you leave defined swimming zones. To prevent any danger of collision, avoid going to boating or water sports areas.
⚠️ Always Know your Limit
Snorkeling on the surface involves minimal physical exertion, but it can be tiring when currents or waves occur. Always be aware of and respect your own limitations since certain areas are only suitable for experienced swimmers or snorkelers.
When snorkeling great distances, keep in mind that you will require significantly more energy on your return. Therefore, except on extremely specialized excursions guided by specialists, do not let yourself get swept away by the current, even light.
⚠️ Be Updated with the Weather Condition
Tides, wind, atmospheric pressure and air temperature may all drastically alter sea conditions. A totally tranquil water may become turbulent in a matter of minutes. The risks are not always obvious: a calm, flat sea, for example, might conceal powerful currents.
The tides might push you away from the shore or cause the water level on a coral flat to drop dramatically. The wave might cause water to enter your snorkel or fling you against rocks. Before entering the water, always enquire about the local sea and weather conditions, and if in doubt, postpone your snorkeling trip.
⚠️ Avoid Dangerous Water Specie
When snorkeling, we may come across a broad range of potentially harmful marine creatures. The most frequent species that pose a concern include jellyfish, scorpionfish, fire coral, crown-of-thorns starfish, sea urchins, stingrays, sea snakes, and cones. Fortunately, these species are seldom hostile, and most encounters result from our own actions: prevent most mishaps by avoiding putting your foot on the seafloor or touching/picking up anything.
How to be Excellent in Snorkeling
There are no prerequisites; therefore anyone in excellent physical shape who can swim may snorkel. However, you must follow certain crucial snorkeling safety guidelines and laws because you will be in open water.
👍Be Confident when you get in the Water
Snorkeling is a simple activity that may be learned in a short period of time. Wear an additional snorkel vest for your protection if it makes you feel more at ease. Also, bring a swim buoy that is very visible when snorkeling in open water. It makes you stand out to your snorkel partner and other individuals in the water.
Boats passing by can readily notice you, and if you become tired, you may rest on this floating buoy. Snorkel vests and swimming buoys are essential snorkeling safety equipment that should always be included in your snorkeling kit.
👍Take a Rest after Eating Before going Snorkeling
When your stomach is full, do not go snorkeling. The waves and unintentionally swallowing saltwater may upset your stomach, causing discomfort and a feeling of nausea. Instead, consume light yet nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, salads with chicken, and wholemeal pasta to provide you energy for swimming.
👍Maintain a Healthy Body
If you are not feeling 100% fit, have a cold, or have sunstroke, wait until you are well again. If there is a strong current or if you swam too far away from your entry point, you will require a lot of energy to go back to your beach. Remember that a safe snorkeling session begins with your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is snorkeling safe for someone who can’t swim?
The quick answer is that non-swimmers can snorkel if they do it correctly. Just Make sure you take all the necessary precautions to avoid any accidents.
Do you use a life jacket when snorkeling?
Wearing a life jacket while snorkeling is completely acceptable. This will help in keeping you afloat and safe.
Can you breathe underwater while wearing a snorkel?
Breathing via a conventional snorkel mask entails keeping the snorkel tube in your mouth above the waterline.
Is it possible to snorkel and swim without fins?
Snorkeling without fins is technically possible.
How deep is the water in which you snorkel?
Unless you’re skin/duck diving, you’ll be snorkeling near the surface, so your front will only be around 12″ / 30cm deep.
Final Thoughts
So, do you have to know how to swim in order to snorkel? No, it does not. Snorkeling may be enjoyable even if you are not a good swimmer. However, it is strongly advised that you are at least comfortable in the water and can float or regulate your breathing in it. This makes your experience much more pleasant, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the water.