Confession: I am a bit of a panicked swimmer. I tend to flail about, fight the water, and basically, go nowhere. It is not a pretty sight, and on more than one occasion, I’ve needed someone to pull me along with them. It’s no surprise then that I was a bit nervous for my first snorkeling trip, but I refused to let my fears get the best of me when I snorkeled the Hol Chan Marine Reserve off the coast of Belize. I’m glad I didn’t because snorkeling easily became one of the highlights of my trip. It’s a whole new world beneath the water, filled with beautiful corals, colorful and exotic fish, and maybe even a shark or two (the non-dangerous kind of course!). If I can conquer my fears, so can you! Here are some snorkeling tips for beginners I’ve picked up from my tour guides and through my own adventures:

1. Relax!

This is a relatively easy concept, but may be one of the most difficult snorkeling tips to follow your first time. Basically, do everything opposite from what I normally do. Take slow, deep breaths! If it’s your first time, there’s no harm in taking taking a few practice runs with your gear and equipment before you go, or you can take a life preserve (like I did below). Do whatever makes you feel comfortable – it’s supposed to be a fun experience!

2. Use Proper Equipment

Proper equipment is essential to an enjoyable snorkeling experience. The last thing you want is water in your mask or losing a fin at the bottom of the ocean. Before you venture out, make sure your equipment fits properly. Your mask needs to fit snugly around your face to prevent water from seeping into it. When putting it on, breath in through your nose to create a seal and make sure to keep your hair out of the seals to prevent water from leaking in. You can use Vaseline to help pull your hair back from the seals if need be. A dry snorkel is great for beginners because it has a guard at the top that prevents water from entering the snorkel when you dive underneath the surface or if you are hit by a rouge wave. Your fins should be flexible, but not too loose or too tight. You might also want to wear a t-shirt or rash guard to prevent from becoming sun burnt (something I should’ve done my first time!). If you use sun block, make sure it’s safe for the environment you’re snorkeling in.

3. Prevent Mask Fogging

Masks can easily become fogged, causing it to be difficult to see. My tour guides had us wash our mask with dishwashing detergent beforehand, so I never had any problem with fogging during my first outing. I have read that baby shampoo works great too!

4. Don’t Tire Yourself Out

If you’re swimming like an Olympian out there, you’re going to tire yourself out, which can lead to safety issues and a less enjoyable experience. Take your time and swim at your own pace. Honestly, I enjoyed snorkeling the most when I floated on top of the water and just peered below. When you do swim, keep your head in the water, fins beneath the water, and kick your legs like a scissor to make sure you’re propelling yourself forward. Your power should come from your legs – not your arms!

5. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

This is especially important in shallow water…you don’t want to accidentally touch or kick the wildlife. Also, don’t snorkel in murky waters or dangerous weather conditions. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut instincts. Safety is key!

Bonus Snorkeling Tip For Swimmers With Glasses:

If you have a real passion for snorkeling, you may want to invest in medicated goggles. Salt water helps improve your eyesight, but with my vision around 20/40, I still had difficulties making out details from far away.

Underwater Photography:

Eels, sharks, sting rays, coral, lobsters…these are just a few of things I got to photograph during my first snorkeling trip. Trust me, you’re going to want to preserve these moments. Underwater photography is a real art, and with all of the camera options out there, choosing a camera can be a bit overwhelming and costly. If you’re looking for a budget friendly option, I recommended the Panasonic DMC-TS30A LUMIX*. It’s a great point and click option for underwater photography. All of the underwater photography featured on this blog was taken using my Panasonic. Some of the photos are overly blue-green at times, but with a few Photoshop skills, that can be easily corrected.