Snorkeling: An Experience of a Lifetime
It’s 75 degrees outside. You are on a boat in the middle of the ocean. And you are out of breath and dripping water. Why? Because you saw a “big” fish and swam back to the boat as fast as you could. This is what the first experience of snorkeling is like: exhilarating with a side of scary.
Snorkeling Defined
The definition of the word snorkeling, on its own, is “the activity or pastime of swimming using a snorkel” (Google Dictionary). But to the people who have actually snorkeled, aka me, it means so much more.
Snorkeling is like being one with the fish. Being able to get up close and personal with all sorts of aquatic creatures is an unforgettable experience. Sometimes, you even feel like you are a fish. I know I do.
The second I enter the water, I find myself in a meditative state. My breathing begins to slow. I hear the waves rolling. My body begins to relax. And I start to feel a soothing sensation. It almost feels as if I am having an out of body experience.
Many people experience this meditative state when snorkeling. Having snorkeled a few times, I have some helpful information on what can make this experience one to remember.
Supplies for Snorkeling
I’m not going to lie to you, snorkeling without the correct equipment would be a struggle. You wouldn’t even be able to see what’s in the water. Luckily, the equipment you need is not complicated.
To snorkel, the main item you need, besides yourself, of course, is snorkeling goggles. Snorkeling goggles are basically swimming goggles with a nose piece, along with a long tube that allows you to breathe when you’re underwater. Additionally, you have the option to wear a lifejacket on top of your swimsuit. A life jacket will make snorkeling less exhausting on your body.
If you want to make snorkeling even easier, swimming fins for your feet will allow you to glide across the water fast and keep you afloat. Personally, I was more comfortable without flippers, so they are not a necessity.
Places to Snorkel
Technically, you can snorkel in any body of water around the world. But if you want the best experience, there are a few places that should be on the top of your list.
Brushing the Surface
For families, areas with a shallow depth will provide a memorable experience. With a shallow depth, the coral reef is closer to the surface making it easier to see the variety of fish. Also, the majority of aquatic life will be smaller fish. With there being mainly smaller fish, families with young children tend to feel safer while still getting the experience of a lifetime.
The Caribbean
The Cayman Islands, located in the Caribbean, is the best place to go for family snorkeling. When I went snorkeling in the Caribbean, I felt like I was looking through glass. The crystal clear water made it easy to see all the small colorful fish.
Deep-Sea Diving
If you want to be a little risky with your snorkeling experience, I suggest locations with a deeper depth. Snorkeling in deeper waters increases your variety of larger, and sometimes more dangerous, aquatic animals. You will still see the smaller fish, but you will also see other animals like turtles, sharks, eels, etc.
The Palm Beaches
The Palm Beaches in Florida swarm with large aquatic animals. Animals like turtles, sailfish, and even some sharks swim right beneath you. Seeing these animals up close gives you that memorable experience, but adds a risk factor. It’ll get your heart pumping with excitement and fear.
When to Snorkel
In my experience, you can snorkel at almost any time of the year in places with warmer climates. Now, if the location has a colder climate in certain parts of the year, I would not suggest snorkeling in the cold. Especially in winter!
Season to Snorkel
Snorkeling in the spring or summer months makes it much more enjoyable. In these months, the sun is on fire, making the air warmer. When I went snorkeling, I went in the spring. The water was warm and the air was warm, so I wasn’t shivering while in or out of the water.
Time to Snorkel
Obviously, I would not recommend going snorkeling in the dark. In the dark, it is scary because you can’t see what is lurking beneath you. But, anytime in the daylight would work just fine. When the sun is shining bright, you can see what is under the water clear as day.
Who Should Snorkel
In all honesty, if you know how to swim, you can snorkel. An aspect that is nice about snorkeling is that you can use a life jacket and still get an amazing experience. Yes, if you are a regular swimmer that can dive deep underwater, your experience will be extremely up close and personal. But, even if you are just an adequate swimmer, using a life jacket will still give you some of the best memories.
The only people who shouldn’t snorkel are people who are afraid of the water, afraid of fish, or people who are not in the right health conditions to be in the water for long periods of time.
Why Go Snorkeling
Honestly, I can’t think of a reason not to snorkel.
First of all, most snorkeling experiences are decently inexpensive. You can easily buy a snorkel and some flippers at your nearest store.
Besides the money, snorkeling is an experience of a lifetime. It’s peaceful. It’s relaxing. It’s beautiful. Snorkeling teaches you about the beauty of different creatures in the world. It shows you first hand how these animals live and grows your appreciation for them.
Also, snorkeling creates the best memories. I haven’t been snorkeling in a few years, but I remember those moments like they were yesterday. Being able to explore the depths of the ocean with friends and family is something that will stay with you forever.
So, go snorkeling at least once in your lifetime. Get your friends and family together and make it happen. You’ll never know what it will bring you. Maybe it’ll be a one-time event. But maybe you’ll fall in love with snorkeling and it’ll become a new hobby. You won’t know until you try. Either way, you’ll never forget your first time being one with the fish. I sure didn’t.
