A thrilling and enjoyable approach to explore the undersea world is by snorkeling. There is a lot to discover because water covers 71 percent of the world. However, if snorkeling is new to you, you could feel anxious about entering the water. Do you even need to know how to swim in order to snorkel? The answer is that, although you should feel at ease in the water, snorkeling does not require you to be a proficient swimmer or strong swimmer.

Do you Need to Know How to Swim to Snorkel?

Technically, snorkeling does not require the ability to swim. This is due to the existence of equipment that enables non-swimmers to enter the water and participate in snorkeling. These include fins, wetsuits, and life jackets. This makes it possible for people who can’t swim to float on the water’s surface without having much swimming experience.

However, it is advised that you have some swimming ability because it will make snorkeling much more fun. Let’s examine the distinctions between swimming normally and snorkeling.

Body Alignment

To go forward while swimming, you must spread your body out and utilize your hands and legs. As you are constantly kicking with your legs while swinging your arms over your shoulder, this can become tiresome.

You will not be moving about as much while snorkeling. Slower movement and “swimming” will enable you to see the fish and coral below. You don’t even need to raise your arms. Some individuals choose to cross, hold their arms at their sides, or even hold them behind their backs.

Floating

To keep afloat while swimming, you simply utilize your arms and legs. As your arms, legs, and breathing rhythm must be constantly coordinated, this can be exhausting.

Most novice snorkelers, as well as some seasoned snorkelers, may use a personal flotation device (PFD). This can be a life jacket with the purpose of keeping the user floating on land. You will float as long as the PFD or jacket is inflated!

Equipment

Swimming requires no additional equipment. only your legs and arms.

You will need a snorkeling mask at the very least when snorkeling. This enables underwater vision. Additionally, it will contain a nose pocket to prevent water from entering your nose. Some non-swimmers may experience discomfort as a result of this.

Additionally, you’ll probably utilize a snorkel, which is a tube that extends from your mouth to the air’s surface. It follows that you do not need to raise your head to breathe.

Fins or flippers are additional snorkeling gear that you wear on your feet. When you kick, the fins assist in kicking the water up and down. You can move more easily and with less effort thanks to this.

As previously indicated, you can also put on a life jacket to keep you afloat.

Salt-Water

Most likely, a swimming pool is where you’ll be when you swim. In contrast, when snorkeling, you will probably be in the water viewing the coral and fish. Ocean water has a higher density than fresh or chlorinated water (read more

Tips for first-time snorkeling

Snorkeling offers you a James Bond experience for a very reasonable price, clear blue water, amazing fish you’ve never seen before, and very little cost. A mask, snorkel tube, pair of fins, and moderately warm water are all you need to dive into an underwater experience straight out of your dreams. Snorkeling, however, is not risk-free. Here are some crucial pointers for beginning snorkelers to ensure your enjoyment and safety underwater.

Request a flood guard.

While it may be tempting to rent or buy the least expensive equipment, you might wind up being happy if you invest a little more and obtain a dry snorkel. You breathe through the snorkel tube, keep in mind. It isn’t enjoyable at all if water pours down it while you are breathing in (whether from a wave or simply moving your head).

Dry snorkels have top valves that close on their own when submerged in water. You can blast water out of the tube using purge valves at the bottom of the snorkel.

Drink water before, during and after

While snorkeling, water may be present everywhere, yet the strong sun will still cause you to become dehydrated.

Furthermore, the salt in the water will dry up your skin. Therefore, sip on water before and after snorkeling, and do so frequently.

Keep the fog away

As you warm up, your mask may get foggy, exactly like a car’s windshield on a chilly day. Before entering, get anti-fog gel and apply it to the inside of the mask. To protect fish and reefs, be sure to select a non-toxic gel. In a pinch, you can simulate the effect using your own saliva if you forget. Spit into the mask and wipe the glass with it.

Learn to swim well or use a life jacket.

Although it is not required to be able to swim in order to snorkel, it is nevertheless vital to feel at least somewhat at ease in the water.

You don’t need to know all the different swimming strokes or be a quick swimmer, but you should be able to move around in the water and know how to dog paddle. Wear a life jacket or float vest around your waist if you wish to snorkel but aren’t comfortable in the water for your own protection.

Sun protection for your body

Many novice snorkelers underrate the strength of the sun’s rays. Yes, you can suffer severe burns while swimming. The back of your thighs is where snorkeler sunburn occurs most frequently, but it’s not the only place. If you venture outside in the scorching sun without protection, your back, shoulders, arms, and the back of your neck might all become burnt to a crisp. Wearing a wet suit or a T-shirt and shorts is one approach to handle this. However, if you’re hesitant to wear more than in your bathing suit, a high-quality, heavy-duty sunscreen should do the trick. Use a cap, bandana, or sunscreen to protect your scalp as well.

Use the proper equipment.

Masks and fins must be comfortable and properly sized for your body in order to function. Consider being a little pickier and renting high-quality gear that fits you well if you’re renting them while on vacation. Before venturing into the ocean, test the equipment in a pool.

Being at ease in the water

Even though swimming and snorkeling differ greatly, it is preferable to have some swimming experience before trying snorkeling. This is because you will feel more at ease in the water and will have a better time snorkeling.

You can regulate your movements when snorkeling if you can swim a little bit. You can swim against the stream, turn around in the water, or even duck dive to get a close look at a turtle!

The risks associated with snorkeling might be reduced if you can swim or are at ease in the water. Let’s examine the dangers that could arise while snorkeling.

Takeaway

So, is swimming a prerequisite for snorkeling? No, is the response. Snorkeling can be enjoyed even if you are not a confident swimmer. We do, however, strongly advise that you be at least familiar with the water and capable of floating or controlling your breathing. This greatly improves your experience so that you may take your time admiring the fish below.