Snorkeling Guides

There are many things you can do to enhance your snorkeling adventures. Learning more about the underwater world is one of them. The marine life is fascinating and being able to identify what you are seeing is quite enjoyable as well as impressive. There are several ways to learn about the marine environment. The internet is an excellent reference tool, as are television shows such as “Animal Planet” and various programs offered on the Discovery channel. There are countless books out there that include marine life identification. This writer is partial to the books authored by Paul Humann. His books are filled not only with beautiful pictures of the marine life but the information about the marine life does not require a P.H.D. in Science to read and understand. There are also plastic cards that can be taken in the water with you with pictures and names of the fishes corals and marine animals on them. Some of these are even geographically specific. Some scuba diving facilities even offer marine life identification courses. Even though these are geared for Scuba divers, snorkelers can also benefit from this education. Most major cities have Aquarium’s where you can learn more about the underwater world.

Another way to enhance your snorkeling experiences would be to actually take a snorkeling/skin diving course. These courses will help you learn how to get the most out of your snorkeling equipment with actual confined water training on its use. The courses are usually offerred through Scuba training facilities as well as being offerred by some resorts, YMCA, local high schools and colleges.

There are also ways to capture your snorkeling experience and be able to share what you have seen using waterproof cameras or video equipment. For more on this subject take a moment to read our article Snorkeling with Cameras and Video. There are also environmental organizations which allow you to participate in various programs such as fish counting programs.

Enhancing your scuba experience can also include enhancements to your equipment such as adding a whistle and a signal tube to your equipment. These fall under the category of safety and if you never have to use them then it is a blessing. It is the one time that you might need them and not don’t have them that you will realize how much they enhance your snorkeling simply by their safety aspect.

Specific snorkeling/skin diving adventures will also enhance your snorkeling experience. The Island of Grand Cayman actually is known for their snorkeling with the stingrays at Stingray City. For more information on interesting places to snorkel read the article on Snorkeling Vacations & Destinations.

Bringing an underwater flashlight with you may also enhance your snorkeling experience by lighting up the darker areas where fascinating critters may be hiding. It is essential for any twilight or night snorkeling.