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Beginners Guide to Snorkelling – Top 10 Tips
Snorkelling is one of the best ways to experience the incredible marine life of the Maldives but it can seem a little daunting if you’ve never done it before! At Innahura Maldives you will be in safe hand with our team of experts at the dive center – they can guide you through your very first breaths using the equipment as well as take you on amazing adventures to reefs you will never forget. Here are our ‘Top 10 Tips’ to get you started:
Simple, good quality equipment is best
– a traditional mask, simple snorkel and a pair of full foot fins (not the kind with straps and separate boots) are perfect for your adventures with us. The fewer extra gadgets and ‘features’ the better as there’s less to worry about! Fins are an absolute must – you will not be able to swim in a current without them.
Prepare your mask
– if it’s brand new, clean the lens with toothpaste and then rinse off – this helps prevent it misting up. Before each use, while it’s still dry, spit in it and then dip it in the water to rinse before putting it on, this should again prevent misting of the lens. Make sure your hair is not
Breathe
– normally! Don’t hyperventilate, keep you breathing relaxed. If feel a tiny bit of water in your snorkel you can give a sharp exhalation to clear it or simply take the snorkel out of your mouth and drain it before continuing.
Use your legs, not your arms
– try to keep your arms at your sides and use long flowing leg kicks – imagine a straight line from your hips to your toes and kick from the hips slowly – your knees should not be doing the work and there should be no splashing as your fins should be just below the surface.
Never snorkel alone
– always have a snorkel buddy with you so you can helkp each other if needed – an extra pair of eyes is always useful for spotting interesting fish too!
Follow local advice
– the guides and instructors know the waters around the island and the different reefs inside out and the current conditions are always changing so please do seek advice before entering the water and when on guided trips follow the guide – they mknow where all the cool stuff is likely to be!
Ensure you are comfortable in the water
– you don’t need to be an olympic swimmer but you do need to be able to swim – buoyancy aids in the form of snorkel vests are avaialble for those who would like a little peace of mind when heading to deeper water.
Don’t chase or touch marine life
– we are visitors in their world and if chased or if sudden movements are made they will be frightened away. The best encounters occur when you are slow, calm and maintain a respectful distance.
Protect and Hydrate
– wear sun protection in the form of a rashguard and reef-friendly sunscreen, and ensure you drink plenty of water before and after snorkelling to prevent dehydration.
Relax and enjoy the show!