How to Choose the Best Location for Snorkeling

A great snorkeling spot will be safe, fun and keep you coming back for more. At a poor snorkeling location you might find yourself fighting a current, battling crowds or struggling to see in murky conditions.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 Weather Radios
• 1 Dive Masks
• 1 Pair Swimming Fins
• 1 Snorkels

1. Decide what you want to accomplish on your snorkeling outing. Do you want to dive for abalone, view a certain type of fish, get comfortable around a rocky environment, or practice simple diving and surfacing?

2. Research locations that offer an environment that will help you meet your snorkeling goals.

3. Consider accessibility to decent medical care, boating traffic, weather conditions, water temperature, depth, visibility and local wildlife.

4. Be in agreement with your buddy that your location suits your goals.

5. Confer with each other to confirm that what you find on arrival matches your research.

Tips & Warnings

• Inquire at a reputable local dive shop about the best places to snorkel considering your goals. Ask the shop owner or a certified dive master, as they are more likely to steer you in the right direction.
• Be honest with your ability and experience level when asking for location information. Overconfidence might lead you to dangerous situations.
• Avoid areas with any combination of waves, surge, wind, and sandy bottoms, as these contribute to poor water clarity.
• Check visibility above and below water first. Excessively poor visibility can put you at great risk of losing your buddy, bumping into some hazardous object or being run over by a boat. This holds true especially at night, in fog and in silty water.
• Snorkeling is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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