As a broke
college kid from New Jersey, I don’t have very much experience snorkeling on
tropical reefs. Aside from a short family trip couple years ago, I’m pretty
clueless when it comes to swimming in a turbulent ocean. I’ve run into a bunch
of snags as I slowly get more accustomed to snorkel life, so here are some tips
I wish I knew before I jumped in the water!
1)
Drink water before you jump!
When you’re out in the harsh
Florida heat, you probably know to drink a ton of water. But aside from just
keeping hydrated, the snorkel dries out your mouth pretty bad. Salt water will occasionally
get on your snorkel mouthpiece, and the constant mouth breathing will make your
mouth go dry in minutes. Having easy access to water is a big help!
2)
Be aware of the waves
Off in the ocean, some waves are to
be expected. But the skies won’t always be sunny, especially in the
thunderstorm capital known as Florida. These waves can toss you far away from
your snorkel buddies without you even noticing, or even knock you against the boat.
A rogue wave actually knocked my thigh into the boat ladder, and it was not a
very fun experience. When approaching the boat, quickly grab on when the waves
are the softest and be careful!
3)
Beware of ctenophores!
These little buggers are the green
heads of the sea. They’re tiny, just about invisible, and give a deliver a
small sting that feels much like a bug bite. You likely won’t be able to avoid
them, so wearing protective clothing (like a rashguard) is about your only
protection. Another piece of trivia no one will probably tell you: the stings
become much more painful when you’re already sunburned! If you feel a sudden
rush of pain but you don’t spot a jellyfish, you’re likely safe so don’t panic!
4)
Always keep your boat in sight!
With the plethora of sea flora and
fauna below you, it’s easy to get caught up in all the scenery. But taking a
moment every couple minutes to scan the horizon is really important to having a
good snorkeling experience. You’ll likely have a boat captain watching out for
you, but if your head is underwater you have little hope of hearing him scream
for you. If you start to drift pretty far from the boat, swim a little closer.
And if you find yourself drifting faster than you can swim, don’t be afraid to
yell for help!
Want a more extensive snorkel guide?
Check out here! http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/
Curious as to what creatures you’ll
see snorkeling? Take a look at the REEF guide! http://www.reef.org/resources/galleries/caribbean
Thanks for the heads up on the Ctenophores! I hadn't encountered any while diving so I'll be sure to keep an eye out and avoid them when I'm near the surface. It's amazing how just a slight change in depth, even at the same location and at the same time, poses different risks for each participant.
ReplyDeleteThis is very helpful for those who have not snorkeled before. With all the excitement of everything around you sometimes you get caught up and forget to check how far you are from the boat, which you definitely DO NOT want to lose site of out in the ocean. The current and waves are important as well. I noticed that when I came up to unfog my goggles and went back down I was definitely not in the same spot because the current carried me to a new area. Staying hydrated is always important but especially when you are out snorkeling around in salt water. The first day of snorkeling I got very dehydrated and it actually made me sick, so if you feel yourself getting thirsty a quick trip back to the boat for some water is a good idea.
ReplyDelete