How to Snorkel: 7 Beginner Tips from an Expert Snorkeler 

Hello, I’m Nichole, and my hubby and I have snorkeled at 74 sites around the world over the past 18 years. Here’s our Snorkel Resume!

We have navigated equipment mishaps, unpredictable conditions, and delicate ecosystems.

These tips aren’t just a regurgitated listicle. It’s tested, relatable advice for those who are new to snorkeling.

It can feel a bit intimidating at first. Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to snorkel like a pro.

If you plan on snorkeling more than once, invest in good quality gear that fits your unique shape!

In our early snorkeling days, my husband and I rented gear or used the gear a snorkeling tour operator provided.

The mask would leak, or the fins were too tight and rub in the wrong space. Ugh. Not my idea of fun times.

Go to your local dive shop to be fitted, or you can take a look at my favorite snorkeling gear to see who are the top rated brands.

There’s not a one-size-fits-all all, and it may take some trial and error before you find your Goldilocks fit.

Nichole Pro Tip: Test your mask’s seal before your trip. Press it to your face with the strap pushed out of the way—if it sticks while you inhale, you’ve found your match.

Here are all of the snorkel masks I tried and my pro tips on how to prevent a foggy mask if you want to know more!

New snorkelers (like me in 2009 in Maui!) will often lift their heads frequently or panic when a wave comes in, breaking the seal in their mask or causing water to flood the mask or snorkel.

I strongly advise practicing in a local swimming pool first or in calm shallow water where you can stand up if needed.

A relaxed environment will allow you to get the hang of floating flat on your stomach with your face down and breathing slowly in and out of a snorkel.

Bite gently on the snorkel but not too tight; otherwise, your jaw will start to hurt after awhile.

Learn how to clear your snorkel. If water enters the snorkel, blow forcefully through the tube to shoot out all the water.

I keep my hands to my side, knees just slightly bent, and then do small gentle kicks. Kick from the hips, not the knees!

You’re not really swimming; it’s more like gliding. Snorkeling is meant to be relaxing. You don’t need to expend a lot of energy unless you are trying to keep up with a whale shark in the Maldives. 😊

Keep your fins below the water when kicking and do not splash unless you want a curious shark to check you out.

My husband and I recently went to Aruba with his family.

A few family members had never snorkeled before. One big thing they were struggling with was how to get all that gear on without losing their fins and falling into the water.

✔️   Step 1

Thoroughly clean the mask back at the hotel or vacation rental first.

Also, have a “Snorkel Plan” before you get to the beach. I research ahead of time where to enter, which direction to snorkel, and what I might see.

I create very detailed snorkeling guides with ratings on all the sites I have visited.

Here’s an example of one of my Snorkel Plans below.

✔️   Step 2

Once at the beach, squirt a little bit of diluted baby shampoo into the mask and leave it there. I carry a small silicone bottle that I put in my swim leggings/shorts in case I need more while snorkeling.

Or I attach the bottle to my Ugo (best waterproof snorkeling bag ever!) with a carabiner clip if I’m shore snorkeling and need to take my valuables with me.

✔️   Step 3

I use open-heel fins, which have a strap on the back. This strap makes it easy to slide both fins onto my left arm. I carry my snorkel mask in my right hand.

✔️   Step 4

Walk into the ocean and quickly rinse out the baby shampoo. Put the snorkel mask and snorkel on.

Make sure there’s no little baby hairs floating across your face. One little hair can break that snorkel mask seal. I usually braid my hair and have it all slicked back.

Even smiling can break a seal. Keep a neutral face.

✔️   Step 5

Once you are in waist deep water, slip on the fins and then snorkel around close to the shore to make sure everything feels right.

✔️   Step 6

I always give my husband the OK hand signal and off we go!

✔️   Step 7

When I am ready to get out of the water, I do these steps in reverse order. My fins come off first followed by my mask once I’m in waist deep water near the shore.

✔️   Step 1

Getting in the water to snorkel from the boat is much easier than getting back on the boat.

Squirt that diluted baby shampoo on the mask. Rinse the mask from the side of the boat. Put the mask and snorkel on.

✔️   Step 2

Sit on the side of the boat and put your fins on. Don’t try to walk in your fins on the boat.

✔️   Step 3

Wiggle your butt off the side of the boat and hop into the water while gently holding your mask to your face.

✔️   Step 4

Getting back into the boat is much more challenging especially if the water is a little choppy.

Snorkel towards the boat ladder. Hold onto the ladder with one hand and use your other hand to take off one fin at a time. Hand off each fin to the boat crew.

✔️   Step 5

Climb up the ladder. Take off your snorkel mask once you are on the boat.

Not all snorkeling sites are equal.

Avoid murky harbors or spots with strong currents. Seek out protected bays with calm water and visible reefs.

Avoid areas with boat traffic or crazy tourists riding Sea-Doos.

My hubby and I have snorkeled all over from Belize to Bora Bora. My top picks for beginner snorkelers are:

• Francis Bay and Maho Bay in St. John
• Andrea 2 and Bari Reef in Bonaire

✔️   Never snorkel alone 

Always snorkel with a buddy. My husband is my partner, and we stay together.

Sometimes the ocean conditions can change, or one of you could have a medical emergency.

There was one time we were snorkeling in the Maldives in an area I would consider more advanced. I snorkeled past a blacktip reef shark who was in the distance.

To my surprise (this is the first time this has ever happened), the blacktip reef shark changed directions and started swimming towards me.

Normally reef sharks have no interest in you and dart away as soon as they see you. I guess this was a curious juvenile reef shark.

I stood my ground and faced it in case I needed to use force to deter it. I was thankful my husband was right beside me in the event I needed assistance. 

Long story short— snorkel with a partner!

✔️   Wear reef-safe sunscreen

Lots of great sunscreen brands out there. I prefer Thinksport.

But if I’m being honest, I hate reef-safe sunscreens because you really have to reapply constantly to keep from getting burned to a crisp.

I MUCH prefer wearing a long sleeved sun shirt and swim leggings. Then I put sunscreen on my face, ears, neck, hands (but now I wear snorkel gloves), and my lower back (my shirt sometimes rides up).

✔️   Avoid touching marine life or coral

That “pretty rock”? Could be a stone or scorpion fish (as seen in my first photo in this section).

That beautiful striped fish with fan-like fins? Yep, that’s a lion fish that is very poisonous.

Know your “bad” fish and don’t be touching the marine life.

Get a fish guide to help identify all the cool critters you might see and know which ones to avoid. I created a fish guide for the Maldives and hope to make more.

✔️   Check the weather

Avoid snorkeling if it’s really windy or after heavy rain because it reduces visibility. Sunny days are always best.

Absolutely.

Use a snorkel vest (adjustable buoyancy helps conserve energy) and stick to shallow, calm areas.

I am a seasoned snorkeler, and I’m not embarrassed to say I wear a snorkel vest anytime we snorkel.

My legs will sometimes cramp up, or I’ll get tired. Having that extra buoyancy really helps out.

Snorkeling unlocks a silent beautiful world most travelers never see.

There’s nothing like the first time you see a turtle glide beside you or an octopus camouflage into the coral. It’s exhilarating.

Share your snorkeling stories in the comments below. I’d love to hear if you found any of these tips useful. Happy snorkeling! 🤿

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Questions about how to snorkel? Did you find any of these beginner tips useful? 

Let me know in the comments below!