How does snorkeling work? | A Deep Dive Into The Basics

Have you ever wanted to explore the ocean’s depths? And without the hassle of heavy and costly scuba gear? Then snorkeling is your answer! With just a mask, a snorkel, and fins, you are all set to dive in and explore the vibrant world of marine life. But how does snorkeling work?

What do you need to know to stay safe while having fun? In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know for a fantastic snorkeling experience.

How does snorkeling work? An in-depth exploration

Imagine swimming on the water’s surface and breathing through a special tube while marveling at the underwater scenery. This exciting activity is snorkeling. And the special tube you are using is called a snorkel. This tube attaches to your mask and lets you breathe air from above while your face is underwater.

The mask covers your eyes and nose and helps you see underwater clearly. You may have also seen some snorkelers wearing fins. That is for efficient movement in the water. Thanks to this popular recreational activity, you can explore the ocean’s depths without diving deep.

How do snorkels work?

Think of snorkels as your personal airways when you are exploring underwater. You breathe in, and the snorkel pulls fresh air from above the water into your mouth. When you breathe out, the air goes back up the snorkel and out into the open. The snorkel has a mouthpiece that fits snugly in your mouth to keep water out. Some snorkels even have a valve or purge mechanism that lets you clear out any water that might get into the tube by blowing it out.

Other snorkeling equipment

You will also want a mask and fins to snorkel along with your snorkel. The mask is to cover your eyes and nose. With its help, you can see underwater without any water going up your nose. Fins can help you move through the water effortlessly.

And depending on your snorkeling adventure, you might also want to wear a wetsuit or rash guard. With their help, you can keep warm in colder waters and protect your skin from harsh UV rays and jellyfish stings.

For more details, Read our what you need to know about snorkeling wear essentials and Choose The Right Snorkeling Gear List articles here.

Learning to use a snorkel

How to use a snorkel? Using a snorkel is easy once you get used to it. Here is how to do it.

Step 01 – Start by putting on your mask and adjusting the straps until it fits comfortably on your face. Check for any gaps or leaks around the edges.

Step 02 – Attach your snorkel to your mask by clipping it to the strap on the left side of your face. It should curve over your ear and point slightly upwards.

Step 03 – Put the snorkel’s mouthpiece in your mouth and bite gently on it. Seal your lips around it and breathe like you normally would through your mouth.

Step 04 – Test your snorkel by dipping your face into the water and breathing through it. If you feel any water in your mouth, blow it out through the snorkel or use the purge valve if there is one.

Step 05 – To keep water from getting into your snorkel when you dive under, either hold your breath or exhale slightly through your nose to create positive pressure in your mask. This also helps prevent fogging.

Step 06 – After resurfacing, clear out any water from your snorkel by exhaling forcefully through your mouth or tilting back slightly.

Watch this video, which guides you on how to use a snorkel properly.

Official snorkeling regulations

Snorkeling is generally safe, but you need to follow certain safety regulations.

Keeping track of everyone on the vessels

Making sure resort divers and those new to diving are medically assessed

have any difficulty breathing or feeling dizzy,

Having lookouts or guides for snorkelers, as well as rescuers and first aid facilities

Ensuring that resort divers are supervised adequately underwater

Keeping a record of dive safety measures in a log

Providing snorkelers with advice about medical conditions

Join our newsletter for everyday updates!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to know how to swim to snorkel?

Not really, but it is highly recommended for your safety and comfort. Swimming skills can help you move around in the water, steer clear of obstacles, and deal with waves and currents. Are you not confident in your swimming skills? Then, you can use a flotation device like a life jacket or snorkel vest. You could also stay close to the shore or join a guided tour with lifeguards or instructors. See Our Blog Post >>

How old do you have to be to snorkel?

There is not an official age limit, but it depends on how ready you are physically and mentally and how excited you are to snorkel. Generally, if you have children around four or five years old, they can start snorkeling with proper supervision from you as parents or guardians.

But remember, factors like water temperature, depth, visibility, weather conditions, and marine life can affect the experience of comfort and enjoyment. So, if you plan to snorkel with kids, choose a suitable location and time, and always monitor them closely.

What skills are useful for snorkeling?

Did you get swimming and how snorkel works covered? Here are a few more skills to improve your snorkeling adventure.

01. Equalizing – Imagine you are on a plane taking off, and your ears start to feel funny. What do you do? You yawn or swallow, right? It is the same when snorkeling and going deeper into the water. If your ears start feeling weird, just hold your nose and gently blow while you swallow or yawn. It is like giving your ears a little yawn of their own!

02. Mask clearing – Picture this: you are snorkeling and having a great time, but some water gets into your mask. No worries! Just tilt your head back a little, lift the bottom of your mask away from your face, and breathe out through your nose. It is like blowing a gentle breeze that pushes the water out of your mask. And if you need to, use your fingers to press the mask against your face to keep it nice and sealed.

03. Duck diving – This is a term for diving under the water while you are snorkeling. Think of yourself as a duck diving for fish. Bend your knees, bring your legs up towards your chest, and push yourself down with your arms and fins. Point yourself downwards like an arrow shooting into the water. And when you are ready to come back up, straighten out and point upwards like a cork popping back to the surface.

What is the difference between snorkeling and scuba diving?

Snorkeling is like floating on the surface and looking down at the underwater world from above. Scuba diving is like becoming part of that underwater world and exploring it up close. They are both great ways to explore the underwater world but have some key differences. Read our snorkeling vs scuba diving article here.

01. Where you are – When you are snorkeling, you are floating on the surface of the water and breathing through a tube called a snorkel. But when scuba diving, you are going deeper into the water and breathing air from a tank you carry on your back.

02. What you need – You only need a mask, a snorkel, and some fins for your feet for snorkeling. It’s pretty simple. But for scuba diving, you need more things like a regulator (to help you breathe the air from your tank), a buoyancy control device (to help you float or sink), a dive computer (to tell you how deep you are, and how long you can stay there), and a wetsuit (to keep you warm).

03. How hard it is – Snorkeling is pretty easy to pick up. You do not need any special training or certification. But for scuba diving, you must take a course and pass an exam before diving on your own.

04. What you will see – Snorkeling lets you see all the amazing things that live near the water’s surface, like coral reefs, fish, turtles, and rays. But with scuba diving, you can see things like sharks, whales, sunken ships, and underwater caves because you can go deeper.

Snorkeling safety tips

You can snorkel safely and enjoyably, following some basic rules and precautions. Keep in mind the following snorkeling safety tips.

Check the weather

Think about checking the weather before a picnic. You would not go out in a storm, right? Same with snorkeling. Make sure the weather is nice, and the water is not too rough. Check Weather >>

Pick the right spot

This is like choosing the right playground. You want a place that is fun but also safe. Look for spots with calm, clear water and extraordinary sea creatures. But watch out for areas with lots of boats, sharp rocks, or stinging jellyfish.

Follow the rules

Just like you would not run a red light, there are rules when you are snorkeling, too. Some places might have specific spots where you can snorkel or touch certain things. Always respect the ocean and its creatures.

Gear up right

You need the right equipment, a mask (If you want to know the benefits and downsides of a full face snorkel mask, please read our latest article.), snorkel (Do you need to know more about the snorkel read our what is the longest snorkel you can use article here.), and fins that fit well and are in good shape. And remember to safeguard your skin against sunlight and stings by applying sunscreen or donning a rash guard.

Snorkel with a friend

Snorkeling with a friend or in a group is always more fun and safer. Stay close to each other and learn some hand signals to communicate underwater.

Know your limits

It is essential to know when it is time to take a break. Do not push yourself too hard while snorkeling. Rest when you need to, drink lots of water, and never snorkel if you are not feeling well or have had alcohol or drugs.

Do you want to give your snorkeling equipment to new look and a longer life? Read our cleaning snorkel gear article for that.

Stay connected! Join us on WhatsApp!

Connect with us directly on WhatsApp for instant updates! Tap the button below to join our WhatsApp community and stay in the loop with all the latest news and Updates.

LET’S DIVE

Conclusion

Snorkeling is like having a VIP pass to an underwater world. We discussed how does snorkeling work with a comprehensive guide in this article. All you need is a mask, snorkel, and fins, and you are good to go! You can chill on the water’s surface and check out the amazing underwater life. But remember, even though snorkeling is pretty safe, always stick to the safety rules and guidelines.