Below is some basic advice to help you to become an adept snorkeller. Ideally you should consider enrolling on a basic snorkel course which many clubs run, and most dive centres will offer certification teaching you the basics in only a couple of hours. Snorkelling is meant to be a fun activity the whole family can enjoy and if you can make sure that everyone entering the water is comfortable and relaxed, it will allow you to see much more marine life than if some of you are splashing around in a panic.

If you would also like help in selecting the perfect snorkelling equipment for you and your family, click here to go to the snorkelling equipment selector pages.

While snorkelling, your mask may allow small amounts of water to leak in, usually due to movement in your face due to smiling, and this water can become annoying if left.

The most obvious way to remove this water is to pull the mask away from your face, tilt the bottom outward and allow the water to literally drop out of the mask whilst on the surface. This method, although effective, is not always ideal as when you put the mask back on it is difficult to do so with some water re-entering! A better method is to apply gentle pressure with your hand to the top of the mask in the centre above the middle of your eyes whilst gently exhaling from your nose.

This forces the water to exit the mask underneath the nose as it is replaced with your breath and as soon as you stop exhaling, the mask will immediately sit back with a good seal under the nose. A third option is to purchase a mask that has a built-in purge valve. With this type of mask a similar procedure to above needs to be used.

You simply tilt the head to ensure the valve is at the lowest point of the mask, hold the entire mask squarely against your face and again gently blow via your nose. This method means that the seal of the mask to your face is not broken at any time but water is nevertheless expelled from the mask.

The first thing you should do is to ensure you have a modern snorkel which contains a purge valve system. These are common nowadays and are inexpensive but will ensure your time in the water is much more enjoyable. The only reason people tend to prefer the older style non purging J snorkel, was the possibility that the one way valve might fail, but unless you are a member of the special forces and this may cause a major covert operation to go wrong, please do not even consider this highly unlikely possibility!

With a standard purging snorkel, just ensure the valve is at the lowest point (on most snorkels but not all, the purges are at the bottom of the snorkel anyway) and make a gentle ta sound. This will propel the water out the valve.

If you have a non purging snorkel and water settles in the snorkel, to expel it, make a loud ta through the snorkel, which should make most of the water shoot out from the end of the snorkel.

Fins are not essential for snorkelling but they will allow much better propulsion through the water without the splashing that swimming without fins causes, scaring away the very aquatic life you are there to see. Laying face down, flat in the water, you should do a scissor kick with your whole leg from your hips keeping your legs straight with your knees slightly bent and toes pointed. This is called a flutter kick and is the most efficient fining technique whilst snorkelling. Avoid the circular bicycling movement with your legs that many people incorrect adopt, as it is highly inefficient and (sorry to be brutal) just looks ridiculous!

While snorkelling you may decide to leave the surface and explore beneath the waves a little further. As you descend underwater, you will feel the mask begin to push harder against your face and your ears begin to feel uncomfortable pressure. Neither are good news but both can and should be avoided by using good snorkelling techniques.

Before either occurs you should gently exhale a small amount of air into the mask via your nose, this will stop the mask squeeze as it is termed. Forget to do this and you will end up with bruising around your eyes or worse. To equalise your ears, the most common method is the valsalva manoeuvre, which is simply blocking one nostril totally and the other partially by pinching your nose with your thumb and forefinger and gently blowing against the blockage.

This should then make your ears pop with a sensation similar to that which you get on an air craft taking off. At the same time the discomfort in your ears should immediately be relieved. If for any reason it does not, return to the surface and do not continue to snorkel if you have any pain anywhere. There are other methods you can learn to clear your ears, all of which are taught in all good snorkel classes which we strongly recommend you attend.

Safety in the water is paramount, but following some simple rules can help you avoid the most common problems.

1. Only go snorkelling if you can swim
2. Practice in shallow water first - better still take a snorkel course
3. Check the equipment carefully and know how it functions
4. Learn how to clear water from the snorkel
5. Learn how to take your mask off and put it back on when you tread water
6. Be careful not to swim, or be carried by a current too far from shore or the boat
7. Never snorkel alone
8. If you are not overly confident in the water, wear a buoyancy aid like a snorkel vest
9. Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe
10. Exit the water if a storm approaches. Water conducts electricity well, you dont

When snorkelling remember the aquatic world is the home of the marine life you are watching and respect that home as you would expect others to respect your home if they were visiting. The aquatic world is very fragile so avoid holding onto to anything - things may look like rocks but they may be sensitive coral which your touch could kill or as many people will confirm, it could be a sensitive coral that leaves a nasty sting!

Watch that your fins are not dipping too low - just because you cannot feel the tips of them doesnt mean they cannot destroy fragile plants and animals with the seemingly slightest of glances. Many places now forbid snorkellers to wear gloves as these prevent the very stings that warn you not to touch and some charities and organisations run coral reef conservation expeditions where you can learn and contribute to the science of coral reef ecology. Visit our links pages to find out more.

Underwater photography while snorkelling, offers you the chance to capture your vision of the aquatic world forever. There are a few things you should be aware of to help you take great pictures. Firstly, being underwater magnifies everything by 25% making things appear closer than they actually are, just trying dropping something in the shallows and then retrieve it, initially although your eyes will tell you that your hand is almost reaching it you will still need to reach further. The second elementary fundamental point you must remember whilst practicing underwater photography is that colours are lost from the red end of the spectrum. Initially only reds disappear, turning grey in only a couple of metres of water.

The implications of this are that a stunningly colourful fish may appear dull and grey in the photograph you take. With this in mind, lighting is possibly the most important aspect; add artificial light and the colours return. Consider buying a camera with a flash or strobe unless you will only be in a couple of metres of water when taking your photographs.

Nowadays there are really 3 levels of cameras suitable for underwater photography and all have advantages and disadvantages...

1. Disposable Underwater cameras Advantages: low cost, small Disadvantages: one use only, processing costs, possible disappointment with results
2. Film Cameras Advantages: Usually include built in flash/strobe Disadvantages: Can be bulky, processing costs, possible disappointment with results
3. Digital Cameras Advantages: See results instantly and edit as you go, minimising disappointment with results. Disadvantages: Initial expense

Most diving centres offer snorkelling training and although you may consider snorkelling an activity you can just go and do without instruction, you can learn many valuable safety tips and ways to improve your enjoyment. Some of the things you may learn by enrolling in a snorkelling course...

1. How to snorkel efficiently so you do not become out of breath or tire quickly
2. How to improve your breath holding abilities to allow you to stay submerged for longer
3. Basic procedures for how to avoid stings and what to do if you do get stung
4. Mask and snorkel clearing so you remain comfortable in the water
5. Easy entry and exit procedures over rougher terrain
6. Local marine life identification
7. How to look after your equipment extending the life of it