Snorkeling is a cross between diving and swimming because you are skimming over the surface of water but with your face (or whole head) submerged so you need some equipment that will help you breathe.

Snorkeling is a popular sea sport because snorkelers get the opportunity to experience ‘living’ like a fish or any other sea creatures through ‘swimming’ in their own underwater world. The natural setting often includes the coral reefs with their magnificent shapes and structures, the assortment of sea cactus, and of course, the sandy floor where sea weeds sprout everywhere.

The underwater organisms that frequented, or rather, lived inside and around the corals are small fish, cephalopods, starfish, mollusks, and sea urchins. You may catch rare sightings of flatfish and the rays in sandy areas. You will be swimming alongside jellyfish, sea turtles, shrimps, and other sea organisms that often swim near the surface. You may be lucky to witness a group of frolicking dolphins.

Unlike scuba diving, snorkeling does not require special training. You should be a good swimmer, of course. And you should learn how to breathe through your mouth because the snorkel or mouthpiece is placed between your teeth. The length of the tube depends on the water depth.

Snorkeling can be done in any part of the sea where the water is often calm or almost without waves, warm temperature, and an abundance of sea organisms near the surface.

Popular locations for snorkeling are found in the warmer parts of the world and are often rich in sea corals, such as:

• Coral Sea
• Caribbean Sea
• Red Sea

Two important things to remember by a snorkeler:

1. It is recommended for snorkelers to go snorkeling in pairs or with a group, for safety reasons.

2. Snorkelers are required to observe the conservation regulations. The coral reefs are extremely fragile and they are easily damaged so there are strict local rules that protect these spectacular underwater creatures.

Other sports activities that are related to snorkeling, because the snorkeling equipment is used, are the following:

• Bog snorkeling – is a sport popular in Britain, where snorkeling is spelled as ‘snorkelling.’
• Drift snorkeling – is snorkeling along the direction of the ocean’s current.
• Underwater Hockey – is played at the bottom of a swimming pool so players are wearing snorkeling equipment.
• Spear fishing – is fishing with the use of spear and the snorkeling equipment.