The Ultimate Guide to Snorkeling Vacations
Aren’t you a diver? Or do you also just really like snorkeling? Then too, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we dive into the enchanting world of snorkeling, focusing on the best snorkeling vacations around the world. That could be a snorkeling vacation by itself, or a destination where you can do both beautiful diving and snorkeling. We also explore in this article what equipment you need to snorkel comfortably – because a good gear is also very useful if you want to get everything out of your snorkeling vacation!
The 5 Most Beautiful Snorkeling Sites
Of course you can snorkel in many places around the world, but there are some destinations that offer just a little bit more
Bonaire – A Snorkeling Vacation Paradise: Bonaire is known as a snorkeling vacation Valhalla, ideal for snorkelers seeking the freedom to go wherever they want – because with your rental car and snorkeling gear, you drive yourself to the best snorkeling spots. The water temperature in Bonaire is a pleasant 28°C and visibility quickly 20 meters. Particular snorkeling spots include 1000 Steps, Klein Bonaire, the Salt Pier and Wayaka in the Park. Here you can snorkel to your heart’s content, surrounded by turtles, tropical fish, colorful coral, and maybe even a curious barracuda or tarpon.
Norway – Snorkeling in Europe with a Twist: In Norway, you can experience something very unique – snorkeling with orcas & whales! This takes place in the heart of winter, when large schools of herring move along the coast, closely followed by orcas and humpback whales. This is when you can snorkel with them! The water is decidedly cold, but the experience of snorkeling with orcas is unforgettable and absolutely worth it.
Egypt – Best Snorkeling Site in Egypt: Abu Dabbab in Egypt is a fantastic diving and snorkeling destination. The bay of this spot is home to green sea turtles, stingrays, and an abundance of tropical fish and colorful coral. You can easily walk from the beach I the water and explore both left and right around the coral. Our tip? Book a snorkel excursion to find the local manatee. You won’t regret that!
Maldives – Whale Shark Snorkeling Holidays: For whale shark lovers, the Maldives is the perfect snorkeling vacation destination. Around South Ari Atoll, you can snorkel with as many as 300 different whale sharks, identified by local NGOs. This can be done from a liveaboard or from various resorts we offer in the Maldives.
South Africa – The Sardine Run as snorkeling vacation: The Sardine Run in South Africa is a unique moment where snorkelers get to see more than divers. This natural spectacle, in which millions of sardines swim in huge schools along the east coast, attracts an array of marine life, including dolphins, sharks, whales and seals. For snorkelers who like big stuff and action, the Sardine Run is an ideal opportunity to witness one of the largest natural events in the ocean.
Also experience this diving trip?
What Do You Need to Snorkel?
To snorkel, you need a few things: a snorkel mask that fits properly, a snorkel for easy breathing, comfortable fins for movement, and snorkel clothing. For a wide selection of snorkel gear visit SubLub’s snorkel collection.
Snorkel masks: Snorkel masks come in two types: traditional masks and full-face masks. Traditional masks cover your eyes and nose, while full-face masks cover the entire face, allowing breathing through both nose and mouth. Full-face masks offer a wider field of vision and are often more comfortable for beginners, but can be trickier when clearing the ears. There are also prescription masks available for people with glasses. Which snorkel mask will you choose?
Snorkel: Snorkel types range from basic, semi-dry, dry to flexible. Sounds complicated but a basic snorkel is a simple hollow tube. Semi-dry has a splash guard to keep water out. Dry snorkels completely prevent water entry, ideal for freediving. Flexible snorkels, with a one-way valve, make it easier to blow out water. Most snorkel kits include a snorkel.
Fins: There are two types of fins: closed heel and open heel. Closed heel fins are worn directly on the bare foot and are comfortable for calm, shallow water. Open heel fins are worn with special booties, ideal for rough terrain or rocky beaches. These provide more protection and stability when walking to and from the snorkeling site.
Snorkel wear: To protect yourself from the sun, coral and (almost) invisible jellyfish, a rashguard is recommended. A rashguard is a tight, lightweight shirt that provides UV protection. In slightly cooler waters or for extra protection, a 2/3 mm thick wetsuit may be sufficient for snorkeling in tropical waters, provides warmth and protection from abrasions.
Buy or Rent Snorkeling Equipment?
Unsure whether to buy or rent your snorkeling gear? This is often a trade-off between how often you use something, what it costs to rent, and whether you like using stuff that someone else has already used.
Prices for renting snorkeling equipment range from one of free to about €20 per day. If you go snorkeling for a week then it will soon be interesting to purchase your own snorkel set. This is often economically and hygienically the wisest choice. At SubLub, they have a wide range of snorkeling equipment to choose from, in addition of course to all the scuba gear in their range.
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