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 Spots
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 paradise: Bonaire is known as a snorkeling paradise, ideal for snorkelers looking for the freedom to go wherever they want—because with your rental car and snorkeling gear, you can drive yourself to the best snorkeling spots. The water temperature in Bonaire is a pleasant 28°C, and visibility is often 20 meters. Notable snorkeling spots include 1000 Steps, Klein Bonaire, the Zoutpier, and Wayaka in the park. Here you can snorkel to your heart’s content, surrounded by sea 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 truly unique: snorkeling with orcas and whales! This takes place in the middle of winter, when large schools of herring migrate along the coast, closely followed by orcas and humpback whales. This is the perfect time to go snorkeling with them! The water is undeniably cold, but the experience of snorkeling with orcas is unforgettable and absolutely worth it.
Egypt – Best Snorkeling Spot in Egypt: Abu Dabbab in Egypt is a fantastic diving and snorkeling destination. The bay here is home to green sea turtles, stingrays, and an abundance of tropical fish and colorful coral. You can easily walk into the water from the beach and explore the coral both to the left and to the right. Our tip? Book a snorkeling excursion to spot the local manatee. You won’t regret it!
Maldives – Snorkeling Vacation with Whale Sharks: For whale shark enthusiasts, 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. You can do this from a liveaboard or from various resorts we offer in the Maldives.
South Africa – The Sardine Run as a Snorkeling Vacation: The Sardine Run in South Africa is a unique event where snorkelers get to see more than divers. This natural spectacle, in which millions of sardines swim in enormous schools along the east coast, attracts a wide variety of marine life, including dolphins, sharks, whales, and seals. For snorkelers who love big creatures and action, the Sardine Run is an ideal opportunity to witness one of the ocean’s greatest natural events.
Also experience this diving trip?
What do you need to go snorkeling?
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: There are two types of snorkel masks: traditional masks and full-face masks. Traditional masks cover your eyes and nose, while full-face masks cover your entire face, allowing you to breathe through both your nose and mouth. Full-face masks offer a wider field of view and are often more comfortable for beginners, but can be more difficult to equalize pressure in. Prescription masks are also available for people who wear glasses. Which snorkel mask will you choose?
snorkel: Snorkel types range from basic, semi-dry, and dry to flexible. It sounds complicated, but a basic snorkel is simply a hollow tube. Semi-dry snorkels have a splash guard to keep water out. Dry snorkels completely prevent water from entering, making them ideal for freediving. Flexible snorkels, which feature a one-way valve, make it easier to blow water out. Most snorkel sets include a snorkel.
Fins: There are two types of fins: closed-heel and open-heel. Closed-heel fins are worn directly on bare feet and are comfortable for calm, shallow water. Open-heel fins are worn with special booties, ideal for rough terrain or rocky beaches. They offer more protection and stability when walking to and from the snorkeling spot.
Snorkeling gear: To protect yourself from the sun, coral, and (almost) invisible jellyfish, a rash guard is recommended. A rash guard is a tight-fitting, lightweight shirt that offers UV protection. In slightly cooler waters or for extra protection, a 2/3 mm wetsuit may be sufficient for snorkeling in tropical waters; it provides warmth and protection against scrapes.
Should I buy or rent snorkeling gear?
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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