Who Else Wants To Go Snorkeling In The Caribbean?

The Caribbean, Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands are ideal places for a snorkeling trip because of their calm, clear waters and thriving sea life.  The best time to go snorkeling is at night, because that is when most of the marine life can be seen. Usually, night snorkeling is conducted with the aid of an underwater torch, and a chemical light strapped to the waist of the diver to warn approaching boats that there are divers present in the water.

Snorkeling is not a new activity, but the growing interest in eco-tourism has led to a renewed interest in it, and it has become a very popular activity with tourists in the Caribbean.
 
The renewed interest in Caribbean snorkeling is a result of the clear waters in the Caribbean that offer many good opportunities for underwater sightseeing. This is also helped by the varied marine life in the Caribbean that includes fish, mollusk, kelps, jellyfish, ray, seaweed and algae, all of which may be experienced at close range. The marine life in the Caribbean is far varied and denser than the land life, making it a good sightseeing location for nature lovers.

Snorkeling in the Caribbean is an activity much more accessible than, for example, rafting or bungee jumping.  That said, although it is not classified as an extreme sport, do not assume that the lack of risk means a lack of fun or thrills.  Caribbean snorkeling can be enjoyed with only minimal equipment, meaning that the experience is very comfortable, and you really feel that you are getting close to the sea life.  Even young children can enjoy snorkeling as long as they are strong swimmers.

Even though Caribbean snorkeling is usually done in shallow waters, and the risks are minimal, there are still some things that you should be aware of.  The most common issue faced is mask flooding, when water enters the mask while you are under water.  Other problems can arise if you dive too deep and cause high pressure build-up in the ears, or, if you get caught out due to poor water visibility. Finally, the varied marine life can cause problems – corals are sharp, and it is easy to cut yourself on them.  Some species of sea urchins are poisonous, and some eels tend to bite.  Do not let these issues put you off, however, as they are all minor if you educate yourself on how to deal with them, and, with a little care they can easily be avoided.

If you need any advice about Caribbean snorkeling, then speak to the staff about it when you buy your equipment – there are many such shops on the islands, and most of them would be happy to give some tips to keep you safe.