Snorkeling with Kids

Children are naturally curious. And thanks to recent films, Disney's In Search of Nemo to name one, that curiosity extends to the underwater world. Whether you explore shallow waters in search of a certain black and orange-stripped fish or gaze at marine life in the folds of coral reef, snorkeling is a great way to turn a family beach vacation into an adventure with kids. What's more, snorkeling is inexpensive and it affords family fun for everyone.

You need not be a professional diver to enjoy the underwater world. Snorkeling requires nothing more than a mask, snorkel and fins! Yet there are a few things you can do to enhance a family snorkeling trip. Selecting the right snorkel gear and introducing the kids to snorkeling equipment, one piece at a time, will ensure the excursion is enjoyable. Snorkeling near your children will make it safe and fun; not only can you help them identify fish you can assist them with difficulties such as a flooded mask. An adult should enter the water first. Not only will this enable a parent to assist the children it will help the little one overcome any residual fear. Make sure each child wears a secure life vest, no matter how well they swim.

Snorkeling is a rewarding experience for both adults and kids. Yet curiosity and the quest for an exhilarating experience can easily lead to a situation in which sea life is a risk. As tempting as it may be to bring home a souvenir of your child's first snorkeling vacation, it is prohibited to collect shells and coral in many tropical destinations. What's more, simply touching coral can cause the death of an entire colony.

Families partaking in a group tour will want to discuss onboard etiquette before they depart on a snorkeling trip. Teach the kids how to work out of their gear bag and avoid a sprawling mess on the boat floor. Be sure the tikes understand the importance of remaining seated when the boat is in motion as well as the need to keep out of the way of others. If you outing includes divers, allow them to enter the water first.

Plan

Getting started

Not all beach destinations are the same. Carefully research your options before you book a family-friendly hotel or purchase a plane ticket. Find out if your preferred destination is subject to rough seas or significant tides. Determine whether the kids can snorkel from the beach or if its necessary to book a snorkeling trip to view more than sand.

The Best Snorkeling Sites

MSNBC

Frommers

U.S. Dive Travel

RateItAll

The right trip

Ok conditions for divers may not be ideal for snorkelers. Before you depart on a snorkeling trip that caters to scuba divers, determine the conditions as well as the length of the excursion. Rough waters and a strong current may not impact the quality of a dive but they can turn a snorkeling trip into an outing to forget. Keep in mind that jumping off a boat with mask, snorkel and fins is entirely different than snorkeling off the beach. Younger children and first-time snorkelers may have more fun snorkeling in shallow water. Struggling with snorkeling equipment while fighting to keep afloat could prove to be traumatic.

Optimal Conditions for Snorkeling

Snorkel Maui

Plotting your route

Survey the beach before you jump in! Locate the best snorkeling sites and get tips for accessing the reef. Get the kids involved in the search for sea grass and lone pieces of coral that attract marine life.

How to Enter the Water

isnorkel.com

Selecting an outfitter

Day trips and dive safaris offers accomplished snorkelers an opportunity to further explore the underwater world. Find out what is included in the cost, whether snorkelers and divers are permitted on the same trip, and how much time will be spent on the boat.

Dive Operators

Diveguide.com

Travelers Digest

Travel gear

Make sure the snorkeling equipment fits properly and that your child is comfortable with the gear before venturing offshore. Sasy (Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth) enables children aged 5 and up to experience the underwater with scuba equipment instead of a snorkel. Many resorts and outfitters rent or provide snorkel gear free of charge.

Selecting Snorkel Gear

Scuba Diving Magazine

Packing tips

Don't focus only on the snorkel gear. Sunscreen and a t-shirt will protect your child's skin from the tropical sun. A skin suit or wetsuit will keep them warm. A laminated card with local fish and an underwater camera - many single use models are appropriate for underwater usage -- will make snorkeling that much more fun. Pack each child's snorkeling equipment in a mesh bag that is light and fun to carry.

What Gear do Kids Need

Scuba Diving Magazine

Travel health & child safety

Don't underestimate the risk of seasickness on a boat-based snorkeling trip; an ocean that appears calm from shore can actually be rough at sea. Potentially queasy kids should sit in the center of the boat, keep their eyes on the horizon and limit their snacks on board to dry crackers and carbonated drinks.

Motion Sickness

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Explore

Books

Books are a great way to introduce younger children to a new adventure and get teens and tweens ready for a family snorkeling trip. Get recommended reading lists and discover great books about the ocean for adults and kids whether you are avid snorkelers or land lubbers. Learn to identify marine life and read stories about the sea.

Guides to the World’s Coral Reefs

Longitude

Children's Books about the Ocean

Ocean Planet

Music & Sound

Discover the sound and song of the sea. Learn to identify the sound of fish, whale and marine invertebrates. Listen as whales groan, warble, whistle and churr.

Underwater Sounds

Discovery of Sound in the Sea

whalesounds

News

Getting the latest marine news will prepare you and the kids for a snorkeling trip. Discover the latest in marine conservation. Find out what scientists and researchers are saying.

Marine Stories

ScienceDaily

The Institute of Cetacean Research

Kids' stuff

Websites make learning about marine life fun. Find free fish coloring pages. Find fun facts about fish. Discover what fish eat and find out how fish keep clean. Explore the oceans, learn more about food chains and discover the weird waters of the deepest abyss through games whether you are a novice snorkeler or avid scuba diver. Go beyond Nemo and become a scuba ranger.

Coral Reef Coloring Pages

Enchanted Learning

Fun Facts about Fish

Fish ID

Sea Life Games

BBC

Find a Scuba Ranger Club

Scuba Rangers

Organizations

Associations and non-profit organizations can be a valuable resource as well as means to get involved. Learn more about a few of the organizations involved in marine conservation and discover who's doing what to protect the world's coral reefs.

Coral Reef Conservation

Coral Reef Alliance

Global Coral Reef Alliance

ReefBase

Snorkeling with Kids destinations