5 Better Ways to Snorkel Safe this Summer
Here are 5 basics of snorkel safety to know before you go on your next tropical reef adventure.
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Snorkeling shallow coral reefs is an amazing experience that can connect people with marine life easily. Unlike SCUBA, you don’t need special certifications, expensive equipment, or even stellar fitness to participate. That said, there are certain things you need to know to figure out if snorkeling is a safe marine adventure for you.
The most important part of any adventure is safety- for both you and the life around you. Unsafe snorkeling has led to declines in shallow coral reef health in places like Mexico, Egypt, and Puerto Rico1,2,3. It has also, on the rare occasion, led to severe injury and death of participants4. Don’t let these things scare you- all adventures come with inherent risk. The best way to mitigate this risk is by being aware and prepared. This article will help you do just that!
No.1 Have Realistic Expectations for Yourself
Knowing your skills and limitations is key for snorkel safety. Snorkeling is often marketed as a very relaxing, safe, family-friendly excursion, but it is important to note injury from this activity is not unheard of.
A study of Australian snorkeling incidents over 21 years published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health sheds some light on some factors snorkelers should be aware of. Some of the rarest incidents included wildlife conflicts (sharks, stingrays, crocodiles) and boat traffic. Some of the more common incidents involved snorkelers choosing to swim alone and people with pre-existing health issues- particularly those with cardiac issues4. It is always a good idea to check in with your doctor before snorkeling if you have pre-existing cardiac complications.
Additionally, looking into the weather and site conditions of your experience before jumping in the water is important. Wind, choppy surf, and strong currents can all impact the safety of your swim. Know your swimming skill level, be realistic about your health, be alert and aware, and adventure with a buddy. Snorkeling is offered at a variety of places, so find one suitable to your personal skill level.
No.2 Use the Right Equipment
If you are only planning on snorkeling one time, a cheap rental mask, fins, and snorkel can work just fine. If you plan on going multiple times, I highly recommend getting your own equipment. Equipment fitted to your personal needs maximizes the comfort and safety of your marine adventures.
Mask
A good mask is an investment in safety and comfort. Masks are not goggles- goggles only cover your eyes, while masks cover your eyes and nose. Blowing out of your nose gently while you are underwater can prevent the mask from squeezing your face and creating bruises (aka racoon eyes). This can be extremely important if you want to dive underwater while in the ocean. A good mask suctions to your face so you don’t have water leaking in constantly. When trying on a mask, push any hair out of your face, place just the mask piece to your face, then inhale gentle through your nose. The better the mask suctions to your face without help of a strap, the better it will be at keeping water out of your eyes.
Defog
Using mask defog is helpful as it keeps your mask from getting all cloudy while underwater. Some people stick with brand name defog products, while some other seasoned marine sportsmen insist on using spit. I personally recommend rubbing a thin layer of Johnson & Johnson’s baby soap on the inside before every swim (I keep a travel sized bottle in my dive bag, so I never forget it!).
Fins
Good fins make gliding through the water seem effortless. Frequent fliers favor short, compact fins. Avid free divers favor long fins. People who suffer from joint pain or leg injuries may favor specialized styles to minimize joint stress. No matter which style you choose to go with, fins work best underwater. Keeping your feet just under the water’s surface will keep you moving forward efficiently without splashing and scaring any nearby wildlife.
Snorkel
Even though this is the item for which the activity is named, your snorkel does not have to be the most expensive tool. A decent snorkel will attach to your mask and remain upright when your face is parallel with the ground. Most snorkels also have a piece near the mouth that allows you to exhale sharply to force excess water out of your snorkel without having to remove the snorkel from your mouth. You should maintain your snorkel airway without moving from your relaxed swimming position for both safety and comfort.
Body Protection
This one is optional but definitely underrated when packing a snorkeling bag. Wetsuits are not just for keeping you warm. They can also be used to protect you from environmental hazards such as the sun, fire corals, jellies, and sponges. Skin suites, rash guards, and gloves will also protect against these things. Ideally you won’t be touching anything on the reef, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Knife
This tool is also optional and is much more popular among SCUBA divers, but is still worth a mention. It is important to note a dive knife isn’t really for self defense. When swimming in a place with lots of discarded debris, you can get easily get tangled up in it all. You can use your knife to disentangle yourself without uprooting any corals or sponges the debris may be caught on. Just make sure you attach it securely to yourself when it is not in use.
No.3 Maintain Good Snorkeling Posture
Snorkeling predominantly consists of keeping your body and head parallel to the ocean floor and allowing yourself to gently glide over the scenery below. Activities such as excessive fin kicking, resting on the reef, and touching corals with your hands or other equipment can cause serious damage to the reef over time3. Maintaining the calm, suspended posture of good snorkeling can prevent these damages to the reef (or in some cases, prevent the damages that the reef can do to you). Here is an excellent video provided by Sports and Outdoors that demonstrates these basics.
In the event of an emergency where you feel you have to abandon proper snorkeling posture, try to find a decent sized sandy patch away from coral formations before turning to a vertical position and addressing the issue.
No.4 Resist the Urge to Touch Things
Coral reefs are living systems to the last detail- even the stone hard brain coral is actually made up of hundreds and hundreds of coral polyps which are each, in fact, living animals. Touching organisms like fish, anemones, sea stars, seals, and sea turtles can cause unnecessary stress to the ecosystem. Even if you are only eagerly splashing your way towards a green sea turtle with innocent hopes of snapping a perfect picture, it can still be a stressful experience for that organism.
Aside from just disturbing organisms, touching things on reefs can be harmful to you. Sponges are made of spicules that can cause irritation if they get under your skin. Fire corals having stinging cells reminiscent to that of jellyfish (they are closely related). Believe it or not, sea turtles can bite, and it can leave a decent sized bruise.
In addition to violating the health and safety of you and the reef, touching or harassing many marine animals can be considered illegal depending on where you are.
No.5 Stay Calm and Snorkel On
Staying calm is good advice for a lot of things, but in the case of snorkeling, it is the best advice for safely viewing marine life up close. Less movement means organisms in the water column are less likely t0 be darting away from you, and more likely to react calmly in your presence in return.
Final Thoughts
Snorkeling can be a bit daunting at first. It is a natural learning curve to breathe with your head underwater, even with good equipment. However, just like with any other ecosystem, we must be prepared to explore responsibly to ensure the resilience of shallow coral reefs for generations to come. Follow snorkel safety recommendations by choosing snorkel experiences tailored to your abilities, bringing equipment that will make you feel safe and comfortable in the water, maintaining good snorkeling posture while swimming, being respectful of all the life around you, and relaxing as you enjoy an accessible and magical marine adventure.
Resources and Further Readings
- Gil, M.A., Renfro, B., Figueroa-Zavala, B. et al. Rapid tourism growth and declining coral reefs in Akumal, Mexico. Mar Biol 162, 2225–2233 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-015-2748-z
- Hannak, J. S., Kompatscher, S., Stachowitsch, M., & Herler, J. (2011). Snorkelling and trampling in shallow-water fringing reefs: Risk assessment and proposed management strategy. Journal of Environmental Management, 92(10), 2723–2733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.06.012
- Webler, T., & Jakubowski, K. (2016). Mitigating damaging behaviors of snorkelers to coral reefs in Puerto Rico through a pre-trip media-based intervention. Biological Conservation, 197, 223–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.03.012
- Lippmann, J. M. (2025). Snorkeling and Breath-Hold Diving Fatalities in Australia—A Review of 317 Deaths. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(1), 119. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22010119
Sports and Outdoors YouTube video on basics of snorkeling
