What is Snorkelling?

Snorkelling is where you swim on the surface of the sea with a mask and a short tube called a snorkel, looking down at the seabed. Snorkelling requires no special training, and learning how to breathe through the snorkel can be done by anyone. It will be an advantage if you can swim, otherwise you will not be able to move around to look at the beautiful corals, fishes, and sea creatures living on and around the reef. Unless you are a very good swimmer, always wear a snorkel vest.

When you snorkel, you must not touch the fish as you might disturb the mucous coating that protects them from disease. It is also very important that you do not touch the corals. Corals are very sensitive organisms. They take hundreds of years to form, but even a gentle human touch can kill them in seconds. Do keep a lookout for stinging  sea organisms like jellyfish. Sharks are rarely found at popular snorkelling spots where the reefs are shallow. However, if you do see one, do not panic. Most reef sharks are not maneaters. Calmly ans slowly leave the water if one such shark seems to pay attention to you!