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If you’re looking to take your snorkelling skills to the next level, learning how to snorkel underwater is a great way to explore marine life up close and enjoy the underwater world beyond the surface. This guide will teach you how to safely dive beneath the waves, hold your breath effectively, and navigate the basics of underwater snorkelling.
Preparing to Snorkel Underwater
Before attempting to snorkel underwater, make sure you are comfortable with basic snorkelling skills on the surface. Once you’re ready to go deeper, follow these steps:
Safety First: Never snorkel underwater alone. Always have a buddy present, even if you’re just exploring shallow waters. Your buddy can help in case of any issues, such as cramping or shallow water blackout.
Choose the Right Gear: Use a well-fitting snorkel mask that provides a clear view and stays watertight. Make sure your snorkel is secure but easy to remove for breath-holds. Fins can help you move more efficiently underwater, especially if you’re aiming to snorkel deeper.
How to Snorkel Underwater Step by Step
Take a Deep Breath and Remove the Snorkel: Before diving underwater, take a deep breath, and then remove the snorkel from your mouth. Holding the snorkel in your mouth during a dive is not recommended because it could fill with water and create a choking hazard. Removing the snorkel also allows for a more comfortable and controlled breath-hold.
Equalise Your Ears as You Descend: As you dive down, the pressure increases, which can cause discomfort in your ears. To avoid this, you need to equalise. Pinch your nose and gently blow air against your pinched nostrils to equalise the pressure in your ears. Do this early and often during your descent to prevent pain or injury.
Stay Streamlined and Relaxed: Keep your body streamlined and avoid excessive movement to conserve energy and oxygen. Use gentle, controlled kicks with your fins to propel yourself, and keep your arms close to your body to reduce drag.
Return to the Surface and Clear Your Snorkel: When you’re ready to surface, exhale gently as you ascend. Once you break the surface, clear any water from your snorkel by blowing out sharply through the tube, or by removing the snorkel entirely and breathing directly from your mouth.
Why Removing the Snorkel is Important
You might wonder why it’s recommended to remove the snorkel during a breath-hold. When you hold your breath with a snorkel in, water can enter the snorkel tube, posing a choking hazard. Additionally, when ascending, it’s better to take your first breath directly from the open air rather than through the snorkel, which could still contain water.
Equalising Your Ears is Essential
Equalising is one of the most important skills when snorkelling underwater. Failing to equalise can lead to ear barotrauma, which occurs when the pressure difference between the outer ear and middle ear becomes too great. Equalising often and early during your descent will help protect your ears and ensure a more comfortable experience.
If You're Searching "How to Snorkel Underwater" or "How to Snorkel Deeper"...
If you’re looking for information on how to snorkel underwater or how to snorkel deeper, you’re already dipping your toes into the world of freediving. Believe it or not, freediving isn’t just about diving to extreme depths. For many, it starts with a simple goal: learning to hold their breath longer and diving comfortably in shallow waters of 5-10 metres.
Freediving courses teach essential skills such as breath-hold techniques, relaxation methods, and equalisation strategies. Even if you don’t plan to dive deep, taking a freediving course can greatly improve your underwater snorkelling experience, allowing you to stay down longer, feel more relaxed, and explore marine life up close.
Snorkelling and Freediving: The Perfect Combo
Learning how to snorkel underwater is a great first step towards freediving. As you practise, you’ll not only enjoy seeing more marine life but also gain a deeper understanding of your body and its abilities. Freediving skills such as effective equalisation and proper breath-hold techniques make underwater snorkelling safer and more enjoyable.
Want to Go Further? Try a Freediving Course
If you’re serious about improving your underwater snorkelling skills, consider taking a freediving course. At Deep Sensations Freediving, our courses are designed for all levels, from beginners who want to explore shallow waters to those aiming to go deeper. Learning to hold your breath longer and dive safely opens up a whole new world of underwater adventure.
Start Your Freediving Journey – Sign up for a Molchanovs or SSI Freediving Course and take the first step toward underwater exploration.
With the right techniques and safety measures, you’ll be able to snorkel underwater confidently and enjoy the beautiful marine life that awaits below the surface. Stay safe, equalise often, and never snorkel alone. Happy snorkelling!
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