Underwater photos courtesy of Robert Roth Photography

Ever since the film and television industry brought undersea adventures into our living rooms, we have been fascinated with the mysterious world beneath the sea. Scuba pioneers such as Jacques Yves Cousteau and Emil Gagnon spread the notion that man could “become one with the fishes,” attracting men, women, and children to the underwater realm. This has sparked the dive industry to a pinnacle of growth.

A number of improvements have reshaped an important aspect of diving into an exciting, independent sport that everyone can enjoy: snorkeling. The great thing about snorkeling is that everyone can do it! Certain medical conditions, or physical limitations, which might prevent people from scuba diving, may not hold them back from snorkeling. For example, asthma sufferers or people with circulatory difficulties can safely enjoy the sport. Outside of physical limitations, many people don’t have the time, money or inclination to become scuba certified.

Snorkeling is ideal for all ages, compared to scuba, for which there is a minimum age requirement of twelve years (for junior certification). It only takes a ten-minute briefing to become familiar with equipment and technique. More important is feeling comfortable and heeding preliminary warnings of stress and fatigue. Some people experience anxiety in water, compounded by the foreign feeling of breathing through a snorkel.

There’s no better place to cruise the turquoise surface than the Florida Keys, the continent’s most accessible dive and snorkel destination, suitably named “the islands you can drive to.” Accessibility, pleasant climate, water as warm as a bubble bath, and an amazing array of creatures all make this area perfect, whether you’re a veteran free-diver or just picking up a snorkel for the first time. Depths off the Keys are typically shallow, guaranteeing a foolproof, safe, enjoyable trip. Water temperatures range from the 70s in winter months to the 80s in summer. You won’t see more fish anywhere; blue striped grunts are frequently seen schooling, as well as Florida favorites like sergeant majors, horse-eyed jacks, and Bermuda chubs.

Key Largo is brimming with fine snorkeling spots, most of them in John Pennekamp State Park. The north end of Molasses Reef is beautiful and shallow – perfect for snorkeling.

Marathon, at one time a subdued fishing camp, boasts several fine snorkeling spots, especially the Sombrero Reef area. The spur-and-groove reefs, more than you could ever find time to explore, are full of vibrant life.

In the Lower Keys, Looe Key is legendary for its glorious finger reef seascape, where snorkelers flock to take in the untouched beauty.

Off Key West, the Sambos (Eastern, Middle, and Western) lure the masses, as do Sand Key, Rock Key, and Eastern Dry Rocks. Beyond, the Marquesas and Dry Tortugas are worth the trip for pristine, uncrowded snorkeling.

Family Fun

Many beginners are hesitant to breathe through the snorkel apparatus – it’s unnatural and takes a bit of acclimation. Snorkel classes help anxious beginners overcome this fear and any others they may feel: fears of sea creatures, drowning, and the open expanse of the sea. If you’re new to snorkeling, here are a few tips to help it go smoothly:

Make Sure Your Equipment Fits. Your fins shouldn’t be tight, but you don’t want them falling off when you kick powerfully to propel yourself. Put your mask up to your face, without using the strap, breathe in, and let go. If it stays in place, it’s a good fit.

Practice breathing in and out with the snorkel before you get into the water. Once in, you may keep your tongue on the mouthpiece to act as a block if you fear you’ll inhale water. If you free-dive below the surface, get ready to blow the water out of the snorkel when you surface.

Above all, relax. You’re in no danger of drowning; the fish will not hurt you. You’re just another fish to them, and they want to check you out, too.

Most of the time, snorkelers float effortlessly above the reefs on a calm ocean surface, but the ocean does have its choppy days. Always use a snorkel vest or floatation device. Check the weather forecast to be sure conditions will guarantee a safe, relaxing snorkel excursion. After all, fun is what it’s all about! As with scuba diving, the buddy system is recommended.

An activity that includes everyone is the cornerstone of a successful family vacation. Using waterproof fish books and plastic identification slates, everybody from grandma to the kids can have fun searching for different species. Who can be the first to spot a peppermint bass? A rock beauty angelfish? Try thinking up new games to play.

Prolific underwater photographic opportunities await the camera-toting snorkeler: a wide variety of pelagics such as turtles, rays and an occasional whale shark. November through March is peak season for manatee encounters, and quiet snorkelers are more welcomed by the mammals than are divers with their bubbles.

Easily accessed reefs make twilight snorkeling just as popular as daytime. The diurnal and nocturnal creatures emerge on the reef, and from a snorkeler’s perspective, all the exciting transitions, color changes, and close examinations of interacting habitats are just as enriched as when they’re seen through a scuba diver’s mask.

Safety

Snorkelers must remember that coral is extremely sensitive and will die if touched. Some people are inclined to actually stand on coral heads when they need to rest or adjust equipment. It’s also easy to get distracted by the marvels of the sea, to the point where you don’t realize how close you are to coral – brushing against it will hurt you as well as the coral itself. Coral is sharp, and some types, like fire coral, are poisonous and will leave a painful rash that is slow to heal. Respect these creatures and keep a distance from them for safe, responsible snorkeling.

An advantage of snorkeling over diving is the lack of regulators and other instruments which, when dangling, can injure coral. In addition, snorkel equipment is easy to store and maintain. You can still free-dive as deep as you’re comfortable with, unencumbered by bulky tanks and hoses. Snorkel gear is affordable and it’s worth the cost to ensure that you have stuff that fits and is yours alone. A mask, snorkel, fins, and vest can be rinsed and stored without much further attention to moveable or replaceable parts. Qualified dive store personnel can recommend the best ways to prolong the life of your equipment.

The best way to see the underwater world is just to get into the water and see it for yourself! The sport has attracted scores of thrill-seekers curious about what lies beneath the waters that make up two-thirds of the earth’s surface. The adventures that await the snorkeler are as diverse as the colors of the sea and its creatures.

Julie Botteri is a fulltime freelance writer living in the Florida Keys. Her articles appear in destination, travel, and health magazines featuring island living, wine country, as well as pet health and alternative healing techniques.