Snorkeling With the Whole Family
There are many vacation spots where snorkeling is a big draw, and many of the places you snorkel, you do so in shallow water. When I say shallow water, I mean water shallow enough for the kids to stand in, bend over, put their masked face in the water and watch fish swim by. Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean all have excellent shallow water snorkeling. This makes it pretty darn safe even for the youngest of your family. Good snorkel areas tend to have very calm water, but you still should maintain a watch on the little ones and practice water safety. Overall, shallow water snorkeling is very safe.
To start the day off right, eat a light breakfast and hit the beach early in the morning, before the big crowds arrive. Stake out a nice sunny spot, so when you came out of the water you can warm up. Keep the beach umbrella close by for later in the day. Always check with the life guard about conditions in the water, including any currents commonly found near the snorkel area before you enter the water. Make sure all rental snorkel equipment is in good condition before you use it. Always give the kids a refresher course on snorkel use before you enter the water, even if they have snorkeled before.
Many snorkel parks have rest rooms, restaurants, gift shops and anything else a vacationing family can want or need. You can usually purchase a nice water proof identification card for the local fish species at the gift shop. This can make your day of snorkeling even more fun. You can mark the species as you see them, or see who spots the most species of sea animals. Notice how this turns into fun and educational?
You can also usually purchase underwater disposable or one-use cameras. This is a really fun thing to give the kids. They will spend hours swimming around trying to get a photo of that one special fish or turtle. The results can be very nice and provide interesting additions to your scrap book. Get a camera for yourself as well, you are going to see something you just wish you had a photo of!
Have one member of the family be the time keeper and alert everyone when it's lunch time. Snorkeling can be so entertaining that the time will fly by. Plan on a siesta after lunch, with time on dry land before you continue your family water adventure!
http://www.articlesbase.com/aerobics-articles/snorkeling-with-the-whole-family-526315.html
Showing posts with label Hawaii. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hawaii. Show all posts
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Best Places To Go Snorkelling
The Best Places To Go Snorkelling
Whether you're a beginner or are quite experienced at it, snorkelling can be a lot of fun. By exploring the depths of the ocean, you can see a multitude of incredible plants and animals in their natural environment. Indeed, snorkelling is a bit like visiting another planet - without having to don a spacesuit or be rocketed into outer space. If you'd like to go on a bona fide snorkelling holiday but aren't sure quite where to go, there are several excellent spots around the globe to choose from; check out our top five picks by reading on below.
Dean's Blue Hole, Bahamas
As the world's deepest blue hole, Dean's Blue Hole is a true marvel. Located on Long Island in the Bahamas, this topnotch snorkelling spot offers up some unparalleled and unbelievable snorkelling opportunities. A blue hole occurs when the roof of a very old cave system collapses into the sea. At Dean's Blue Hole, you'll be mesmerised by the rapid way that the floor descends down to 600 feet; the white sands and crystal clear waters are stunning, too. In addition to a dizzying array of fish, you may spy many other creatures like turtles, dolphins or porpoises as you swim around this remarkable place. For world-class snorkelling, Dean's Blue Hole is a natural choice.
The Seychelles Islands
The Seychelles are more than 100 islands that are scattered off the east coast of Kenya, and they offer up some of the most unspoiled, scenic and peaceful beaches - and snorkelling opportunities - in the world. The coral reefs here are unforgettably beautiful, and the sea life is varied enough to keep you on your toes at every turn. You can choose to snorkel in popular, more-populated areas - or stick with more out-of-the-way, less crowded locales. Beginners can easily find instruction, while more experienced snorkellers will find plenty to keep them busy. Wherever you choose to snorkel, if it's within the Seychelles Islands you are going to have an experience unlike any other.
Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii
As the place where Captain Cook perished, Kealakekua Bay is historically significant and worth a visit for that reason alone. However, the real fun can be found beneath the surface of the pure blue waters just off its coast. Because the bay - and its snorkelling spots - are off the beaten path, you can rest assured that you will enjoy quite a bit of privacy while snorkelling here. To get to the bay, you'll need to hike or kayak there - but it's well worth it. Underwater lava caves make snorkelling here a true delight; watching the fish dart their way in and out of those caves is truly mesmerising. Eels are also plentiful here, and are a pleasure to observe. Finally, humpback whales and dolphins regularly pay visits here, so be on the lookout!
Norman Reef, Australia
People around the world know that the Great Barrier Reef is a true snorkelling mecca. As vast as it is, though, choosing a single spot to focus your efforts on can be daunting. If you're only going to snorkel in one place while visiting, make it the Norman Reef. You cannot simply walk or paddle over to the reef; a boat trip is necessary, but very worth it. The coral shelves and other amazing features that abound here will reel you in; there are giant clams and thousands of different tropical fish to keep you from ever getting bored. For sheer beauty, variety and splendour, Norman Reef is a wonderful place to snorkel.
The Red Sea
There are a couple of great choices when it comes to snorkelling in the Red Sea; Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga, Egypt are at the top of the list. If you want to see what snorkelling in the Red Sea is all about, choose one of those places as your jumping off point. The waters are surprisingly clear, and they are teeming with an abundance of interesting and colourful fish and other sea life. There's definitely a reason why the Red Sea has earned such a positive reputation in the world of snorkelling; book a holiday there to find out for yourself - you definitely will not be disappointed.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/the-best-places-to-go-snorkelling-1825686.html
Whether you're a beginner or are quite experienced at it, snorkelling can be a lot of fun. By exploring the depths of the ocean, you can see a multitude of incredible plants and animals in their natural environment. Indeed, snorkelling is a bit like visiting another planet - without having to don a spacesuit or be rocketed into outer space. If you'd like to go on a bona fide snorkelling holiday but aren't sure quite where to go, there are several excellent spots around the globe to choose from; check out our top five picks by reading on below.
Dean's Blue Hole, Bahamas
As the world's deepest blue hole, Dean's Blue Hole is a true marvel. Located on Long Island in the Bahamas, this topnotch snorkelling spot offers up some unparalleled and unbelievable snorkelling opportunities. A blue hole occurs when the roof of a very old cave system collapses into the sea. At Dean's Blue Hole, you'll be mesmerised by the rapid way that the floor descends down to 600 feet; the white sands and crystal clear waters are stunning, too. In addition to a dizzying array of fish, you may spy many other creatures like turtles, dolphins or porpoises as you swim around this remarkable place. For world-class snorkelling, Dean's Blue Hole is a natural choice.
The Seychelles Islands
The Seychelles are more than 100 islands that are scattered off the east coast of Kenya, and they offer up some of the most unspoiled, scenic and peaceful beaches - and snorkelling opportunities - in the world. The coral reefs here are unforgettably beautiful, and the sea life is varied enough to keep you on your toes at every turn. You can choose to snorkel in popular, more-populated areas - or stick with more out-of-the-way, less crowded locales. Beginners can easily find instruction, while more experienced snorkellers will find plenty to keep them busy. Wherever you choose to snorkel, if it's within the Seychelles Islands you are going to have an experience unlike any other.
Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii
As the place where Captain Cook perished, Kealakekua Bay is historically significant and worth a visit for that reason alone. However, the real fun can be found beneath the surface of the pure blue waters just off its coast. Because the bay - and its snorkelling spots - are off the beaten path, you can rest assured that you will enjoy quite a bit of privacy while snorkelling here. To get to the bay, you'll need to hike or kayak there - but it's well worth it. Underwater lava caves make snorkelling here a true delight; watching the fish dart their way in and out of those caves is truly mesmerising. Eels are also plentiful here, and are a pleasure to observe. Finally, humpback whales and dolphins regularly pay visits here, so be on the lookout!
Norman Reef, Australia
People around the world know that the Great Barrier Reef is a true snorkelling mecca. As vast as it is, though, choosing a single spot to focus your efforts on can be daunting. If you're only going to snorkel in one place while visiting, make it the Norman Reef. You cannot simply walk or paddle over to the reef; a boat trip is necessary, but very worth it. The coral shelves and other amazing features that abound here will reel you in; there are giant clams and thousands of different tropical fish to keep you from ever getting bored. For sheer beauty, variety and splendour, Norman Reef is a wonderful place to snorkel.
The Red Sea
There are a couple of great choices when it comes to snorkelling in the Red Sea; Sharm el Sheikh and Safaga, Egypt are at the top of the list. If you want to see what snorkelling in the Red Sea is all about, choose one of those places as your jumping off point. The waters are surprisingly clear, and they are teeming with an abundance of interesting and colourful fish and other sea life. There's definitely a reason why the Red Sea has earned such a positive reputation in the world of snorkelling; book a holiday there to find out for yourself - you definitely will not be disappointed.
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/the-best-places-to-go-snorkelling-1825686.html
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