Tips for snorkeling with children

These few simple steps will insure that children, and the entire family have a fun snorkeling experience. Snorkeling is a wonderful family activity.

Buy the children their own mask, self draining snorkel and possibly fins at a professional dive shop. Make sure the mask fits tight and does not leak. Otherwise they will be miserable and hate snorkeling, I have seen adults give up on snorkeling for that reason.
Practice either in a bathtub or swimming pool until they are very comfortable breathing and swimming around with their head looking down. They do not need to master diving under water until they are older.
If a child can swim, they really don't need a life jacket for snorkeling, sea water is very buoyant. An extra floating device is a must, such as a large ring tied to a cord for pulling along. This is ideal for resting on or fixing a leaky or foggy mask. Adults use it as much as children.
Use mask defogging drops, they really work.
Use sunscreen and wear a t-shirt when snorkeling, backs burn quite easily.
Snorkel in the morning, the earlier the better, when the sea is calmest.
Start with snorkeling sites that have easy access and make the first few snorkels short, so the child is not tired and wants more. If the child gets cold or scared, go back to shore. Take it slow.
Always stay together, offer the ring for resting at the first signs of and tiredness or problems. A very young child could rest their hand on a ring as they snorkel for extra security.
Pack lots of food, snorkeling makes everyone hungry, and a hungry child is a cranky child.
Rest, play and explore the shore between snorkels.
Mark the site where you enter the water with colorful beach towels laid out. Sometimes it is easy to become confused where you entered the water.
Take a plastic card with the guide to underwater fish, although they are a pain to carry around. Fish are fun to identify.
Make sure the entire family has beach shoes, snorkel sites are typically rocky and can cut up feet.

It won't take long and the whole family will love snorkeling.

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