The basics of snorkelling

snorkelling enables you to breathe with your face under the water, making it possible to really appreciate the beauty of underwater creatures and their habitat. It involves wearing a transparent mask over your eyes and nose, and breathing through a snorkel (a plastic or rubber tube) – it’s a strange sensation at first but most people quickly get used to it with a bit of practice.

You will also need to master the knack of clearing your mask and snorkel, as small amounts of water may splash in through the open end of the snorkel or leak into the mask. Both are easy to deal with, and some masks and snorkels come with built-in valves to make the process even easier.

When you learn to snorkel you will also learn to use snorkelling fins to propel yourself through the water. The fins increase your speed, enabling you to move faster, for longer, without getting as tired. The basic flutter kick is easy to learn.

What snorkelling equipment do you need to get started?When you first buy snorkelling equipment, the  essential gear includes: