Don a mask and fins and slip into the waters of the amazing beaches in Paros and Antiparos!
What is snorkeling?
If you have ever gone snorkeling, you will probably agree that it is a very relaxing activity, as the ocean bottom can be rich in underwater life and rock formations. Snorkeling is a recreational activity, very popular in the Greek islands and particularly in the Cyclades. The primary appeal is the opportunity to observe underwater life in a natural setting without the complicated equipment and training required for scuba diving. Snorkeling appeals to all ages because of how little effort there is and the typical equipment is: a snorkel, a diving mask, fins, a wetsuit and of course the underwater camera!
6 Easy Tips on How to Snorkel
Snorkeling is a tool used to access one of nature’s most marvelous realms, and the ocean remains one of the best arenas for exercising our sense of discovery, as well as our bodies. The key to successful snorkeling is relaxation in the water. Try not to overanalyze. Practice will improve your skills and comfort in the water.
Tip 1: Your mask
Be sure the mask fits your face. Hold the snorkel mask up to your face clearing the strap from your face. Breathe in through your nose. The mask should seal perfectly and stay on, without holding it, for as long as you breathe in. If any air leaks in, water will also, so keep all hair out of the seal. The strap should only fit snugly at the widest part of your head, towards the top of the back of your head. If it’s at the base of your skull, water may seep in. If water does start seeping in while snorkeling, reach back and see if your strap has slipped down. Don’t tighten the strap beyond “snug,” being too tight causes leaking, as the seal can be broken. The pressure of the water will help seal the mask to your face. The snorkel should rest in front of your ear. Masks should remain reasonably dry on the inside, but they can accidentally fill with water. This usually happens when the strap has slipped down too far. A flooded mask can be easily cleared by raising the head, pulling the lower edge away from the mouth, and simply letting the water drain out. I like to leave a little water in my mask, where it can be swished around for an instant defog.
Tip 2: Your fins
Choose fins that are snug but not too tight. If they hurt or curl your toes especially, you may develop cramps while snorkeling. If they slip off your heels, they’re too big. Better a little big than too small. Remember they will slip on easier when your feet are wet. To use your fins correctly, kick from the hip and keep your knees and ankles relaxed to prevent your leg muscles from cramping. Fins remain below the water line, always. AVOID using a bicycling type kick, but instead think of your fin (especially the tip) as a beautiful flowing mermaid tail. Once you are proficient in this skill, you will notice that your fins propel you through the water. You will hardly need to use your arms and can let them rest easily at your side, or fold your hands over your lower back. Point your toes in the opposite direction from where you want to travel.
Tip 3: Your snorkel
A burst of air (similar to a dolphin blow, or saying the word “two”) should clear a flooded snorkel, but breathe in cautiously afterwards just to make sure. If you’re out of air, then simply remove the snorkel from the mouth to breath. It’s helpful to practice deliberately flooding and clearing both mask and snorkel to calmly learn these techniques.
Tip 4: Defog
No point going through all the trouble if you can’t see anything. Products made for defogging seem to work OK (like the gel products) but anything from spit, the inside of a potato (!) help.
Tip 5: Practice Breathing
Practice breathing through the snorkel with your head out of the water before the real thing. Put the mask on your head (wear your strap slightly high on the back of your head and not too tight!), suck it into your face, breathe through the tube (put the mouthpiece all the way in your mouth and close your lips around it). Don’t bite, just rest your teeth on the bite thingies – or your jaw will get really sore. When ready, practice calmly floating in the face down and horizontal position. Having something (scenery, coral, fish, turtles, dolphins, or even your fingertips waving) to focus on while snorkeling, helps by distracting you from overanalyzing (worse as we get older).
Tip 6: Know Your Limitations
Knowing your personal limitations is a vital skill often overlooked when snorkeling. Recognize them and remain alert to them. There is no good reason to push your limits. They will change with each snorkeling opportunity presented. Factors to consider are water temperature, surge, currents, and visibility. A relaxed snorkeler gets more pleasure out of snorkeling and a greater appreciation of the environment.
Snorkeling in Paros & Antiparos with Paros Voyages!
We offer a number of options for snorkeling at different spots. There is a variety of beautiful beaches in Paros and Antiparos suitable for touring that make it an ideal destination for snorkeling vacations in Greece. Both the seabed as well as the rocky topography of the islands makes them a paradise on earth. Paros and Antiparos offer beautiful underwater scenery with lots of different fish. If you are lucky perhaps you’ll see a turtle! We have our own snorkeling and diving equipment: masks, flippers, snorkels, diving shoes, cameras, weight belts, etc. The excursions are suitable for both adults and children. If you are not an experienced swimmer make sure that you snorkel with company and stay close to the shore. Also, be on the lookout for speed boats. They are plenty of speed boats in Greece, and they always seem to come dangerously close to the shore. As a rule of thumb, try always to swim as close to the rocks as possible. The Paros Voyages Team taking in consideration all the above can offer you the best conditions for snorkeling in Paros and Antiparos!!
Join us this summer for snorkeling vacations!
