| Snorkeling, one of the simplest of Hawaii's spectrum | | | | Hawaii. But the difference between a place at which |
| of ocean recreational activities could be the basis for | | | | you can snorkel and a place that's great for |
| a great family vacation in the islands! | | | | snorkeling can mean the difference between simply |
| As all of us look for creative ways to stretch our | | | | getting wet and getting extremely excited. Some |
| vacation budgets, a closer look at this simple, | | | | areas might offer an abundance of coral and all of |
| inexpensive activity can provide for a vacation with | | | | the creatures that thrive in such an environment |
| memories comparable to anything your family's | | | | while other areas might be noted for sharp drops |
| experienced together! Unlike scuba diving, snorkeling | | | | that give the feeling of being suspended over a cliff. |
| offers the silence for you to hear sounds emitted by | | | | There are snorkeling sites that are noted for turtles |
| fish, crustacea, and the relaxing sound of sand | | | | and dolphins that frequent the area and wildlife |
| rubbing against sand as the upper layers move with | | | | sanctuaries where fish go about their business almost |
| the wave action. | | | | oblivious to their two-legged visitors! Read up on the |
| Prerequisites: | | | | popular snorkeling spots and carefully choose the |
| Needless to say, you need to be able to swim to go | | | | spots you'll explore. You'll be rewarded with |
| snorkeling. That being said, the level of your aquatic | | | | experiences that will be well worth remembering for |
| ability will determine the level of snorkeling you're able | | | | every one in the family. |
| to pursue. Considering that snorkeling can range from | | | | Visiting the Honolulu Aquarium is another way to |
| drifting on the surface in knee-deep water to | | | | preface your snorkeling adventures, as would be trips |
| descending beyond depths of sixty feet or more, | | | | to any of the local fish markets! In both cases, you'll |
| snorkeling offers a range of choices from the most | | | | discover the beautiful and abundant ocean life that |
| basic ocean experience to the exhilarating sport of | | | | awaits you in the islands' near shore waters. |
| free-diving. | | | | The Snorkeling Trip: |
| The equipment list is simple. A mask, snorkel, and a | | | | You've read up on what to look for and have chosen |
| pair of fins are all you'd need to embark on a series | | | | the spots you'd like to explore. Try to coincide your |
| of in-water field trips to different Hawaii beaches | | | | snorkeling during the lower tides, preferably in the |
| each with it's own unique charm. Available in complete | | | | morning hours. During the lower tides, the decreased |
| sets for under fifty dollars (there are less expensive | | | | wave action causes fewer disturbances in the water |
| sets that will probably be less comfortable or | | | | making for better visibility. Be cautious going out on |
| effective) and going up in price as the quality | | | | the three days following a new moon as those days |
| increases, snorkeling equipment comes in a range of | | | | bring blooms of stinging box jellyfish to certain areas. |
| style and quality commensurate with the immense | | | | Additionally, avoid going out in areas exposed to |
| popularity of the activity. And it's important to | | | | onshore winds as such shores often see Portuguese |
| distinguish between snorkeling and scuba equipment, | | | | men-o-war, another stinging citizen of Hawaii's near |
| as the associated masks, fins, and snorkels for each | | | | shore waters. |
| are quite different as any half-knowledgeable sales | | | | Before taking to the water, project a path that you |
| person could point out for you. | | | | intend to traverse while snorkeling and remember for |
| Underwater disposable cameras (and even some | | | | every foot you travel outward, you'll have to swim |
| waterproof point-and-shoot ones!) are a great | | | | back with a bit more fatigue than when you started. |
| investment that will add to the snorkeling experience. | | | | Plan your trip for the weakest swimmer in the group |
| We all know that half the fun of any adventure is | | | | so to assure a level of comfort throughout. You'll be |
| the opportunity to re-visit pictures of the event and | | | | surprised at how much there is to see and explore |
| some great underwater shots will probably be among | | | | close to the shore! To give yourself the best visibility, |
| your most treasured souvenirs or a great vacation in | | | | rubbing saliva, some tobacco, or the bright brown |
| Hawaii! | | | | seaweed in your mask will keep your mask from |
| While quite safe when the necessary precautions are | | | | fogging. |
| observed, snorkeling is not without risk as is any | | | | While snorkeling, be sure to look up at the shore and |
| water sport. Exposure to coral bottoms, currents, | | | | reckon your position. The relative ease of snorkeling |
| and creatures who's natural protection or instincts | | | | and the ability to literally drift for hours without lifting |
| can pose considerable threats to us humans are also | | | | your head out of the water can put you into some |
| inherent risks that while generally not experienced do | | | | situations that could be embarrassing (like drifting into |
| exist. Taking the time to seek out sites with | | | | a group of waders) or downright dangerous like |
| lifeguards and consulting with them on the area's risk | | | | drifting out to sea or losing sight of your companions! |
| factors and highlights for snorkeling will go a long way | | | | After getting used to the equipment and developing |
| in allowing you to enjoy the snorkeling experience. | | | | a good level of comfort in the water, you might |
| Education: | | | | even want to try your hand at spearfishing for fish |
| Just as you'd read up on any new area or destination | | | | you've seen in the local fish markets! In any case, |
| you'd be visiting, time invested learning about places | | | | snorkeling will provide more than a day of fun but |
| at which you'll be able to snorkel while staying in | | | | rather a series trips that can significantly highlight |
| Hawaii can make the difference between a one-time | | | | your time in Hawaii at a fraction of the cost of a |
| beach excursion with no one voting for a second trip | | | | couple of "touristy" activities. |
| versus a family activity that will have you all waking | | | | And take care of your snorkeling gear while you're |
| up each day looking forward to the next adventure. | | | | here, being sure to wash after each use and store |
| Books on Hawaiian reef fish (the operative word | | | | out of the sun. You might find that upon returning |
| here being "reef" to limit the fish to those you're | | | | home there are also opportunities, albeit different, to |
| likely to encounter rather than those game fish you'd | | | | pursue your newly discovered recreational sport... like |
| only come across in open ocean) and ocean animals | | | | the recent feature I saw of a group of snorkelers |
| would go far in piquing the interest of every family | | | | drifting down a slow stream in Florida! |
| member by allowing each to develop both | | | | After a week of snorkeling, chances are you and |
| expectations and anticipation... key ingredients to any | | | | your family will feel like seasoned island |
| exploratory endeavor! | | | | beachcombers with the pleasant realization of how |
| Surrounded by water, it would hardly seem important | | | | little you've spent for your ocean eco-adventure here |
| to also get a book on where to snorkel while in | | | | in Hawaii! |