Grab your Snorkel and Fins and hit the best waters in the World!

Consider giving snorkeling a try.

The basics are very simple and just about anyone can learn it. In good conditions even non-swimmers can participate.

The waters of Australia are known for their clearness, as clear as a well maintained swimming pool.

The Visibility is Excellent

The Great Barrier Reef of the the coast of Cairns is well known for having the best visibility on the reef

Even reefs that are ten metres deep are in the range of sight for a snorkeler at the surface.

The Whitsunday islands are good examples of the accessibility of reefs for snorkeling. Each of the 74 islands in the Whitsunday group has a fringe reef.

On most islands you can walk from the beach into the water and the reefs are a short swim away.

In other parts of the Country, reefs are as easy to get to or may be just a short boat ride away.

Many scuba dive operators also offer snorkeling options, even on some of the live aboard boats.

This allows the snorkeler to visit the same reefs as a diver.

Granted they are not five or ten metres below on the reef but they do have a wonderful view and an outstanding experience.

As we mentioned the basics are very simple to learn.

If you can float in a swimming pool with your face in the water and not panic, then you can learn. It is almost that simple.

Snorkeling uses three pieces of equipment:

A face mask, the snorkel, fins

The mask covers your eyes and nose, it provides an airspace to help you see clearly and to keep you from breathing water through your nose.

There is a strap that goes across the back of your head to hold the mask in place.

The strap is mostly to position the mask, a slight in hail will seal the mask and a vacuum like pressure will keep it in place.

Attached to the mask strap with a small rubber keeper is the snorkel. This is a ½ to 1 inch diameter tube with one end open and the other with a curved section and a mouth piece.

The mouth piece is designed to be held lightly with the teeth and the mouth piece and the lips forms a seal against the water.

With the open end above the water, one simply make a puff and then breathes in slowly.

The puff will force any water that got into the tube out.

Fins for snorkelers are generally full footed, you slide your foot into them like putting on a pair of loafers.

Scuba divers generally use fins that have a strap and they wear a pair of boots.

Many operators use snorkel noodles   The purpose of the noodle is to  add buoyancy when you need it. Poor swimmers and beginners will normally use one that will keep them floating at the surface.

Believe it or not that is how easy it is to snorkel.

Snorkel Australia there are loads of great opportunities around any of the coast of Australia, drop in and try some snorkeling.