For the record, I’m terrified of the sea. I can’t swim very well and something about the lack of a bottom in deep sea freaks the hell out of me. Perhaps my fear of heights is a contributing factor. As much as I love marine animals, I prefer not to be in the water with them. As such, I have never had the slightest inclination to snorkel or dive. Asking me to jump off a jetty/boat and into deep water is akin to asking me to bungee jump off a cliff.
When I first got the idea of visiting Maldives however, I knew I could not let the whole holiday go by without making an attempt. To get an idea of what it’s like, I actually made a trip down a water theme park beforehand, where there is a snorkelling tank for visitors. That experience did not endear me to snorkelling. My goggles fogged up and the masses of darting fish scared me.
So why is Maldives so great? It’s SHALLOW. Technically, we aren’t supposed to stand on the reefs as we will damage it, but the thought that I could if I needed to brought me immeasurable comfort. Tons of fishes could be viewed in chest-high waters, hence there was no need to ever venture into deeper depths. The water is also relatively calm. For a weak swimmer, that means less effort spent on fighting waves.
I had such a great time I snorkelled every day I was there.
Tips for the first time snorkeller (This is based on my own experience and in no way constitutes professional advice):
- Wear a life jacket.
- Get anti-fogging spray for your goggles.
- Start slow. It takes awhile to get used to breathing through the tube.
- Don’t venture too far on your first attempt. You’ll be surprised by how tiring snorkelling is. An hour was more than enough for me each time.
- Try not to raise your head over the water too much. You may end up with a crick in your neck.
- Snorkel with a partner who has more experience and who is a stronger swimmer. The first time can be overwhelming and it helps to have someone who knows when NOT to panic. He/She can also “tow” you back if you suddenly feel spent. 🙂
- Be aware of unusual fish behaviour. Most fishes scurry away at your approach. One young fish stared me down and almost slapped me in the face when a wave pushed it towards me. We found out after that it was a trigger.
- Leave the photo-taking to your partner the first time around. Getting into the snorkelling groove will require all your focus.
- Lastly, relax!
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