Are you coming to my island on vacation? There are three things I always recommend a first-time visitor do. First, take an air tour. Second, go to a luau. Finally, I advise people of all ages to get in the water and snorkel. The magic of “one-one-one, experiencing the world through the eyes of fishes” of swimming in those warm lagoons surrounded by clouds of tropical fish is an amazing, refreshing and restorative activity. experience time and time again through the years much more than many of his other travel experiences. Part I of this series is about snorkel gear; Part II of this series will discuss Snorkeling Technique and Part III will cover Snorkeling Etiquette; Part V of the series covers snorkeling safety and Part VI will cover snorkeling in the Big Island Wilderness.
Now, let’s talk for a minute about snorkeling safety.
First of all, as with all water sports, never turn your back on the ocean. Just as important, never snorkel alone; Never move more than 20 feet from your partner. Memorize the color of your buddy’s mask and snorkel… so you’ll recognize him from a distance in the water. Hawaiian lifeguards are full-time trained professionals; listen to their advice, obey posted warnings, always pay attention to currents, surf conditions and waves over rocks. Plan your entry and exit before you get wet; try to get in and out of the sandy areas.
You and your partner should agree on a plan for where you will enter and exit the water, what part of the bay you will explore, and how long you plan to be out. Hawaii’s open ocean environment is more physically demanding than many suspect, especially due to its seductive, yet fake and calm appearance, so don’t overestimate your abilities, plan conservatively, err on the side of safety. Do not change this plan, once you are in the water, except to make it shorter and safer.
Don’t face the waves head-on, don’t try to jump over them, and don’t turn your back on them; Duck under the waves before they reach you.
All of Hawaii’s beaches and bays are directly connected to the ocean, making them more subject to open ocean winds and currents than many mainlanders are used to. Never snorkel on windy days. Offshore winds can unexpectedly blow you out to sea or make it difficult to swim back, and offshore breezes pack extra water, high up on the beach, creating nasty rip currents as it flows back out into the ocean. . Land breezes also bring jellyfish and warships.
If you get caught in a current, don’t panic; do not swim against the current, but rather swim diagonally across it towards the shore. Keep going, you’ll make it.
Stick your head out of the water frequently to check that your partner is within 20 feet of you and to keep yourself oriented in relation to your entry and exit locations. Stay Alert: It’s easy to lose track of time, get carried away further than you thought by a current you didn’t even notice, step out of your comfort zone, row lazily away from your partner, accidentally stray into a dangerous area. It’s easy to get too tired; bring your partner and swim BEFORE you feel tired, thirsty, sunburned; BEFORE the wind picks up or the swell forms. So stay focused, stay oriented, always know where you are, where your partner is.
Sunscreen washed off the body contaminates the water and is a major factor in the death of corals; In Hawaii we recommend wearing a T-shirt and baseball cap to avoid sunburn while in the water, waiting until you’re out of the ocean and rinsing off to apply sunscreen.
Many things in the ocean around Hawaii sting, most commonly sea urchins; avoid them, do not touch or step on them. White vinegar kills sea urchin stings from embedded spines and, if applied regularly, helps dissolve the spine. Other home remedies for sea urchin, jellyfish, and other stings include the application of moistened tobacco, hydrogen peroxide, or urine (the latter can be difficult to self-administer and will quickly let you know who your real friends are). Like wasp stings, most sea creature stings are not medically dangerous, just a painful nuisance, but it’s best to be prepared with whatever remedy you choose in your beach kit. Some jellyfish stings and all manna stings are life-threatening and should be treated at the nearest hospital emergency department.
This shouldn’t even be mentioned, but of course, if you’ve been drinking, even a little, you shouldn’t snorkel. It’s best to snorkel between 9am and noon, anyway, so sobriety shouldn’t even be an issue. Correct; You’re in Hawaii on vacation- I almost forgot.
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, immersion in salt water is very dehydrating and just swimming around you have worked more and sweated more than you think. Be kind to your skin and rinse yourself and your gear with fresh water immediately after you get out of the ocean and remember to apply sunscreen and wear your sunglasses. Do not overestimate your skin’s tolerance to the sun on the beach; The Hawaiian sun is fierce and a nasty sunburn is distressingly easy to acquire and will absolutely ruin your vacation. Now might be a good time to come in and freshen up, get some rest, you’re on vacation, you know?
Those are some of the technique, etiquette and safety tips to keep in mind…remember to follow any advice the lifeguards give you, they are seasoned professionals who know their beach intimately; obey posted rules and watch out for tides and currents. Most of all, buy a cheap $10 disposable underwater camera, get in the water, and enjoy…those fish won’t photograph themselves, you know!