Aside from diving, snorkeling is also a popular activity in a tropical paradise like Puerto Galera.  Famous for its marine life and rock formations, Puerto Galera boasts several snorkeling sites with diverse aquatic ecosystems. Snorkeling is perfect for those who are not yet ready to dive but would like to encounter Puerto Galera’s amazing marine life.  Snorkeling, which is leisure more than a sport, does not require specific training. However, safety precautions should still be considered when snorkeling.

Be wary of Jet skis and Speedboats

When you are snorkeling, you are submerged into the water and sometimes you’re not aware that there are crafts around the area. It is advisable for you to wear bright suits so you can be easily spotted.

Drink Lots of H2O

Drink lots of water especially if you plan to snorkel for several hours. Dehydration may cause cramps. Fill up your cooler with water bottles and put it on the boat so you can drink in between snorkels.

Get a Comfortable Snorkeling Gear

Unlike in diving, you will only need fins, mask, and a snorkel for snorkeling. Make sure that the strap of the mask is at the widest part of your head and that the fins are snug but not too tight. Comfort and visibility are important factors when choosing a mask. It would be better if the mask has an anti-fog feature so things would be more visible.

Don’t Snorkel Alone

No matter how confident you are in snorkeling, it is still advisable to snorkel with a buddy. Don’t panic because this will cause hyperventilation or the state of breathing faster.  Hyperventilation reduces the levels of carbon dioxide in your body and thus, will cause you to faint or black out.

Relax When Snorkeling

Do not keep on kicking because this will only make you use up your energy. Keep your ankles relaxed to avoid cramping.

Wear Waterproof Sunscreen

Do not forget to put on waterproof sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. The sun can be scorching hot especially when you’re out of the water.  Put sunscreen even on a cloudy day since the UV rays can still penetrate the thickest clouds. Reapply in between snorkels.

Don’t Disturb the Marine Life

Be careful when snorkeling. Don’t step on the corals since they are fragile and can be very sharp. Also, it will take several years for a broken coral to grow back. Be careful not to step on sea urchins which have sharp spines. Don’t feed the marine life bread, chips, or other non-fish food because it’s not part of their diet.  Do not touch the marine life since you would not know what they are capable of doing.  Remember that you are just a visitor so learn to respect their territory.

Equalize your ears

If you begin feeling pressure in your ears, equalize them by holding your nose gently and blowing them.

It is fun to snorkel in a tropical place like Puerto Galera, where there is warm water and many interesting things to see. By just snorkeling, you are able to observe and marvel on the underwater life without schooling or complicated equipment.