Yes you can snorkel with a floatation device on but you wont be able to dive down to look at things closer as by design the device will try to keep you on the surface. As far as will the trips have them well I afraid you have to ask some operations will and some wont depending on where you are. You say you are not a confident swimmer so it will be best to ask about local conditions ie curent ans swell before you go. Most trips will be to area's that are OK so that shouldn't be a problem. Also think about sun protection if you are in the water you wont feel the suns heat so you can get badly burnt so wear a Tshirt and sun block on exposed skin.You say you go to exotic locations so if you decide to snorkle by your self off the edge of the reef (best place to see fish) then you MUST check the conditions first for example in the Maldive's in certain aera's you will experience some big currents.

Every boat should have equipment for those who want to snorkel, including bouyancy jackets. However, instead of wearing something that bulky perhaps you could borrow a short wetsuit as these keep you amazingly bouyant without restricting your movement. Might take a bit of courage to get in with the wetsuit on without thinking you're going to sink, but trust me they do work!

Well done you for learning to swim as well. I had a bad experience when I was young at a local swimming baths yet I learnt to dive about 3 years ago - it's different being under the water than swimming on the surface, but you'll have to really dig deep for courage to do this.

Good luck to you for your snorkelling and the fish will take your mind off the fact you're in the water anyway.

Thanks Colinj, That was helpful. We are actually considering the Maldives or Seychelles for next year.I don't think you can go to these destinations and not experience the beautiful coloured marine life that everyone talks about. We are going to Dubai in June and Mexico in November, so I think I will use my time there to improve my swimming and gain more confidence. I am determined I will snorkel at some point! Thanks for the info and any more tips would be greatly appreciated. Cheers.

Hi Maryjo

I tried snorkelling for the first time last summer, in Menorca, and thoroughly enjoyed it!

My Daughter also took to it very quickly, we were both keen to try it as we're going to the Red Sea this summer

Have a look at this link, it's in the Egypt forum but alot of it would apply to snorkelling anywhere

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=190

Philippa

Just found a website with lots of useful info....

http://www.bsacsnorkelling.co.uk/first/whatis.htm

Philippa

Pippy - you beat me to it - was just about to suggest the Egypt forum, loads of great help and info there on snorkeling.
Try it Maryjo you really will be amazed.
Heather

As a rescue diver and very keen snorkeller myself, I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't get in to the water on holiday as its one of the main reasons I go to exotic locations. The best advice I can give you regarding snorkelling is take your time and get used to the equipment and breathing with your head in water. I see too many people going out of their depth too soon and not getting used to the equipment first. Snorkelling in the sea is all about confiidence. You don't have to be the stongest swimmer, but you need to have confidence in your own ability. But don't get overconfident and go out of your depth until you are ready.

It may sound strange, but I always get people to sit at home with their mask and snorkel on while they watch the TV or whatever so they can get used to wearing a mask and breathing through a snorkel. That way, you become acustomed to wearing the equipment. The next step is placing your head in water and breathing. This is where most people have problems as its un-natural. If you stay in shallow water with you feet on the bottom, and breath normally as you have done when trying the equipment at home, I've found this works. Once you are happy with that, lean forward and swim gently. With your lungs full you will float, as you exhail you will start to sink slowly. You will get used to this feeling as you get more experience. Try and keep plenty of air in your lungs and you'll be bouyant most of the time.

Equipment is also important. Don't bother with cheap snorkelling sets. The mask are acceptable providing it mask fits you ok, but the snorkels are normally substandard. I always advice snorkels with purge valves. A normal snorkel once filled with water takes a bit of lung power to clear, blast the water from. Ones with purge valves allow water to flow out of the bottom and clear much more easily. They are only a couple of quid more, well worth it. Depending on where you are, you may need some foot protection as rocks can be sharp and conceal marine life such as sea urchins etc. You don't want to damange the marine life or your foot!. A t-shirt is also useful so you don't burn your back.

Once you have your head in the water and you are relaxed, you'll be their for hours watching the fish!

Here's a few examples from my recent trip, I haven't got round to editing my dive video as yet:











Darren

Thank you Dazbo5 for all that great information and tips. Thanks to everyone else too. I appreciate it all. I am going to try to see if there are any books on snorkeling that might help me too. Who knows Dazbo5, I might be taking pictures just like yours. They are very good. Thanks all. cheers, Maryjo

I'd love to see the photo's if you do! These ones didn't come out as good as I was hoping, they are a little soft. My video turned out much better. Good luck with the snorkelling.

Darren

Maryjo, you can always get a "Boogie Board" and lay across it with your head under so long as you don't go too far out. You should be OK till you get more confident.

I went to Cuba 2 years ago with my mum and older brother. My mum is quite a good swimmer, but my brother isn't so strong at it, although we both had lessons as children. When we went snorkeling, I discarded my life jacket and went off, I loved every minute of it, there was a rope to keep hold of so you couldn't go missing. I went with the tour guide who took me to the deep waters, and I went to the bottom with him. It was great. When I got back, everyone was scared that I'd gone missing, and my mum and brother said they hated every minute of it, and went back in the boat after 5 minutes.

I'm going again this year, but my auntie (my mum's sister, who hates swimming as well) and uncle (auntie's husband who loves snorkeling) so I'll be snorkeling with my uncle, and the other 3 can sit at the beach and go red!

Some people like it, others hate it. It's a matter of preference. I do a lot of swimming in the gym (twice or three times a week) so love it when I am away, but the last time my brother swam a lot was a while ago.

Been the Red sea and loved it but don't like to go back to the same place twice, where else is as good for snorkeling?

MaryJo, I've never been a strong swimmer but now I love snorkling.
My hubby introduced me to it years ago in Mexico - I had a flotation jacket and he gently held my hand and lead me around. It was a fabulous experience.
Now, although I still can't dive down so well, I'm confident enough to be able to take in water through the snorkle and blow it out. If we are on a beach holiday, I always snorkle, often on my own.

Then 3 years ago I had my first diving experience! I was very nervous as truthfully I don't like my head underwater but it was something i'd always wanted to try. I had a one on one coach who showed me all the equipment and the basic signals. He stayed with me throughout and regulated the tank for me so I didn't have to worry about that. I've been diving twice since and after the intial 'weird' feeling it's great.

Above all practise makes perfect. Yes it feels very strange at first, especially the breathing but I'll tell you something the first time you look down and see the spectaular fish, rocks, coral etc. it's not something you'll not forget in a hurry.

debdeb,

Been the Red sea and loved it but don't like to go back to the same place twice, where else is as good for snorkeling?

Pretty much anywhere is good for snorkelling, I've never been anywhere where you can't find somewhere to have a nosey at. There are obviously some better place than others. Your problem now, is you've experienced some of the best snorkelling in the world, the Red Sea is about at good as it gets. Anywhere in the Caribbean is generally good, the Canaries can be interesting and the Greek Islands have a lot to offer. Just look out for resorts with habitat features along the beach and you can't go wrong.

If you enjoy snorkelling, why not try you hand at a bit of SCUBA? Its not as difficult as you might imagine and it takes snorkelling to a whole new level. This is just a taster of what you might see (you'll need a broadband connection to view these):

Lanzarote:


Turkey:


Dominican Republic:


St Lucia:


Cuba:


And a bit closer to home:


Darren

MaryJo, like you I am not a confident swimmer, but I do (now) like snorkelling - I found our local snorkelling club a great hel in building my confidence, giving advice, etc., - maybe you could try your local club & see what they say... there is a list here:
http://www.bsacsnorkelling.co.uk/training/branches.htm

Thanks doonmammer for the info. I checked it out but unfortunately there are none near where I stay. I may check my local newspaper to see if there are anyone near me who may do some kind of training. We are off to Seychelles in 6 weeks and I would love to try it there. The thought of going all that distance and not even getting the chance to snorkel seems mad. It really is all down to me not really having the confidance to go out and do it. After the initial experience, I probably would be fine, it is just taking those first steps that I am scared of, but I WILL do it. It may take a while and a lot of pursuasion though! Cheers,

Maryjo, if you are going to Seychelles you must get in the water & snorkel. I did not learn to swim untill 50yrs old! & now have snorkelled all over the world & still lots more places to go to. I am still not a confident swimmer & bought my own blow up snorkel life vest 10 years ago, worth it's weight in gold!!! gives me lots of confidence, you can just float & have a rest with it on, just watch out for currents, I found Maldives to be bad for those on the hotel organised trips. Cost of the life vest should be around £40 & your local dive shop can get you one. there is nothing quite like being in that water & looking down on a whole new world. I also have my own mask, snorkel & fins. do not forget to take some disposable uw cameras, i take loads & my photos are on webshots http://community.webshots.com/user/ericy102 not the best but give you an idea of what there is.

Hi Maryjo

If you are travelling to Dubai in June, the snorkelling along the coastline of Dubai isnt great, sea bed is pure sand, not enough rock to attract the marinelife, however, about a 90min ride from Dubai to the East coast of the Emirates, is a place called Fujeira, the snorkelling is excellent, head for a beach resort called 'Sandy beach hotel' wonderful beach & a little place called snoopy island just off the shore, well worth a day out from Dubai and great snorkelling, have fun.

Cheers