Snorkeling looks simple, you float and you look, yet the way you prepare and move can decide whether your day supports a thriving reef or harms it. Snorkel smart choices begin before your toes touch the water and continue with every calm kick you make. Marcy Gendel Esq focuses on two things that make a big difference, what you put on your skin and how you move your fins. Along the way you will find clear etiquette and a short gear list that you will actually use rather than haul around and forget.
Start with the water itself and your role as a visitor. Coral reefs are living cities. A careless touch can break decades of growth. A cloud of kicked up sand can smother polyps and block the sunlight that fuels their symbiotic algae. Good etiquette keeps your hands off the reef and keeps your body horizontal and buoyant above it. Float like a relaxed starfish and you will already be ahead of the curve.
Sunscreen is the next big lever you can pull. Many common formulas wash off in the first minutes of your swim and can accumulate in small coves and shallow lagoons. Certain chemical filters have been linked in lab and field studies to stress responses in corals and other marine life. You can make a safer choice without sacrificing skin protection by following a few simple rules. Choose mineral based active ingredients, look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that is non nano and uncoated in a way that avoids harmful additives. Check that the label says broad spectrum and SPF 30 or higher. Water resistance matters as well, sixty to eighty minutes is a useful mark. Avoid spray formats since they waste product into the air and can drift into sand and tide pools. Apply at least fifteen minutes before entering the water, use the two finger rule on face and neck, and cover ears and the back of the hands. Reapply after toweling off or after a long session in the sea.
Even better, combine sunscreen with clothing so you can use less lotion overall. A long sleeve rash guard with a high neck and a pair of lightweight swim leggings shield most of your skin and stay protective while you swim. Look for UPF ratings of fifty or more, flat lock seams for comfort, and a snug fit that does not flap. A brimmed hat with a chin strap and polarized sunglasses help during boat rides and beach time. This mix reduces your environmental footprint and also keeps your bag lighter.
Now to movement, gentle finning is both an art and a set of easy habits. The idea is to move your body like a fish that belongs in the water rather than a cyclist who fell in. Keep your legs mostly straight with a soft knee, point your toes, and make small kicks from the hips, slow and steady. Your fin tips should stay under the surface and should never slap the air. Imagine a narrow bubble tunnel behind your heels and keep your feet within that tunnel. Wide scissor kicks waste energy and churn the water, they also send your fin blades down toward the reef. Slow down and you will see more, burn less energy, and keep your fins away from coral heads and sea grass.
Buoyancy is your silent helper. A slightly inflated snorkel vest or a compact foam belt can let you float high without effort, which keeps your fins higher and your breathing calmer. If you are confident without added flotation, still take a few moments at the start to find neutral comfort. Exhale fully and feel where you settle, then adjust with a breath or two until you ride just below the surface. Calm buoyancy is safer and kinder to the reef because you do not need to scull with your hands or kick hard to stay up.
Hand placement matters more than you might think. Tuck your arms along your sides or clasp your hands together in front of your chest. Paddling with your palms stirs sediment and can push you into coral. You will look more relaxed on camera too, which never hurts.
Entry and exit are parts of etiquette as well. From a beach, walk out until the water is belly deep, face the horizon, and put your mask on before the snorkel so you avoid fogging. Duck forward into a float rather than standing and thrashing, and steer clear of shallow coral tables in the first few meters. From a boat, step down gently and settle before you start kicking. On exit, flip to a lazy back float to watch your fin tips and avoid scraping the ladder or rocks.
Wildlife respect is simple, keep distance and keep your hands to yourself. Never chase turtles or rays, since they waste energy escaping and may leave feeding or resting areas. If a curious fish approaches you, enjoy the moment, then give it space to pass. Never feed animals, since handouts can change behavior and create risk for you and for them.
Good gear is gear you use, not a pile of gadgets. Pick a low volume mask that fits your face without straps when you inhale lightly through your nose. A simple J snorkel or a snorkel with a one way purge valve keeps breathing easy. Choose fins that match your water plan, short travel fins are fine for gentle lagoons, full length fins with soft blades are better for mild currents. Add a defog solution or a dab of baby shampoo, a small mesh bag for wet storage, and a quick dry towel. If you burn easily or swim long, a thin flotation vest adds comfort. Skip knives, heavy boots, and bulky camera rigs unless you truly need them. Less clutter means fewer accidents and more focus on the reef.
A short pre water checklist keeps the day smooth. Check mask seal on dry skin, adjust straps so they sit flat, secure hair away from the skirt, place sunscreen on all exposed areas, put on rash guard and leggings, fit fins in the shallows rather than on loose stones, test snorkel angle before you swim off. Share a simple hand signal plan with your buddy, thumb and pinky for OK, flat hand slicing down for stop, pointed finger for look there. Agree on a return point and a time.
If you plan to take photos, remember the reef comes first. Trim your buoyancy until you can hover without sculling, shoot in short bursts, and never brace on coral to get closer. Better composition often comes from patience and angle rather than inches. Use a wrist lanyard so you do not drop your camera, and keep one ear on your breathing so you do not drift into shallow pockets.
After your swim, rinse your skin and gear with fresh water. Check your mask skirt and fin foot pockets for trapped sand, since grit can cause small tears. Store sunscreen and defog in a cool pouch out of the sun. Share a few observations with your buddy or with local staff, especially if you notice fishing line, anchor scars, or damaged mooring lines. Many operators welcome quick notes and can pass them to a local group.
Your choices ripple outward. A mineral-based sunscreen used correctly means clearer water for the next family. A gentle fin kick preserves a coral branch that will shelter fish for years. A light gear kit keeps your mind on the sea rather than on your straps. Snorkel smart with reef-safe protection and quiet technique, and you will leave the water with better photos, calmer muscles, and the satisfaction of knowing you were a good guest in a living home.
