Go snorkelling this summer

Anitha Bennett

Fortuitously India has a 7,516 km coastline offering picturesque tropical beaches and exquisite coral and marine life. So if your family is mesmerised by multi-coloured corals and bright coloured fish that live deep under, you needn’t go far. India offers many exotic snorkelling destinations. Among the most popular are Goa, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Snorkelling is an enjoyable family activity with children above six allowed to snorkel under adult supervision in most destinations. Though knowledge of basic swimming is preferable, there are many non-swimmers who can snorkel with ease in shallow ocean waters. Moreover all locations rent snorkelling gear and offer crash courses by experts.

Snorkelling equipment

Mask. A good quality mask with lens that don’t fog up enables snorkelers to see underwater life clearly.
Snorkel. A dry snorkel is ideal as it has a valve that ‘shuts off ’ the snorkel top when submerged and automatically ‘opens up’ when you are overwater.
Fins/flippers. For deep diving and fast swimming, lightweight, flexible flippers are good. They also protect you from the jagged coral underwater.
Wetsuit. It keeps the body warm under the sea. But a swimsuit works just fine in Indian tropical waters.

Precautions

Before going snorkelling, ensure you are physically fit and especially check that blood pressure levels are normal to avoid dizziness underwater.
Ask your instructor about possible dangers in that part of the ocean. The dangers could range from protruding coral reefs to jelly fish.
Always better to snorkel in a group, especially if it is your first time.

Best snorkelling locations

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Havelock Island

Neil Island, Cique Island

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

Lakshadweep

Kadmat Island, Bangaram Island

Goa

Grande Island

Davy Jones, Suzy’s Wreck

Tunnel Shelter Cove, Locker Sail Rock

Training centres