Snorkelling With Kids | Tips & Gear For Families

How To Snorkel With Your Kids Safely – What you need to know

Snorkelling with kids is a great way for families to discover the underwater world, combining adventure, education, and, most importantly, fun!

Snorkels and masks are standard inclusions in our packing list, as snorkelling is our number one go-to activity whenever we are near the sea. Our kids love the freedom to explore underwater as much as they do on top.

Whether exploring coral reefs, wrecks or observing colourful fish in shallow waters, you’re assured of a memorable family experience. Here are our tips and advice to help you introduce your kids to snorkelling.

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Snorkelling With Kids | Tips And Gear

Snorkelling with kids is simple but requires planning to ensure everyone stays safe and has a great time. While snorkelling can be a cheap activity follow these tips and advice for a successful family adventure.

1. Choose A Safe Snorkelling Location

Selecting the right snorkelling spot can make all the difference when snorkelling with kids. You’ll want to find locations with calm, shallow, clear water and something interesting for children to spot to keep them engaged.

Protected bays, lagoons, or beaches with shallow water are ideal for beginners. They have fewer currents and clearer visibility, making exploring easier and safer for kids.

Some children might feel more in control snorkelling from the shore rather than jumping into deeper water from a boat as they can see an easy way in and out of the water.

2. Invest in Essential Kid-Friendly Gear

Snorkelling doesn’t require much kit for a safe and enjoyable experience for the whole family. We feel purchasing quality gear designed for children is a must

✅ Mask: A well-fitting mask with a secure seal to the face is essential. We recommend adding a colourful neoprene strap for comfort (no tangled hair) and extra visibility.

✅ Snorkel: A dry-top snorkel is best for kids as water is prevented from entering the tube if they dip too low or a wave splashes over.

✅ Fins: Lightweight, comfortable fitted fins can help kids move through the water more efficiently. Young children may find them challenging, but they are great for older kids and teens.

✅ Flotation Devices: Snorkelling vests or pool noodles provide buoyancy when snorkelling. Kids and adults may have more confidence to explore using a float.

✅ Wetsuits or Rash Guards: These offer protection from the sun and scrapes, provide kids warmth in cooler water and make snorkellers easier to identify.

3. Practice Makes Perfect

Before entering open water, practice snorkelling together as a family in a pool, bathtub or even on dry land where you have greater control. Kids may find snorkelling equipment hard to use or fear going into the ocean.

Our kids adapted quickly but some may need slow and unrushed practice to get comfortable with snorkelling gear and learn new skills like how to breathe through a snorkel.

Skills to practice: putting on and off a mask with a good seal, breathing through a snorkel in water, clearing their mask and snorkel of water, floating on water with their face submerged wearing the mask and snorkel and essential safety skills.

4. Focus on Safety

Safety is a priority when snorkelling with kids, regardless of age and experience. Children may forget safe snorkelling practices when excited or scared, so be sure to revisit the essentials regularly.

• Children should know not to snorkel alone but always be supervised closely in the water with a buddy.
• Wearing a brightly-coloured flotation device and clothing can help children be spotted more easily.
• When deciding where to snorkel consider the local weather conditions. Avoid snorkelling in rough seas, strong currents, or areas with boat traffic. Speak with locals if you are unsure of the destination.
• Have someone on land or in a boat that knows where you and your family are snorkelling.
• Children should know coral is sharp, sea life is not safe to touch and what to do if they can not see their buddy.

5. Make Snorkelling Fun For Kids

Kids love an adventure, so turn snorkelling into a new fun family experience.

Play Games, challenge kids to spot specific fish, take snorkelling photos and learn about the different species together post-snorkelling.

Let children lead the way and explore at their own pace with support. Some may need to go slower than others or for snorkelling sessions to be kept short.

Making snorkelling fun from the start is great for beginners to adjust to the open water and for ensuring the family adventures continue.

6. Work On Common Fears

Some kids will be excited while others will feel nervous about snorkelling even if its not their first time. Whether they are scared, uncomfortable or you are finding things too stressful, be supportive or take a break.

Addressing their concerns calmly can help ease their fears. Giving beginners ample time to feel comfortable with their gear may help.

Snorkelling near or with other children and families can help build confidence and increase joy.

Common snorkelling concerns with kids include water in the mask or snorkel (purchase quality kit with a good seal and practice); fear of breathing through a snorkel (practice before snorkelling in the sea); being in open water with fish (take it slowly and use a floatation device); choppy water (find a calm, clear spot).

7. Post-Snorkelling Tips

When the fun of a snorkelling session is over encourage kids to take responsibility for rinsing the saltwater off gear to prevent damage.

Snorkelling is hard work for kids, ensure your family hydrates and refuels while resting.

This is the best time to start sharing what you’ve seen while snorkelling through conversation and captured photos. Repeated positive discussions over time will leave kids ready to repeat a snorkelling adventure.

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When Can Kids Snorkel?

While families can snorkel with kids from a young age there are things to do to prepare for a fun and safe experience. Snorkelling is safest once a child can swim with a ratio of one adult to one kid, probably no earlier than 2 years old.

Young children may tire quickly, so families need to rest and refuel often before doing more snorkelling when ready.

In our experience with three children snorkelling off in different directions, kids must understand how to snorkel/swim before considering snorkelling. Be selective of the location (even if you are not all beginners), wear bright colours for easy recognition and practice water safety.

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Kid-Friendly Snorkelling Destinations

There are endless destinations for snorkelling with kids around the world. While swimming pools offer great practice it is best to find protected bays or lagoons with calm, shallow warm water and a variety of fish.

Clear visibility with active underwater activity is perfect for kids to explore. Our kids enjoy reef snorkelling where there are a variety of unusual, colourful creatures to spot. They are also keen to do wreck dives.

Here are a few kid-friendly snorkelling destinations our family recommend:

• Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii: A protected marine area with calm, shallow, warm waters perfect for beginners and families.
• Great Barrier Reef, Australia: A bucket-list destination to snorkel with sea life.
• Komodo National Park, Indonesia: Known for its shallow reefs and calm waters, it’s a great destination for young snorkellers, with the chance of spotting manta rays.
• Mirissa, Sri Lanka: Perfect from the shore with a high chance of swimming alongside sea turtles.

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Snorkelling With Kids | FAQs

With confidence and practice, snorkelling could be your next family activity.

Final Thoughts | Snorkelling With Kids

Snorkelling with kids can be the perfect family activity for children of all ages. Learning to snorkel confidently may take a little time, especially for young children, and you should wait until they are comfortable with the snorkelling gear and surroundings before exploring any distance from shore.

Making safety a priority will ensure everyone can experience the joy of snorkelling, and exploring the spectacular underwater world.