Why beards and full face snorkel masks are sometimes incompatible?

"When you’re using a full face snorkel mask – or any snorkel mask, for that matter -you need to ensure that there’s a proper watertight seal between your face and the mask. This seal is what prevents water from leaking into your mask, and pretty much the whole point of wearing a snorkel mask. If it’s not doing its job, then the snorkel mask is basically useless! Having a beard can sometimes get in the way of creating a proper seal. Those little hairs can creep in between the silicon lining and create little spaces where the water can seep in. This will not only ruin your snorkelling journey, but could also be dangerous if you can’t manage to fix the seal while out in open water."

Do Full Face Snorkel Masks Work With Beards?

"Full face snorkel mask or not, beards are just not a great idea when it comes to snorkelling. They get in the way of creating a proper watertight seal, leading to water leaking into your mask. This not only ruins the experience, but can also be dangerous. It all depends on the shape and size of your beard, and whether you’re willing to compromise a little for the sake of a damn good time. Things like trimming, using a greaser, and wearing a mask with a silicon seal can help to keep water out so you can rock your facial hair while also enjoying the joys of snorkelling."

How to snorkel with a beard?

"Here are some tips and tricks to help ensure that seal isn’t broken so you can enjoy snorkelling without having to lose the hair: 1. Shave the bit under your nose 2. Use a mask with a silicon seal over PVC 3. Give it a good trim 4. Use a grease 5. Lose it just for a bit"

The shape and size of beard matters when I using a full face snorkel mask?

The shape and size of your beard matters. Many people with a goatee or just a moustache will either not experience any issues, or be able to easily resolve them with a bit of vaseline to help with the sealing. If you’ve got quite a big large beard (think Hagrid from Harry Potter), you might have to give up on the idea of full face snorkelling. There’s just no way that the mask will be able to seal around your beard hairs.

All You Need to Know About Snorkelling While Pregnant

If you’re reading this and you’re pregnant – first of all, congratulations! Secondly, you may have received the news that scuba diving while pregnant is an absolute no-no. For ladies who love to explore the underwater magic, this can be a bit of a disappointing discovery. Can you snorkel while pregnant, though? Absolutely!

Snorkelling is a great alternative to diving, and you can enjoy this leisurely sport throughout your whole pregnancy. That said, there are a number of considerations and cautions you should take when snorkelling while pregnant. Just like anything else, risk factors might be increased due to having a little bun in the oven, but all it takes is a bit of awareness.

So expectant mothers, you don’t have to give up that dreamy underwater world just yet! Read on for everything you need to know about snorkelling while pregnant, from tips to considerations and advice.

Consider your fitness level

Snorkelling is rarely considered to be vigorous exercise, but it’s still worth looking at your fitness level before hitting the water. Have you snorkelled before? If not, be wary if you’ll be snorkelling for the first time while pregnant. It’s not that it’s dangerous, it just may be uncomfortable. In fact, a 2009 Brazilian study published in the journal ‘Reproductive Health’ concluded that water aerobics are completely safe during pregnancy, even amongst women who are not used to exercise.

Heading out on a snorkel tour?

If you’re lucky enough to be heading out on a snorkelling holiday while pregnant, you’ll likely be going on a boat tour that’ll take you out to the best snorkel spots. If this is the case, be aware that some snorkelling tour operators may not allow pregnant women to come along for the ride. This is mostly due to bumpy/wavy boat rides and will often depend on weather conditions an the current, but it’s still an important consideration to make before booking that tour.
Speak to the tour operator beforehand, let them know that you’re pregnant, and be aware that there may be a risk of slipping over/sudden movements while travelling on the boat.

Don’t hold your breath

While it might be tempting to freedive below the surface of the water to get a closer look at that beautiful coral, try to avoid holding your breath while snorkelling when pregnant. Your baby requires a steady and constant supply of oxygen, and holding your breath is never a good idea (or worth it).

It’s absolutely important to practice your breathing with the snorkel mask on before heading out from shore, and be confident that you can comfortably breathe through your snorkel without gasping for air. Another good tip is to use fins and a vest as it’ll make swimming less strenuous, meaning you’ll be needing less oxygen (and giving more of it to bub).

Avoid the heat

An elevated body temperature can be damaging to fetal development, especially in the first few months of a pregnancy. If you’re snorkelling out in warm weather (or just out in the sun), make sure you take plenty of breaks in the shade, stay well hydrated, and avoid snorkelling out in the sun during the hottest parts of the day.

It’s important to always be aware of your body temperature – and to be aware that you may not feel as warm when you’re immersed in water! The coolness of the water will make your skin feel colder, but you must be aware that your internal body temperature can still be elevated. Take plenty of breaks, drink lots of water, and stay in the shade in between.

4 tips for snorkelling while pregnant

1. Cover that belly

– If the thought of weird creatures, fishes, and sea life touching your belly freaks you out, then go for a one-piece swimming costume rather than snorkelling with a bikini on. At the very least you’ll be swimming comfortably and not thinking about what might stroke your visible belly.

2. Use your own equipment

– It may be worth purchasing your own snorkelling equipment when heading out on holiday, rather than hiring a pair. Communal snorkelling equipment should be properly disinfected before use, but there’s always the risk that it may not have been, and you just don’t want to take that chance while pregnant.

3. Remember: you’re pregnant

– Even if you’re a confident snorkeller who’s hit the same spots thousands of times, don’t fall in the trap of being overconfident while snorkelling. It’s always important to remember that pregnancy can sometimes make you feel more dizzy and disoriented than usual, so don’t try to push yourself too hard.

4. Look out

– Be aware of your surroundings at all times. A slip on a pebble or a step on a sea urchin may not be the worst thing in the world if you’re not pregnant, but could be seriously injurious if you are pregnant. Pay extra attention to where you’re stepping, watch your surroundings, and be twice as vigilant about the usual snorkelling precautions.

Snorkelling can be one seriously leisurely exercise. If you’re not heading out on a choppy boat ride or swimming in rough waters or out in the harsh sun, you could actually be doing a lot of good for your body. Relaxing along the surface and watching fish float by can be a very stress-relieving experience, and you know how much good that can do while pregnant! In fact, you might find that floating in the water with a floatie and fins is even more comfortable than laying around on the couch!