Who Can Go Snorkelling and Who Shouldn't Go Snorkelling?

by Mihai Pinzariu on September 24, 2019

The great and wonderful thing about snorkelling is that almost anyone can take part in the leisurely activity. You can go as hard or as easy as you like, swimming out to explore faraway reefs or just hanging by the shore gazing at the sea life drifting by. You don’t need a license or fancy certification to hit the seas, but that doesn’t mean that anyone and everyone can jump into the ocean with a snorkel mask on and expect everything to go smoothly!

As much as we’d love snorkelling to be a completely risk-free sport that can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone, there are some limitations that mean certain people shouldn’t go snorkelling at certain times. If you’re wondering exactly who can snorkel and who shouldn’t go out snorkelling, we’ve got it all here. From important limitations and precautions to certain situations when you should stay on shore and avoid snorkelling, this is your guide to snorkelling safely.

Who can snorkel safely

Most healthy people can snorkel safely without being at risk of injury or accident. You don’t even have to know how to swim to be able to snorkel, you just need to know how to float! And luckily there are plenty of flotation devices out there to help you.

If you’re not too old and not too young, reasonably fit, with no serious medical or health conditions, and feel confident being in and around the water – go for it! Snorkelling is made for people like you. And if you don’t fit into that box, don’t feel bad. You can still go snorkelling, buddy! Just with a bit of awareness. Keep reading this article for tips and advice.

Who is at risk when snorkelling

If we’re honest, it’s very rare to find a person who absolutely shouldn’t go snorkelling, unless there are any major health concerns or injuries. That said, there are groups of people who may be at risk when snorkelling, and these groups should be sure to take some extra safety measures when snorkelling so that they avoid issues.

If you spot yourself on the list below, you may be at risk when snorkelling and require a bit of extra guidance, safety, or support – now, be honest with yourself here!

1. People with serious medical conditions

Respiratory or cardiac issues can pose a certain risk when snorkelling. If you have a history of heart disease, asthma, epilepsy, or any other serious medical issues, be aware that breathing through a snorkel tube may worsen the effects. For this reason, make sure you’re always heading out snorkelling with a buddy, and if you’re going with a tour group then be sure to let your tour operator know of your medical condition. Be aware that holding your breath while diving may put you at risk of hypoxic blackout (lack of oxygen to the brain).

2. Regular smokers

We’re not telling you to put down the ciggies, but be aware that smoking does fall under the umbrella of respiratory issues (find us a smoker with perfect lungs and we’ll retract that statement!) If you are a smoker, know that breathing through a snorkel tube may be a little more difficult than it is for non-snorkellers. Again, make sure you go with a buddy, and try not to have a ciggy for at least an hour before hitting the water. Avoid holding your breath for too long while diving underwater as you are also at risk of hypoxic blackout.

3. Nervous snorkellers

If you’re feeling nervous about snorkelling, your body is not going to feel at ease. For that reason, you’ll find it more difficult to breathe slowly and correctly, and floating along the surface of the water may be made harder. How can you tell if you’re a nervous snorkeller? If you’re feeling: jumpy, hesitant, overly excitable, edgy, fidgety, or have shaky hands, then we’ll classify you as a nervous snorkeller (even if you’re not scared of it at all!).

When you head out snorkelling, always make sure to have a buddy with you, and wear a flotation device to make it easier for your body to stay on the surface. A relaxed body is buoyant, but a tense body is heavier and tends to sink. Floaties will help prevent you from further stressing out, and make snorkelling much easier for you. Again, avoid holding your breath if you’re feeling nervous as often breathing will be shallow, putting you at risk of hypoxic blackout.

4. Obese or unfit people

Be honest with yourself here: would you consider yourself unfit? Do you huff and puff going up a flight of stairs? Does the thought of a 100-metre sprint get your heart racing (in a bad way?) Do you have more than 25-35% body fat? In this case, you are at some risk of cardiac issues while. Going off the points above regarding respiratory and heart issues, one of the most common risk factors amongst snorkellers who suffer accidents while out in the water is obesity and lack of fitness. If you believe you belong to either one of those descriptions, use a flotation device to lessen the amount of physical exertion you’ll be doing in the water, go with a buddy or a tour so that you have someone supervising you should something go wrong, and be sure to never snorkel outside of your ability or too far from other people.

How to always snorkel safely

Whether you’re at risk or not, everyone can still enjoy snorkelling – but at different speeds, intervals, and requiring different equipment and supervision. Going with a snorkelling tour is your best bet if you’ve matched with a few risk factors above. Snorkel tour operators are specifically trained in determining risk factors and minimising those risks so that everyone snorkels safely.

That said, managing snorkelling risks is quite easy so long as you’re attentive: 1.Try to use coloured markings or equipment so you’re easily spotted from shore, 2.Always go with a snorkel tour if possible, 3.Stay snorkelling near lookouts and crowded areas where help is nearby, 4.Try to go with a buddy who can hold your hand while snorkelling, 5.Use a flotation device to lessen physical exertion and make things easier, 6.Always know your ability and don’t step outside that zone, and 7.Avoid holding your breath while snorkelling (so no freediving!)

Snorkelling is easy

Despite all these risk factors and scary stuff, keep in mind that snorkelling is a super easy sport, and beginners are snorkelling for the first time ever almost everyday. The fact is that you’ll be floating around in water, and that’s where the major risks come in.

Just like any activity that you’re new to, it’s important to go into snorkelling with extra precaution for the first few times, being super aware of any dangers and gear limitations, and staying within your comfort zone. From there, you’ll gain the confidence and a better understanding of your ability and strengths.


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Based on 1482 reviews
91%
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7%
(98)
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(12)
B
Electra - Full Face Snorkel Mask
Bolang C. (Perth, AU)
Great design

This is the best snorkel mask I’ve ever had. Very comfortable on face, easy to breathe. I am not a good swimmer, it makes me feel safe and enjoy snorkelling without distraction. Thank you ninjiashark.

Best snorkel ever!!

Got one of these for me and my 7 year old daughter for Xmas. We’ve used them twice already and love them!! So much easier to breathe, can see so much and just makes the whole snorkelling experience better! Would highly recommend!

Clear as day

Clear to see and easy to breathe,
Whole family loves the NinjaShark Snorkel mask.

R
Lifetime Warranty
Robyn H. (Adelaide, AU)
Amazing

The best snorkel and mask combination. No going back now! I could snorkel for over an hour easily. So glad I made this purchase

M
Package: Dry Snorkel (Set + Fins + Bag)
Mermaid M. (Townsville, AU)
Mermaid

While travelling in Timor leste l met a fellow snorkeller. We snorkelled for 10 days together the food was shit but the water was stunning. The friend was using Ninja Shark fins and mask mine were steaming up, letting in water and heavy. On arriving back in Australia l ordered straight away.
I was a little bit anxious on receiving my order as the mask was quite different to my old one and the fins were short and adjustable ( l wanted them to be my size ! ) well to my luck the weather was beautiful ( yes mid winter in Mackay ) and perfect for boating so off we scooted to Cockermouth ( don't laugh it's a real place ) jumping in and WOW I'm now a mermaid 🧜‍♀️ the mask and fins felt like part of me. I actually cried as not only was the equipment allowing me to explore as l wanted but the reef was STUNNING. So lm indepted to Ninja Shark for making me the mermaid l always aspired to be 🧜‍♀️

Took it to Tahiti

I wasn’t quite sure about getting a full face mask but bought mine (Electra package) before a trip to Tahiti which we got home from yesterday - absolutely LOVED it!!! I’ll be getting one for my wife before our next trip to a similar destination. BTW I make LOTS of crazy videos with lots of toys.

Judge.me YouTube video placeholder
Life changing

I do love my full face snorkel.. the freedom of nose breathing under the water.. the meditative and relaxative effect of this snorkeling is unexpected and great. Fits so well.. comfy to wear for long time.. highly recommend

j
Diving Dry Snorkel Set with GoPro mount
jomm11 (Brisbane, AU)
Super quality & fit

So happy we got Ninja shark, perfect for Great barrier reef snorkel day.
Flippers, mask, dry wallet, carry bag (good quality bag), anti fog spray, happy days.

Ninja Shark Kids Mask

We recently brought the Ninja Shark Kids 3-11 Mask + Fins + Bag package for our 7 year old who absolutely loves it! Will be buying three more for the rest of the family. 😊

Even better than expected!

I saw the kids full face snorkel masks online, and thought they looked pretty cool. I ordered two for Christmas, for my 3 and 6 year olds. Wow, did they have a great time with them!

I wasn't sure how the 3 year old would go with it, but he was comfortable in it almost immediately, and spent hours swimming around and seeing a whole new world of underwater scenery.

They were easy to fit, zero issues with them staying on. No leaks or fog.

They can't wait to get back to the water!

Highly recommend this product :)

N
Electra - Full Face Snorkel Mask
Nick J. (Brisbane, AU)
mask swimming

The mask did exactly what was stated. I was very happy and will get another mask for my daughter.

S
Electra - Full Face Snorkel Mask
Sheara R. (Perth, AU)
Great way to swim

I have NEVER been able to snorkel but love swimming. These full face snorkels are an absolute game changer in my life. Now I try to swim around 5 kms a week in the local pool. The Ninja mask makes it easy to do laps. I’ve been using the Ninja Shark for a quite few years and find the new Electra the best full face mask ever. No leaks, no fog and really easy to use and great quality. I’ve noticed my regular chats with other swimmers at the pool have encouraged many of them to purchase one of their own. I’ve given my older models to my grandkids and they love them too.

Fabulous

I got one for the 3 year old and one for the 5 year old, I thought maybe the 3 year old would get the hang of it eventually but they both loved it and mastered it pretty quickly. We’ve only used in the swimming pool, excited to go snorkeling in the ocean soon. Great product.

S
Lifetime Warranty
Sarah B. (Surfers Paradise, AU)
Love it!

Amazing product ! Have the electra package, kids love it. So easy to use. Highly recommend

J
Diving Dry Snorkel Set with GoPro mount
Jennifer M. (Brisbane, AU)
Love it

Bought these for myself and my husband after getting the full face masks for the kids, and they were so good we’re getting them for the rest of the extended family for Xmas. The fact u can dive down and not get water down ur snorkel is a brilliant bonus! Makes our family holidays much easier and better without snorkel dramas!

This made our holiday

The product itself was amazing, but the service we received allowed us to get our 2 sets of masks for our cruise. We took them with us and used them multiple times for snorkelling on our cruise to Nouméa and New Caledonia. It was amazing snorkelling and being able to breathe easily, and the fins were the most comfortable I've ever used. I've got size 13 feet, and not only were they completely adjustable, but they were THE most comfortable fins ever invented. A massive shoutout to Colleen Zamora from your support staff who helped me out and made it possible to take our gear on holidays! Thanks Colleen!
The photo is us snorkelling off Amadee Island looking for turtles!

My kids love them

I’ve got three of these masks for my younger kids, however the oldest wants one too as the young ones rave about how good the are.

Summer Family Fun

Our Ninja masks have made snorkelling as a whole family very easy and enjoyable. The kids (and parents) find them super easy to use and have allowed us as a family of five to snorkel for longer than we ever could using traditional snorkel gear. I would highly recommend these masks.

G
Lifetime Warranty
Geri D. (Sydney, AU)
Lifetime warranty

Glad I have but haven’t needed to use .. yet

Great Mask

Love this mask. Kids find it so much easier snorkelling with the Ninja Shark. The snorkel mask is super clear and doesn’t fog up. The adjustable straps are great and easy to loosen and tighten. Very happy that we made the decision to get these for the kids.

A must for snorkelers!

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awsome

we used our new masks over the weekend. they were amazing, my daughter barely had her head out of the water all day.

L
Lifetime Warranty
Lina J. (Gold Coast, AU)
life warranty

This is great! More stores should do it!

O
Lifetime Warranty
Olivia (Perth, AU)
Fantastic snorkel!

Our 5 year old has never snorkelled. Put it on and was snorkelling no problem straight away! Easy for him to put on and off by himself. We bought the full package with flippers (also amazing and he can put them on by himself) and the two wet bags. The foldable snorkel is so handy for storing while we are travelling. And the lifetime warranty gives us great comfort that we can use it for future trips! We are so impressed with this product I’m going to get mum and dad one too!

Kids snorkel

It is a lot easier for the younger children to have fun and snorkel without worrying about their nose breathing. My 6 year old swims confidently and happily.