First Time Snorkeling in Coron: What You Need to Know
Never snorkeled before?
Coron is a wonderful place to start.
You don't need scuba certification, expensive equipment or advanced swimming skills to discover Coron's underwater world. But knowing a few basics before jumping in will make your first experience much more enjoyable.
What Equipment Do You Need?
The basic equipment is simple:
mask, snorkel and life jacket.
Fins may also be provided or available for rent depending on your tour.
Many organized island-hopping tours provide snorkeling equipment, but always check what's included when booking.
Your mask should fit comfortably and create a seal around your face. If water constantly enters, ask your guide to adjust it or change masks.
Practice Before Exploring
Don't make your first attempt in deep water beside a busy reef.
Start somewhere calm.
Put your face underwater, breathe slowly through the snorkel and become comfortable with the sensation before moving farther from the boat.
If you're nervous, keep your life jacket on.
Most importantly, tell your guide that it's your first time. They can help you choose an appropriate area and stay close if necessary.
Where Can Beginners Snorkel?
Coron has several well-known snorkeling stops.
Siete Pecados Marine Park is famous for coral and tropical fish and is one of Coron's established snorkeling destinations.
Coral Garden is another common island-hopping stop where you can observe marine life from the surface.
Skeleton Wreck offers something completely different: a shallow WWII-era wreck visible to snorkelers from above.
Conditions can change with currents, tides and weather, however. A site that is easy one day may be more challenging another day.
Listen to your boat crew.
Don't Touch the Coral
Coral isn't a rock.
It's part of a living ecosystem.
Never stand on coral, kick it with your fins, break pieces off or hold onto it for balance.
Stay horizontal when snorkeling over shallow reefs and be conscious of where your fins are.
And don't chase or touch turtles, fish or other marine animals.
Protect Yourself From the Sun
You can burn surprisingly quickly while snorkeling because your back remains exposed to direct sunlight.
A long-sleeved rash guard is one of the best things you can wear.
It provides physical sun protection while reducing the amount of sunscreen needed.
Relax and Look Around
Beginners often spend their first few minutes concentrating entirely on breathing.
Then suddenly you look down.
Coral, tropical fish and sometimes a shipwreck appear beneath you.
That's when snorkeling starts making sense.
Breathe slowly, stay relaxed, respect the reef and let Coron introduce you to an entirely different world.
Discover more of Coron above and below the water with ilovecoron.com.
Because I Love Coron.
