Mar 19, 2024

Credit: stocksnap.io

By: MJ Gonzales |Gogagah

Philippines has numerous of fantastic beaches and bays that thankfully remain marvelous to explore.  If this is a fact, why you should also try water activities such as diving, kayaking, jet skiing, and snorkeling? If you intend to do the latter, here are the ideas about it and what preparations do you need:

Snorkeling v Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving is a cool water activity that sort of similar to snorkeling. However, there are also difference between the two like  the number of gears you’ll wear and level  of water you can reach.  Scuba diving requires  training and gas tanks so divers can swim deeper, and longer  If your pocket and stamina are not yet ready for that, snorkeling is good to try. You only need snorkel as the most basic gear so you can go under the water and see the seascape.  It’s up to you if you’re going to wear fins, wet-suits, and swimming cap.

Reminders in snorkeling

Most of the time, travel agencies automatically offer snorkel, life vest, and assistance when you avail their service. In Honda Bay (Palawan), there are special spots good for snorkeling but the Pambato Reef is the most popular and safest. The guides their discuss about the sea creatures, seascape, and what you should do underwater.

Meanwhile, WWF advised to secure first your snorkel before you submerge to the water. Check if the mouthpiece is clean, the mask is clear from fog, and you can breathe clearly through the tube. Furthermore, it’s also advisable to drink plenty of drinking water and put sun block.  WWF warned that you should keep your distance from sea creatures and don’t touch them even if they approach you.

Credit: Pixabay
Credit: Pixabay

“This especially applies to corals. Some are toxic and can cause nasty cuts or even massive infections—not to mention that even an unintended kick to a coral head can damage decades’ worth of growth,” the international conservation organization shared.

Benefits of Snorkeling

Witnessing the lives of sea creatures is a breathtaking experience that you’ll appreciative he beauty of Mother Nature. This is apart from, it takes away your stress and pushes you to exercise.

On the other side, snorkeling also offer health benefits like it is good against certain heart diseases, blood pressure, joint pain, obesity, and anxiety. According to Health Fitness Revolution, it’s a recreational pastime that can burn up to 300 calories per hour and improves your body’s endurance and lung capacity.

“Exercising in the water reduces the impact forces generally associated with other cardiovascular exercises like walking and jogging. If you have trouble exercising because of movement restrictions, consider snorkeling as a means of kick-starting your exercise program,” the site shared.