Why travel by live-aboard?
Live-aboard trips are typically operated for divers, so divers can get
to beautiful, remote reefs and dive up to 100 ft.
I started chartering live-aboards for dedicated snorkel trips so
that we snorkelers can get to pristine reefs with abundant marine life AND we stay in the shallow reefs. I chose the most reliable and experienced vessels available and plan trips during the most favorable time of the year for good sea conditions.
It’s so special to explore remote, un-trampled reefs that would be
impossible to get to otherwise. From the convenience of our live-aboard we can experience ever-changing underw
ater scenery and marine life.
Life on board the boat is comfortable and casual. Nothing more than shorts and a tee shirt is needed. Mealtimes are full of lively conversation; there is a special camaraderie that comes from an exciting shared adventure.
Our day-to-day itinerary will be dependent on wind and sea conditions to ensure we are in the best place at the best time. A typical day will start with watching the sunrise. Early morning coffee and light breakfast is available before we jump in for our first snorkel adventure. It’s really quite wonderful to slip in the water first thing and snorkel amidst a kaleidoscope of different colored fish and corals. What a thrill to see a Manta Ray glide by you, or discover a cryptic seahorse bobbling in the shallows.
After a well-deserved breakfast, we continue to a second marine habitat. Perhaps we’ll snorkel a fringing reef or a dramatic steep wall with layers of coral and fish. Some days may have an opportunity for a hike or a village visit.
In the evening there may be a twilight snorkel or we may just hang out and enjoy the sunset and recount the excitement of the day with our fellow travelers. After dinner star gazers can find their favorite constellation as we travel quietly to our next amazing snorkel site.
There is one other advantage to being on a live-aboard. When I’m at home it’s impossible for me to “un-plug” from….well everything…. the computer, phones, TV and the newspaper. I just don’t have self-control. Consider your live-aboard experience an opportunity to tune into nature and drop out of information overload for a short while. I come home feeling years younger and vow to keep up the relaxed attitude…not successful on that front yet!
Is a live-aboard snorkeling trip right for me?
Anyone young or old can snorkel. It’s not about age; it’s about your comfort and experience in the water. You should be fit, in good health and able to participate in moderately strenuous activities. If you are an experienced snorkeler who is comfortable being in waters with moderate current, you will love this kind of adventure.
You should have the ability to swim unassisted in the water for an hour or more at a time. Typically we are in the water 2-3 hours at a time.
You need to have the strength to pull yourself up from the water and into a zodiac via a small ladder.
If you have questions about whether you will be able to participate in the majority of this program, please contact me before signing up.
If this level of immersion sounds like more than you want, a resort based trip might be a better fit. I’m very familiar with great options and I’d be happy to find a suitable adventure for you.
Our day to day itinerary will remain flexible so that can take advantage of the best conditions. It’s always a good idea to pack some sea sickness medication. Every person is different with their tolerance for motion. I find my sea legs very quickly and love the motion, smells and ambiance of being at sea.
Currents, tides and reef conditions may necessitate deviations from the daily itinerary; the guide and ship’s crew will monitor conditions. Safety always comes first! Pack your spirit of adventure, this trip will be the experience of a lifetime!
How do I book Flights and plan travel extensions?
I am happy to help you find the best flights from your home city to join the trip. I would also enjoy discussing travel options to continue exploring before or after the snorkel trip. I love planning trips and I can give your firsthand information about most destinations, I can also assist in obtaining insurance for you.
What do I need to pack?
Pack casual, wash-and-wear comfortable clothes. Life on liveaboards and in small eco-resorts is relaxed and casual. Most of my suitcase is filled with what I will wear IN the water. Very little is needed during the day. It’s all about having gear that fits you and you are comfortable with. During the trip is not the time to find out if your gear fits you. Get friendly with your gear before you travel!
For your time in the water:
- MASK Taking the time to find a mask that fits your face well is critical. Your mask is your most important piece of equipment and your gateway to wonderment! Don’t rely on how it feels when you are out of the water. Try it out in a pool, or even better in the ocean before a trip. A mask that doesn’t fit your face well and leaks will not make you happy. I do not recommend full face masks.
- Defogger can help prevent your mask from fogging up. Be sure to choose one that’s non-toxic, biodegradable and alcohol free, for your protection and for the safety of the reefs and their inhabitants. Diluted Baby Shampoo is cheap and effective.
- Snorkel A critical factor in choosing the right snorkel is the mouthpiece—you want to make sure it feels comfortable and stays in your mouth easily without having to bite down too hard.
If the mouthpiece is too small or large, you can purchase a separate compatible mouthpiece. - Head cover Not only will a hood or buff keep hair out of your mask, it can prevent your scalp from getting sunburned.
A hood help you stay warm. If you get cold easily a hood can make a big difference. - Rash guard This is the minimum you should wear in the water. A full body rash guard will provide protection from the sun, ocean stingers and coral scrapes. A sunburn will ruin your vacation. When you are in the water for hours you don’t feel hot, but your unprotected skin will burn. Why slather sunscreen all over yourself that is just going to pollute the ocean? Protect yourself AND the environment and wear a full body rash guard or wetsuit.
- Wetsuit If you get cold easily you might consider a wetsuit. I would layer a wetsuit over a full body rash guard. Shorty wetsuits—ones with short sleeves and leggings that stop right before the knee—are great. A 2mm or 3mm shorty will be sufficient for almost anywhere. A 2mm or 3mm neoprene vest is another good investment. A vest could be worn over your rash guard if you need a little warmth or layered with your wetsuit to be extra warm. Bring layers, you won’t want to shorten an epic snorkel because you are cold.**Whatever you wear in the water should fit very snuggly. This is no time to be self-conscious. If your water gear is baggy it won’t keep you warm and worse, it will fill up with water and make it difficult to swim.**
- Biodegradable sunscreen Choose a reef-friendly sunscreen, which biodegrades in water. That way you won’t be damaging the reefs you’re there to see. Better yet, cover yourself with a full body rashguard and hood and you won’t need the sunscreen.
- Fins Comfortable fins that don’t give you blisters are a priority. It’s tempting to bring short travel fins because they are easy to pack, but very short fins won’t give you the power you need to swim through current. Longer fins will give you a more powerful leg stroke and faster speed. Everyone is different. Try out your fins in the pool or ocean before the trip.
If you need to purchase fins, two good options to consider are Mares Volo Race Full Foot Fins and Cressi Agua Full Foot Fins.
You can find either on Amazon. - Water Socks Water socks (or booties if you use an open fin) prevent blisters and keep your feet warm. I’ve had great luck with Akona 2mm neoprene socks.
- Gloves A number of resorts and liveaboards don’t allow the use of gloves to reduce the temptation of holding onto coral while taking photos. I wear fingerless gloves to protect the top of my hands from burning.
Packing checklist:
Snorkeling Etc provides an extensive packing list. If you’d like a copy in advance of your trip, just let me know. I’ll be happy to send that to you.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential. No one wants to spend money they don’t have to, but that’s the thing. You don’t know until it’s too late if you need it.
I always purchase comprehensive travel insurance and I have had to use it. You will be happy if you don’t need it, but you will be so relieved to have it if you need it!
Trip cancellation coverage can protect you against the loss of your payments should you have to cancel before departure due to illness affecting you, your traveling companion’s or a family member.
Insurance also covers the cost of emergency transportation if an accident or illness during the trip requires you to be transported to a medical care facility or to return home. Coverage also reimburses medical expenses incurred during your trip.
It’s important to purchase insurance within 2 weeks of your first deposit to cover cancellations necessitated due to pre-existing medical conditions or terrorist acts.
Contact me for a quote or with any questions.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Wendy Simon/Founder and CEO
Snorkeing Etc. Inc.
“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, to gain all while you give, to roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live.”
― Hans Christian Andersen