Flavor of Maui

Snorkeling can be a inexpensive pastime that is easier to learn than surfing or scuba diving and can be done either by booking a cruise or finding a good spot on a beach. If you book a cruise, expect gear, lunch and other amenities to be provided. 

Most of the time gear can be rented or purchased. In either case, all you’ll need is a mask, a snorkel and some fins. Snorkel Gear comes in many sizes and shapes. A good fit is what’s important. If the mask doesn’t fit properly expect to experience some leakage of water in the mask. 

If you want a little help buying or renting gear, try pros like Boss Frog or Snorkel Bob’s. Snorkel Bob’s is the largest and only snorkel company in Hawaii that designs and manufactures snorkel gear, including a special kids line. 

Gear packages are available by the day, the week, or for keeps. All gear packages include mask, fins, Bubba dry snorkel, no-fog goop, fish ID, map ‘n tips and The Legend of Snorkel Bob. If you’re traveling interisland, Snorkel Bob’s offers 24-hour interisland gear return. 

Here’s some snorkeling tips:
1. Snorkeling is a buddy sport. You help your buddy. She helps you.
2. Never turn your back on the ocean. (It’ll whomp you.)
3. Always observe- surf, current, wave sets, surge on reefs/rocks.
4. Avoid wana (vonna) - black sea urchin. If you get stung, tobacco can kill the sting.
5. Enter and exit from a sandy beach area.
6. Never swim against a current, swim diagonally across it.
7. Avoid snorkeling at dusk.
8. Friends don’t let friends snorkel under the influence.
9. Don’t snorkel in a strong offshore wind.
10. Duck or dive under breaking waves before they reach you to avoid their bully force. Don’t try to jump over them or turn your back to them.
11.Don’t feed the fish.
12. If you wear glasses, be sure to ask for a mask with “vision correction.”