TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Any tips for kids & snorkeling?

We're just over a year out from our first trip with our kids, currently 7 and 4, but will be 5 and 8 by the time the trip comes around. We just went and got them their first snorkel gear this morning so that they can begin practicing and getting comfortable with it over the summer at the pool and the occasional beach trip.

Would really appreciate any tips and tricks, suggestions, gear recommendations, etc. for young snorkelers. Including suggestions on snorkeling life jackets for kids? We have good life jackets for them, but we feel that's probably a bit too much flotation for snorkeling, so we're looking for some kind of middle ground (and more secure than the pool noodle trick, given their ages), and bright colors are good as well.

I tried a search, but didn't find anything specific to snorkeling with kids, if you know of a thread, please feel free to point me in the right direction, but accept my apologies in advance, I did try to look for it. Thanks!

Just Google snorkle vests-multiple lightweight inflatable versions including children’s sizes. Our boat included adult sizes,
Not sure if the base stocked children’s sizes

Good idea getting them used to it in a pool first. An inflatable snorkel vest is usually better than a life jacket since it keeps them safe but still lets them move and snorkel comfortably.

Start in shallow water, keep sessions short and make sure the mask fits well to avoid leaks. A simple signal for breaks also helps. Once confident, fins can make it easier and more fun for older kids.

We taught our son to snorkel around 4.5-5 years old.

A parent gave me valuable advice - keep it simple. Let them start with just a mask first, add the snorkel once they are comfortable and save the fins for later. A well fitting vest that doesn't ride up around their face is essential. I think we got his vest at BassPro, but that was 15+ years ago.

Have fun, I miss the younger years. Snorkeling is something we still enjoy together and our son is a beginner diver now. I am considering giving it a try so we can do it together on vacation.

When my kids were young they would just use a mask..no snorkel. They would also just lay on their lifejackets, not put them on.

Thanks for all the helpful tips and responses! Keep 'em coming if there are any others! Good ideas taking it slow and introducing one thing at a time - I think that will help a lot, especially with our little one.

She is working hard in the pool every time we take her, basically teaching herself how to swim at this point, all she wants to do is practice and challenge herself. She swims with goggles, so replacing with a mask should be a minor adjustment, then getting her to use a snorkel should hopefully be a fairly simple step up. Thanks again everyone!

We're thinking of giving these a try. Looks pretty comfortable, we'll have them wear long sleeves whenever we go snorkeling, and you can add or remove flotation depending on skill level and comfort.


Great tip on simple break signal as well.

That looks like a very good option for snorkeling.

My grandsons can swim. They are 11, 6 & 5 years old. We have a pool. I bought them snorkel equipment last year. They are pros. Best to start in the pool. It takes a minute for them to get used to the snorkel.
Have fun!
Anita

For my kids, starting them with mask, adding fins when they were comfortable with the mask, was the best approach. Add snorkel when they ask for it.

Cheers, RickG