I too have only snorkeled once before and I feel like you - its just not natural to breathe underwater, but I bought equipment this summer and "practiced" in a pool just to get the hang of breathing thru the tube underwater. As far as safety, from what I understand, its not a dangerous thing especially if you have a floatation belt/vest on in case you get tired. I suppose there are "do's" and "don'ts" of snorkeling but the only one I have heard of is DO NOT touch any coral, even accidentally! Don't know why I am replying since I know nothing either - except to let you know there are others in the same boat as you!

I'm no pro at snorkeling but I've been many times (and still tend to hold my breath sometimes even though the tube is there to breathe through!) The two things I would say are important are 1) that you shouldn't go alone. I pretty much think any water activity should be with someone else just in case. 2) when you're snorkeling, look up every now and again so you can see where you are. If you get out there and get into looking around and swimming without really paying attention, you might get out too far without realizing it.

Erinn

Ok folks, I am your experienced dummy! I can't swim worth a d--- and am nervous in the water, especially when its around my head. BUT, I snorkle my self silly in STJ.
Here's your primer:
1) bring/buy/borrow a flotation belt or snorkle vest- this will keep you from drowning which you won't do anyway but you will be more relaxed
2) understand (huge point IMHO) that when you look in the water, everything looks very deep even though its only a couple of feet deep- the water is very shallow, drops very gradually in most places, and the coral need sunlight so therefore, most snorkling is very close to the shore to begin with in the VIs. But it looks very deep due to the magnification effects of the water. Just keep telling yourself "it only looks deep"
3) correct, don't touch any coral or black spiny sea urchins or the butt of the snorkler in front of you or the propeller of the boat thats moored where you are snorkling or you will regret it. I panicked my first time out, see #2, and sat down on fire coral. I had a rash for 6 months, no joke!
4) put the mask on with the mouthpiece and tube in place, put on the belt or vest, then just float for a couple of minutes near shore and in the sand, away from the coral until you are sure you don't have a leaky mask. Once you are comfortable with the fit of the mask and mouthpiece (shouldn't be much of an issue), then wade out a little more, drop down, put on the flippers, then paddle in slow motion, concentrating fully on breathing in and out of the tube. CONSCIOUSLY breathe in and out, make a big slow deal out of it and it will become natural after a couple of minutes.
4a) stay away from other people except the significant person you are with, nothing is more confusing and scary than trying to learn this around a bunch of other snorklers, both experienced or not. Flippers in the face or getting kicked is no fun and can freak you out.
5) remember, this is for fun, so slow down. You can truly just float and kick your flippers once an hour in some spots, just lying there looking at the coral and fish is fabulous. Also keep in mind that the heat keeps the salinity level in the water higher than in the USA so the water is easier to float in anyway
6) recommended beginning spot- I recommend Francis Bay, next to Maho. Its easy to access, not much traffic, the coral and fish are great near Maho around the rocks, and viewing the sea turtles in Francis Bay is awesome (don't worry, they will avoid you)
7) wear waterproof sunscreen and a tshirt because you will burn since you're technically on the surface the whole time.
I hope this helps. We talk about snorkling all the time and bought our own equipment which is the first bag to go into the car when we head for the airport! Enjoy!

Karrieb! Where were you before I went to snorkel at STJ the first time??? You covered all the main points of beginning snorkeling 101. I would only add that remember, sitter, it is more about floating than swimming and that is definitely true in the VI where I was AMAZED at how easily I floated!!! I had a mini freak out at the water's edge when I realized how far out is was to snorkel the trail at Trunk Bay, thinking "what if I swim all the way out there and get tired and can't make it back in???", but to my wonderful surprise, I just floated along slowly kicking my fins and effortlessly watching the fish and coral below without a care in the world! Trust me, it would be hard to have been more afraid than me and I did AWESOME first time out and was the one who wanted to stay a little longer each time and never wanted to leave! You can do it... just listen to your breathing, kind of make a pattern of In and Out and In and Out and soon you'll forget all about it and just have fun!

I'm not an expert, but there are some things that I think are a MUST.

Rule #1....RELAX in that water. Once you put your head in, don't think of your breathing. It will come naturally.

No more rules...just ideas.

I don't like flippers. They give me cramps in my toes and calfs. So, bought a vest this year and it's great! I love it, even though I'm a good swimmer, the vest gives me peace of mind.

If you have a really good snorkel, you can dive down and get a closer look. I think that's fun.

karrieb....I almost spit our my soda while reading your reply!! I was soo looking forward to the butt in front of me!!....now you are saying NOT to go after it!! AWWW MAN!

Yea...how pathetic of us.......go to the Virgin Islands to snorkel when you have NO idea of what you are even looking at AND can't swim!! I could proabably save myself by doggy-paddling tho!

Great tips tho....thanks! I think we will be just fine! (They have Rum there right!!??)

Great suggestions. Excellent suggestion to start off spending a little time in water where you can be standing on sand while you're getting comfortable and getting the hang of the mechanics of snorkeling. Years ago my first snorkeling experience was going off a boat pretty far out at sea. It was a little freaky for me. It's not the way I'd introduce anyone else to snorkeling. Another good suggestion is to use a flotation belt when you're getting started. I actually may start using one at some point because as I'm getting older, I'm losing some endurance.

Don't forget, to stop your mask from fogging up you need to either

a) spit in it and then rub it around and do one rinse with salt water
or
b) use a solution of 50% water and 50% Johnsons Baby Shampoo, rub it around and then rinse in salt water -this is what I do and was given this tip from a boat captain
or
c) buy a small bottle of anti fog solution ($9.00 down here) from a dive shop

And please (as everyone else has said) do not step on the coral or touch it in anyway as it kills it.

You will have a wonderful time.

Pia

these are all great tips, and I too am learning, so I'm printing this out to read right before we go. I was wondering about the fins also - whether or not they are really necessary - so I'm glad to hear they're not. I'm a pretty good swimmer and I just figured I'd kick my legs to move rather than use them. Unless you want to get from point A to point B really fast, I wouldn't think you'd need them, correct?

I've always used fins. Once I developed a blister on my instep, so figured I just wouldn't use the fins. It's a whole lot more work without them. Hadn't fully realized just what they were doing for me. Also,there are some areas (Waterlemon comes to mind immediately) where you may have to deal with significant currents and fins would be nice to have.

Great tips for snorkeling! I have snorkeled many times in deep rough water (6 foot waves) and shallow,calm water. The key is to just relax and go slow so you can take in everything around you. STJ is great because it is off shore and you can take breaks. I haven't been to STT, but assume that is the same.
Have Fun!

Yes fins, I vote for them because: a) you can get lost, mentally, in the wonder of the coral formations, lose track of time, then find out that the other people you are with are way down elsewhere and for whatever reason you need to catch up- the fins require less work for the muscles of us uptight swimmers who due to our fear, exhaust easily and b) you might see something ahead like a cave or a sea turtle and get really excited and want to speed up for just a few seconds (NO MORE THAN THAT!) to get a better look around. The fins really help you move fast even though its kind of counter- snorkling zen.
Pia probably added the best extra info (IMHO) as I forgot about the fogging. Highlight her tips!
Finally, for tonight anyway, if you are a bio-nerd like me, either buy a book of flora or fauna, borrow one from where you are staying, or memorize what you see as you may want to catalog for yourself what you've seen for coral and fish creatures.

A quick tip on finding a good fish/coral ID book; they have a great selection at the VI National Park visitors' center - that's where I bought mine.

For anyone who has a mustache - apply a little vaseline to help provide for a water tight seal

Worked for me

Steve

If you start getting a little more comfortable with snorkeling you may want to go deeper underwater to get a closer look at some of the fish. As you are diving down, relieve the pressure in your ears by holding your nose while trying to blow out of your nose. Keep your mouth sealed while you are doing this. Do this gently.......no need to pop your ear drum. You can practice it just sitting here. When you get back to the surface, blow out of your snorkel really hard to clear all the water out of it.
We learned how to snorkel at Hawksnest Bay. It's very clear and shallow. The coral and fish are very close to land also.
Just relax and enjoy!!

My husband had a mustache since he was 16..now he doesn't. He found that even with vaseline that he couldn't get a tight seal. He finally shaved it off and kept it that way. Snorkeling is more important :o)

While we're on the subject of snorkeling. Does anybody have any ideas on how NOT to rip your hair off from the back of the face mask? I get a tight seal, but the rubber and hair don't mix and I always have a hard time. Would appreciate any ideas.

Get a mask head band cover at any dive shop. They are made out of a nylon type fabric and the mask headband goes through the thingy do and taa daa no more problem!! Wouldn't be without it. Even my husband uses one.

>>> fins vs. no fins
You may be more likely to have snorkeling "success" with fins than without first time out as this will make it real easy to move and float about in the horizontal position.
Newbies should probably start with fins, then as you become more experienced and find that you prefer some other combo without fins, go that way. Would it be fair to say that probably 9 out 10 snorkelers use fins?

Other gear tips:
>>> neoprene booties worn under fins helpful to prevent blisters if you are prone to them, especially if using the strap style fins. Also provide some foot protection as you walk over rocks etc. to make your way to water at non-sandy snorkel spots.

>>> sun protection: consider wearing quick drying "rash guards" aka surf shirts to protect your skin and not have to constantly reapply sunscreen to your back, especially if you dont care for the "waterproof" varities of sunblock that tend to clog pores etc.
Sure it may result in more of a "farmers" or "golfers" tan, but I got enuff stuff to play connect the dots with on my back already!
JMQ

Connie, while the strap is an important part of the mask, it should not be really tight on your head. In fact, to test the mask, you should put it in place without the strap, inhale, and see if the mask stays on your face. Do this above water, of course. Try loosening the starp a bit and see if that doesn't help with the hair problem.

Of course this is coming from someone who is follically challenged, but it is true.

I also have heard about the vaseline trick if you have a moustache, but it didn't work for me either, because I don't have much of an upper lip. That is why I grew the moustache, to help that small upper lip thing. It was easier just to shave it off.

One other thing...try the "Dry" snorkel. Once you do, you'll never go back to the conventional one. What a pleasure to dive down to get that closer look at things, then come back up at the last possible moment and just start breathing...without having to blow really hard to purge the water from the snorkel!

Enjoy,

-Bert