Snorkelling in Fiji for Beginners: The Complete Guide • Fiji Travel

Fiji’s marketing tagline — the Soft Coral Capital of the World — is one of those rare cases where a tourism slogan is not an exaggeration. The reef systems here are genuinely extraordinary, and the underwater visibility (routinely 15 to 30 metres, sometimes more) means you can see them in a clarity that few other destinations offer. For experienced snorkellers and divers, Fiji’s reefs are world-class. But this guide is not for experienced snorkellers. It is for people who have never put their face in the water with a mask on, or who tried once on a holiday years ago and found it uncomfortable, or who are nervous about the ocean and unsure whether snorkelling is something they can actually do.

The honest answer is that almost everyone can snorkel. It requires no particular fitness, no certification, no training beyond twenty minutes of practice, and no courage beyond the willingness to put your face in warm, clear, calm water and breathe normally through a tube. Fiji is one of the best places in the world to learn because the conditions — warm water, calm lagoons, abundant marine life close to shore — are about as forgiving as the ocean gets. If you are going to Fiji and wondering whether you should try snorkelling, the answer is almost certainly yes, and this guide will tell you everything you need to know to do it comfortably and safely.

Basic Equipment: Mask, Snorkel, and Fins

Snorkelling requires three pieces of equipment. Understanding what each does and whether to buy or rent helps you start comfortably.

The mask is the most important piece. A good mask creates a watertight seal around your eyes and nose, allowing you to see clearly underwater. The single most common reason beginners have a bad snorkelling experience is a poorly fitting mask that leaks water, fogs up, or presses uncomfortably against the face. A mask that fits you well transforms the experience; a mask that does not fit makes it miserable.

How to test fit: Press the mask gently against your face without using the strap. Inhale slightly through your nose. If the mask stays in place without you holding it, the seal is good. If it drops away or you feel air leaking around the edges, that mask does not fit your face shape. Try another. Masks come in different shapes and volumes — a mask that does not fit one person may fit another perfectly.

The snorkel is the breathing tube. Modern snorkels typically have a dry-top or semi-dry design, meaning a splash guard or valve at the top prevents water from entering when waves wash over you. For beginners, a dry-top snorkel is strongly recommended — the reduction in water ingestion makes the experience significantly more comfortable. The snorkel attaches to the mask strap and sits to the left side of your face.

Fins provide propulsion. They are not strictly essential — you can snorkel without them in calm, shallow water — but they make a meaningful difference to comfort and control. Fins allow you to move through the water with less effort, maintain your position against gentle current, and cover more reef area without exhausting yourself. For beginners, short-blade fins are easier to manage than long-blade dive fins. Full-foot fins (which you wear like a shoe) are simpler than open-heel fins (which require reef booties), though open-heel fins offer better adjustability.

Buy or rent? If you are visiting Fiji for a week and plan to snorkel multiple times (which you will, once you try it), buying your own mask is worth the investment. A well-fitting mask that you have tested at home costs approximately FJD $40 to $120 (AUD $28 to $84) for a quality recreational model, and the fit will be better than whatever rental mask the resort provides. Rental masks are one-size-fits-most, which means they fit most people adequately and some people poorly. If the mask is the difference between enjoying snorkelling and not enjoying it, owning one that fits your face is a small price.

Snorkels and fins can be rented at virtually every Fiji resort and snorkelling operator. Rental costs are typically FJD $15 to $35 per day (AUD $10.50 to $24.50) for a full set (mask, snorkel, fins), and many resorts include snorkelling equipment as part of a full-board or activity-inclusive package. If you are staying at a resort with included equipment, renting is fine for snorkel and fins — just bring your own mask.

How to Snorkel: Technique for Complete Beginners

The technique itself is simple, and practicing for fifteen to twenty minutes in shallow, calm water is all most beginners need before they are comfortable.

Step 1: Start in shallow water. Wade into water that is waist-deep to chest-deep — deep enough that you can float but shallow enough that you can stand up at any time. This is the single most important piece of advice for nervous beginners: you can always stand up. You are not committing to deep water. You are floating in water where your feet can touch the bottom whenever you want.

Step 2: Put the mask on and adjust the strap. The strap should hold the mask snugly against your face without pulling or pressing. Too tight is as bad as too loose — a strap that is overtightened presses the mask into your face and creates discomfort and sometimes leaks. Adjust until the mask feels secure but not tight.

Step 3: Place the snorkel mouthpiece in your mouth. Bite gently on the silicone tabs and close your lips around the mouthpiece. Breathe in and out through your mouth. This is the part that feels strange at first — breathing through a tube while your nose is enclosed in a mask is not a natural sensation. Practice on land first if it helps: stand on the beach, put the mask and snorkel on, and breathe for a minute. The sound of your own breathing through the tube is loud and unfamiliar but entirely normal.

Step 4: Lean forward and float. With the mask and snorkel in place, lean forward into the water until your face is submerged. Let your body float. Breathe normally through the snorkel. Look down. You are snorkelling.

The most common beginner mistake is holding your breath or breathing too quickly. Neither is necessary. The snorkel provides a continuous air supply — just breathe normally, at a natural pace, through your mouth. Your nose will not take in water because the mask seals around it. If you feel the urge to breathe through your nose, you will notice resistance (the mask is sealed); this is a reminder to breathe through your mouth instead. After two or three minutes, this becomes automatic.

Step 5: Move gently. Use your fins to propel yourself slowly. The motion is a gentle flutter kick from the hips — not a bicycle-pedalling motion from the knees. Keep your arms at your sides or held loosely in front of you. The fins do the work. Move slowly. There is no advantage to speed; the reef comes to you, and the fish are not going anywhere.

Clearing water from the snorkel: If water enters the snorkel (from a wave, from submerging too deeply, or from turning your head), blow a short, sharp exhale through the snorkel to clear it. The water will be expelled through the purge valve at the bottom or out the top. This is a learned skill but one that becomes instinctive very quickly. If a lot of water enters and blowing does not clear it, simply stand up, remove the snorkel, empty it, and start again. There is no penalty for standing up.

Defogging the mask: Masks fog when the temperature difference between your face and the water causes condensation on the inside of the lens. The traditional solution — and it genuinely works — is to spit into the dry mask, rub the saliva around the inside of the lens, and rinse lightly with seawater before putting it on. Commercial defog solutions are also available and work well. Apply before every session.

Best Beginner-Friendly Snorkelling Spots

The ideal beginner snorkelling spot has calm water, a shallow entry, a sandy bottom that transitions gradually to reef, good visibility, and enough marine life to make the experience rewarding from the first minute. Fiji has many such spots.

Castaway Island house reef (Mamanucas) is one of the finest beginner snorkelling locations in Fiji. The reef begins within 20 to 30 metres of the beach, the water is calm and protected, and the marine life is abundant and visible from the surface. The entry is sandy and gentle. For a first snorkelling experience, this is close to ideal. The resort provides complimentary snorkel equipment.

Plantation Island lagoon (Malolo Lailai, Mamanucas) offers a large, calm lagoon with a sandy bottom and scattered coral formations. The water is shallow (often less than two metres), the visibility is good, and the environment is protected from swell. It is less spectacular than some of the outer reef locations, but for a true beginner who wants calm, safe conditions, the Plantation lagoon is excellent.

Mana Island (Mamanucas) has a house reef accessible from the north beach that provides an outstanding beginner experience. The entry is straightforward, the reef is close to shore, and the fish life is rich. Mana also offers guided snorkelling tours that are well-suited to first-timers.

Naviti Resort reef (Coral Coast) is one of the best snorkelling options on the main island. The house reef is accessible from the beach at high tide and offers good coral coverage and fish life. The Coral Coast location means no boat transfer is required — you walk from your room to the beach to the reef.

Beachcomber Island (Mamanucas) is a popular day-trip destination with a surrounding reef that is easily accessible for beginners. The water is calm, the reef is shallow, and guided snorkelling is included in most day-trip packages. The day-trip format (departing from Denarau, approximately 45 minutes by boat) makes this a good option for visitors based on the main island.

The Yasawa Islands offer extraordinary snorkelling, but conditions vary significantly between sites. Some locations — particularly in the Sawa-i-Lau area and around the Blue Lagoon — are suitable for beginners in calm conditions. Others, particularly exposed outer-reef sites, are better suited to experienced snorkellers. If you are a beginner staying in the Yasawas, ask your resort to recommend the calmest, most accessible snorkelling spot and consider a guided excursion for your first outing.

Resort House Reefs Ranked by Difficulty

For snorkellers staying at resorts, the house reef — the reef accessible directly from the resort beach without a boat — determines the quality and convenience of your daily snorkelling. Here is a practical assessment of the major house reefs, ranked by accessibility for beginners.

Easy (suitable for complete beginners):

Plantation Island Resort — calm lagoon, sandy entry, shallow, protected
Radisson Blu Resort (Denarau) — limited coral but calm conditions, good for first attempts
Mana Island Resort — accessible reef from the north beach, calm conditions

Moderate (suitable for beginners with a brief practice session):

Castaway Island Resort — outstanding reef, slightly deeper than Plantation, gentle current possible
Tokoriki Island Resort — excellent reef, moderate depth, some current on the outer edge
Naviti Resort (Coral Coast) — good reef, best at high tide, some rocky entry points

More challenging (suitable for confident beginners or intermediate snorkellers):

Likuliku Lagoon Resort — reef drop-off relatively close to shore, deeper water
Yasawa Island Resort — outer reef with current, spectacular but requires comfort in open water
Beqa Lagoon — deeper water, stronger currents, best for experienced snorkellers or guided tours

The key takeaway for beginners: choose a resort with an easy or moderate house reef if daily snorkelling is a priority. The difference between a resort where you can wade into calm, shallow water over coral from the beach and one where the snorkelling requires a boat trip and confidence in deeper water is significant for a beginner’s enjoyment.

Guided Snorkelling Tours for Beginners

If the idea of snorkelling independently feels daunting, a guided tour is the solution. Fiji offers excellent guided snorkelling options designed specifically for beginners.

Resort-based guided snorkels are the easiest option. Most island resorts run daily guided snorkelling sessions — typically departing from the beach, led by an experienced guide, and lasting 60 to 90 minutes. The guide will show you how to use the equipment, stay with the group, point out marine life, and manage any difficulties. These are usually included in resort activity programmes or available for a small fee (FJD $30 to $60, or AUD $21 to $42 per person).

Day-trip snorkelling excursions from Denarau to the Mamanuca Islands are an excellent beginner option. Operators like South Sea Cruises and Awesome Adventures Fiji run day trips that include snorkelling stops, with equipment provided and guides available. Prices range from FJD $150 to $300 per person (AUD $105 to $210) depending on the itinerary and inclusions.

Specialist snorkelling tours to specific reef systems — the Manta Ray snorkelling in the Yasawas (seasonal, typically May to October), the Great Astrolabe Reef near Kadavu, and the Rainbow Reef between Taveuni and Vanua Levu — are available for travellers who want a more dedicated snorkelling experience. These tours are typically full-day excursions and, while accessible to beginners, are best enjoyed after you have had a practice session in calm water and are comfortable with the basic technique.

The honest recommendation for complete beginners: Spend your first snorkelling session at the resort house reef or in a calm lagoon, with or without a guide. Get comfortable with the mask, the breathing, and the sensation of floating face-down in the water. Once you are comfortable — which usually takes one session of 20 to 30 minutes — you will be ready to enjoy any guided tour and any beginner-friendly snorkelling site in Fiji.

What You Will See: Fish Identification Basics

Part of the pleasure of snorkelling is knowing what you are looking at. Fiji’s reefs host over a thousand species of fish and hundreds of species of coral. You do not need to learn them all, but recognising the most common and most distinctive species makes the experience significantly more engaging.

Clownfish (Amphiprion species): The orange-and-white fish made famous by the film Finding Nemo. In Fiji, you will most commonly see the Fiji clownfish, which has a darker orange body with two white bars. Clownfish always live in anemones — look for the waving tentacles of an anemone, and you will almost certainly find clownfish darting in and out. They are territorial and will sometimes swim toward you if you approach their anemone — this is defensive behaviour, not aggression.

Parrotfish (Scaridae family): Large, colourful fish with a distinctive beak-like mouth that they use to scrape algae from coral. Parrotfish are responsible for much of the white sand on Fiji’s beaches — they eat coral, digest the calcium carbonate, and excrete fine white sand. A single large parrotfish can produce over 300 kilograms of sand per year. You will see them in blue, green, turquoise, and pink varieties, often in groups, and you will hear them — the crunching sound of a parrotfish feeding on coral is audible underwater.

Surgeonfish (Acanthuridae family): The powder-blue tang (Dory from Finding Nemo) is a surgeonfish. Fiji’s reefs host several surgeonfish species, most easily recognised by their oval body shape, bright colours, and a sharp spine near the tail (the “scalpel” that gives them their name). They are common, colourful, and harmless to snorkellers.

Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae family): Small, flat, brightly patterned fish that are among the most photogenic reef inhabitants. Look for the distinctive black eye-bar across the face and the intricate patterns of yellow, white, black, and orange. Butterflyfish are almost always seen in pairs — they mate for life, and you will rarely see one without its partner nearby.

Giant clams (Tridacna species): Not a fish, but one of the most striking things you will see on a Fiji reef. Giant clams embed in the coral and display brilliantly coloured mantles — electric blue, green, purple, and gold — that are genuinely startling the first time you see one. They are harmless; the idea that a giant clam can trap a diver’s foot is a myth.

Sea turtles (Cheloniidae family): Green turtles and hawksbill turtles are present on many Fiji reefs. Sighting one while snorkelling is not guaranteed, but when it happens, it is the highlight of the trip. Turtles are calm and will often continue feeding or swimming nearby if you approach slowly and quietly. Maintain a distance of at least two metres and do not touch them.

Reef sharks: Small reef sharks — blacktip and whitetip species, typically 60 to 120 centimetres long — are present on many Fiji reefs. They are not dangerous to snorkellers. If you see one, you are fortunate — it indicates a healthy reef ecosystem. They will typically swim away from you. Do not chase them.

Soft corals: Fiji’s signature underwater feature. Unlike the hard, stony corals that form the reef structure, soft corals are flexible, feathery, and brilliantly coloured — reds, oranges, purples, yellows, and pinks. They wave gently in the current and create an underwater garden effect that is genuinely beautiful. The soft coral diversity in Fiji is among the highest in the world, and this is the thing that makes snorkelling here different from snorkelling almost anywhere else.

Reef Etiquette and Safety

Protecting the reef and protecting yourself are two sides of the same responsibility.

Do not touch the coral. This is the most important rule. Coral is a living organism, and touching it — even lightly — damages it. The oils on human skin are harmful to coral polyps, and standing on coral breaks structures that have taken decades or centuries to grow. Maintain a position above the reef without letting your fins, hands, or body come into contact with it. If the water is too shallow to float above the reef without touching, you are too close — back away to deeper water.

Do not touch marine life. Sea cucumbers, starfish, sea urchins, clams, and coral should all be left undisturbed. Do not pick up shells with living creatures inside. Do not chase or grab fish. The reef is their home; you are a visitor.

Use reef-safe sunscreen. Conventional sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are toxic to coral. Fiji’s reef systems are under pressure from climate change and ocean warming; adding chemical sunscreen runoff makes the problem worse. Use mineral-based sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) labelled as reef-safe. Apply it 30 minutes before entering the water so it absorbs into your skin rather than washing off immediately.

Be aware of currents. Even calm lagoons can have gentle currents, and reef passes (gaps in the reef where water flows between the lagoon and open ocean) can have strong currents. Ask your resort or guide where the currents are before you enter the water. If you feel yourself being pulled, do not swim against the current — swim perpendicular to it (parallel to the shore) until you are out of the current flow, then swim back to the beach.

Do not snorkel alone. Use the buddy system — snorkel with a partner and stay within visual contact. If something goes wrong (a cramp, equipment failure, a sudden current), having someone nearby who can assist or call for help is a basic safety measure.

Know your limits. If you are tired, cold, or uncomfortable, return to the beach. There is no obligation to continue. Snorkelling should be enjoyable, and fatigue increases the risk of difficulty in the water. A thirty-minute session that ends with you feeling good is better than an hour that ends with you exhausted and anxious.

Overcoming Fear of Water and Open Ocean

Fear of the ocean is common, reasonable, and entirely manageable. If you want to snorkel in Fiji but the idea of floating in open water makes you anxious, here is how to work through it.

Start in the pool. If your resort has a swimming pool, practice there first. Put on the mask and snorkel, stand in the shallow end, lean forward, and float with your face in the water. Breathe through the snorkel. Look at the pool floor. The controlled environment removes every variable except the sensation of mask-breathing, which is the single most important skill to get comfortable with.

Then move to ankle-deep water on the beach. Sit or kneel in water that is shin-deep. Put the mask on, lean forward, and look at the sandy bottom through the mask. Breathe through the snorkel. You are in no danger. You can sit up at any time. But you are experiencing the sensation of seeing underwater and breathing through the tube in the actual ocean.

Then wade to waist-deep water and float. This is where the real transition happens. In waist-deep water, you can float face-down and see whatever is below you — sand, seagrass, maybe a few small fish — while knowing that standing up puts your head above water immediately. Float for five minutes. Then ten. Then fifteen. Each minute builds confidence.

Consider a life jacket or snorkel vest. There is no shame in wearing a flotation vest while snorkelling. Many beginners and nervous swimmers use them, and they are available at most resorts. A snorkel vest provides buoyancy that keeps you on the surface without any effort, which frees your attention from staying afloat and allows you to focus entirely on what you are seeing below.

Go with a guide. A good snorkelling guide has seen hundreds of nervous beginners and knows exactly how to help. They will stay beside you, talk you through any anxiety, and adjust the experience to your comfort level. This is their job, and they are good at it. The small cost of a guided session (FJD $30 to $60, or AUD $21 to $42) is a very reasonable price for the difference it makes.

The most important thing to understand about snorkelling anxiety is that it almost always resolves after the first five to ten minutes in the water. The anticipation is worse than the experience. Once you are floating, breathing, and looking at a coral reef, the fear typically recedes and is replaced by genuine wonder. This is a near-universal experience reported by nervous beginners, and Fiji’s warm, clear, calm waters make the transition as gentle as it can be anywhere in the world.

Snorkelling with Kids: Age Guidelines and Gear

Snorkelling is one of the best family activities Fiji offers, and children typically take to it with less anxiety and more enthusiasm than adults. Here is the practical guidance for snorkelling with children of different ages.

Under 4 years: Too young for independent snorkelling. Children this age can enjoy the water — wading, splashing, sitting in shallow lagoon pools — and can look at the reef through a clear-bottomed bucket or a waterproof viewing box (available at some resorts). Some parents carry very young children while snorkelling, but this requires confidence in the water and a secure hold on the child.

Ages 4 to 6: Can begin using a mask and snorkel in very calm, very shallow water. Child-sized masks are essential — adult masks will not seal on a small face. A puddle jumper-style flotation device or a life jacket provides buoyancy and parental peace of mind. Keep sessions short (10 to 15 minutes) and in water where the child can stand. Supervision must be constant and direct.

Ages 6 to 10: Most children in this age range can snorkel independently in calm conditions after a brief practice session. Child-sized mask, snorkel, and short fins are the standard equipment. A snorkel vest is recommended for younger or less confident swimmers. Guided snorkelling tours that cater to families are ideal for this age group — the guide provides an extra level of safety and can point out interesting marine life that keeps children engaged.

Ages 10 and above: Can typically snorkel alongside adults in the same conditions and at the same sites. Equipment should still be sized appropriately (child or small-adult sizes), and the buddy system applies regardless of age.

Gear for kids: Buy a child-sized mask before you travel. Rental child masks at resorts are often limited in availability and poor in quality. A well-fitting child mask costs FJD $30 to $80 (AUD $21 to $56) and is the single most important investment for a child’s snorkelling experience. Snorkels and fins can be rented.

Gear Recommendations by Budget

Budget (FJD $60 to $120 / AUD $42 to $84 total): A basic mask-and-snorkel set from a reputable brand (Cressi, Mares, or TUSA) provides reliable quality at an accessible price. Skip the fins at this budget and rent them at the resort, or buy short, inexpensive travel fins. This setup is sufficient for a holiday snorkeller who will use the gear a few times a year.

Mid-range (FJD $150 to $300 / AUD $105 to $210 total): A higher-quality mask with a silicone skirt, a dry-top snorkel, and a pair of short-blade travel fins. Brands like Aqualung, Mares, and Cressi offer excellent mid-range sets. At this price point, the mask fit is better, the snorkel is more comfortable, and the fins are more efficient. This is the sweet spot for regular holiday snorkellers.

Premium (FJD $350 to $600 / AUD $245 to $420 total): A low-volume mask with tempered glass and a premium silicone skirt, a top-of-the-line dry snorkel, and high-quality full-foot or open-heel fins. Brands like Scubapro, Atomic Aquatics, and Mares (premium line) dominate this segment. This level of gear is worth the investment for dedicated snorkellers who travel frequently to tropical destinations.

Snorkelling vs Diving: Which Is Right for You?

Both snorkelling and scuba diving allow you to experience Fiji’s reefs, but they are fundamentally different activities, and understanding the difference helps you decide which to pursue — or whether to try both.

Snorkelling keeps you on the surface. You breathe through a tube, float face-down, and observe the reef from above. You are limited to seeing what is visible from the surface, typically the top two to three metres of the reef. The advantages: no certification required, no training beyond basic technique, minimal equipment, suitable for all ages and fitness levels, and you can do it independently whenever you want.

Scuba diving takes you underwater. You breathe from a tank, descend to the reef, and move among the coral and fish at their level. You can access depths of 10 to 30 metres (deeper with advanced certification), explore walls, caves, and shipwrecks, and encounter marine life that you cannot see from the surface. The requirements: certification (typically two to four days and FJD $900 to $1,500 / AUD $630 to $1,050 for an Open Water course in Fiji), or a Discover Scuba experience (one day, FJD $300 to $500 / AUD $210 to $350, which allows a supervised introductory dive without full certification).

For beginners with no underwater experience: Start with snorkelling. It is simpler, requires no training, and provides an immediate, low-barrier entry to the underwater world. If you find yourself wanting to go deeper — literally — after several snorkelling sessions, a Discover Scuba dive is an excellent next step. If the Discover Scuba experience captures you, you can pursue Open Water certification during the same trip or on a subsequent visit.

For confident swimmers who want more: Consider doing both. Snorkel from the beach daily and book one or two dives during the week. The snorkelling provides daily reef access without logistical overhead, and the dives provide the deeper, more immersive experience that snorkelling cannot replicate.

The honest comparison for Fiji specifically: Fiji’s reefs are spectacular from the surface. The soft coral gardens, the fish life, and the clarity of the water mean that snorkelling here is not a consolation prize for people who cannot dive — it is a genuinely world-class experience in its own right. Many visitors who come to Fiji intending to dive discover that the snorkelling is so good they spend more time with a mask and snorkel than with a tank. Start with snorkelling. You may not feel the need to go deeper.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am not a strong swimmer. Can I still snorkel in Fiji?

Yes. Snorkelling requires very little swimming ability — the fins do most of the work, and a flotation vest eliminates the need to tread water entirely. In calm, shallow lagoons (Plantation Island, Mana Island), you can snorkel in water that is chest-deep, with your feet touching the bottom whenever you choose. The key is choosing calm, protected locations rather than open-water sites.

Is snorkelling safe in Fiji?

Very safe, provided you follow basic precautions: use the buddy system, snorkel in areas recommended by your resort, stay within your comfort zone, and do not touch marine life. The main risks are sunburn (wear a rashguard and reef-safe sunscreen), minor coral scrapes (wear reef shoes in shallow areas), and fatigue (take breaks and do not overextend). Serious incidents are extremely rare.

What time of day is best for snorkelling in Fiji?

Early morning (7am to 10am) is generally best. The water is often calmest, the visibility is at its peak before afternoon winds stir sediment, and the UV exposure is lower than midday. Late afternoon (3pm to 5pm) is also good, with beautiful light and calmer conditions after the midday breeze drops. Avoid snorkelling during the middle of the day (11am to 2pm) when UV is strongest.

Do I need to worry about sharks while snorkelling?

Reef sharks (blacktip and whitetip species) are present on Fiji’s reefs but are not a danger to snorkellers. They are small (typically under 1.2 metres), non-aggressive, and will generally swim away from you. Seeing a reef shark while snorkelling is a sign of a healthy reef and something to appreciate rather than fear. Bull sharks, which are present in Beqa Lagoon, are found at depths well beyond snorkelling range and are encountered only by scuba divers on organised shark-dive excursions.

Can I wear contact lenses while snorkelling?

Yes, but there is a risk of losing them if your mask floods. Daily disposable contact lenses are the safest option — if water enters the mask and a lens is lost, the replacement cost is minimal. Alternatively, prescription snorkelling masks are available from dive shops and can be ordered online. If you cannot see the reef clearly, the experience is significantly diminished, so addressing vision correction is worth the effort.

Should I bring my own equipment or rent at the resort?

Bring your own mask if possible — the fit is everything, and rental masks are one-size-fits-most. Snorkels and fins can be rented at the resort without significant compromise. If you are planning a week of daily snorkelling, owning a quality mask-and-snorkel set is a worthwhile investment. If this is a one-time experience, renting the full set is fine.

By: Sarika Nand