How to Snorkel: A Beginner’s Guide for Australian Beaches

Learning how to snorkel starts with three simple things: choose calm, supervised water, use a mask and snorkel that fit comfortably, and practise breathing in shallow water with a buddy before moving any farther from shore. You do not need to rush. A quiet first session is the best way to become comfortable with the equipment and enjoy what is below the surface.

This beginner’s guide explains how to fit your gear, breathe through a snorkel, enter the water and handle common problems at Australian beaches. It is general guidance, not a substitute for swimming instruction, local safety advice or a supervised lesson.

How to snorkel: the quick answer

1. Choose a calm, patrolled beach and read every safety sign.
2. Go with a capable buddy and agree to stay close together.
3. Check that your mask seals gently and your snorkel sits comfortably.
4. Practise breathing through the snorkel while standing or floating in sheltered, shallow water.
5. Put your face in the water, relax your breathing and float horizontally.
6. Use small, steady kicks rather than fast splashing movements.
7. Stay within your swimming ability and return to shore before you feel tired or cold.

If anything feels wrong—water in the snorkel, a leaking mask, shortness of breath, fatigue or changing conditions—lift your face, signal your buddy and leave the water. There is no need to “push through” discomfort.

What does a beginner need for snorkelling?

At minimum, you need a correctly fitting mask and a snorkel in good condition. Fins can make movement more efficient, but they should fit securely without pinching and you should practise using them in shallow water first. Depending on the location and water temperature, a rash vest or wetsuit may also be useful.

A low-profile mask can feel less bulky for a first session. Sunday Supply Co.’s Native Mask & Snorkel Set pairs a tempered-glass mask with a soft contoured silicone seal, an adjustable snorkel clip and a comfortable mouthpiece. Whatever equipment you use, inspect the straps, lens, mouthpiece and tube before entering the water.

Item	What to check	Why it matters
Mask	A gentle seal, clear lens and adjustable strap	Helps you see clearly without overtightening
Snorkel	Comfortable mouthpiece, clear tube and secure clip	Supports calm, natural breathing at the surface
Fins	Secure fit with no rubbing or sharp pressure	Helps you move with slow, controlled kicks
Sun and exposure protection	Suitable clothing and sun protection for the conditions	Helps you stay comfortable during the session

How should a snorkel mask fit?

A snorkel mask should make an even seal around your face without needing an extremely tight strap. Start with dry hair and a clean, dry mask skirt. Move hair away from the seal, place the mask gently against your face and breathe in lightly through your nose. If it stays in place for a moment without the strap, the shape is likely close to the right fit.

Once the strap is on, position it around the back of your head and tighten only enough to keep the mask steady. Overtightening can distort the silicone skirt and make leaking more likely. Facial hair, sunscreen on the seal or trapped hair can also create small gaps. For more detail, read our guide to choosing a snorkel mask and snorkel set.

How to breathe through a snorkel

Place the mouthpiece gently between your teeth, close your lips around it and breathe slowly through your mouth. Your jaw should feel relaxed; biting hard creates tension and makes the mouthpiece uncomfortable.

Practise before swimming. Stand in waist-deep, sheltered water with your buddy beside you, put your face down and take several calm breaths. Then try a supported float where you can stand immediately if needed. The sound and sensation of snorkel breathing can feel unfamiliar at first, so give yourself time to settle into a steady rhythm.

Do not deliberately hyperventilate or attempt breath-hold diving as part of a beginner session. If breathing becomes difficult or water enters the snorkel, raise your head and return to normal breathing above the surface. Once you are comfortable, you can reset your equipment and begin again.

A safe step-by-step first snorkelling session

1. Check the beach before getting changed

Look at the water, weather, wind, waves, currents and entry and exit points. Read the signs and speak to a lifeguard about local conditions. Surf Life Saving Australia explains that red and yellow flags identify the supervised swimming area; follow the current guidance on the Beachsafe flags and signs page. A location that looked suitable on an earlier visit may be different today.

2. Make a simple buddy plan

Never snorkel alone. Agree where you will enter and exit, how far you will go and how you will signal that you want to stop. Keep checking on each other rather than assuming your buddy is close behind. SafeWork NSW advises snorkellers to use a buddy, check weather and water conditions and stay within their comfort and skill level in its snorkelling safety guidance.

3. Fit and test everything on shore

Check the mask seal, adjust the strap and place the snorkel on the side that feels natural. The tube should sit upright when your face is in the water, and the mouthpiece should not pull at your jaw. If you are using fins, carry them to the water and put them on where you are stable rather than walking a long distance backwards.

4. Begin where you can stand

Enter slowly and spend a few minutes getting used to the water. Practise putting your face down, lifting it again and breathing through the snorkel without moving away. Sheltered, shallow water gives you an easy way to pause and adjust.

5. Float, look and move gently

Let the water support your body. Keep your head in a neutral position, look slightly forward and down, and use small kicks from the hips. Fast kicking wastes energy and can disturb sand, reducing visibility. Keep your hands relaxed by your sides unless you need them for balance.

6. Leave the water while you still feel comfortable

Turn back well before you feel tired. If the wind, swell, visibility or current changes, end the session. Use the exit point you agreed on, watch for slippery rocks and keep your mask on until you are stable on shore.

Common beginner snorkelling mistakes

• Choosing conditions that are too ambitious. Start with calm, sheltered, shallow water and local supervision.
• Tightening the mask too much. A light, even seal usually works better than excessive strap pressure.
• Holding the snorkel mouthpiece too firmly. Relax your jaw and keep your breathing slow.
• Kicking quickly. Small, steady kicks conserve energy and keep the water clearer.
• Ignoring early discomfort. Surface, communicate with your buddy and leave the water if you feel uneasy.
• Touching marine life. Observe from a respectful distance and leave animals, coral, shells and plants where they are.

A simple plan for your first snorkel

Keep the first outing short and low-pressure. Spend five minutes fitting your equipment on shore, five minutes practising breathing where you can stand, then take a brief swim parallel to the shore while remaining close to your buddy. Pause often. If you finish wanting a little more time in the water, that is a better result than staying out until you are exhausted.

Before your next outing, rinse your equipment in fresh water, allow it to dry out of direct sun and check it again for wear. Confidence grows through calm, repeatable sessions rather than one big adventure.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel?

You should be confident in the water and able to manage the conditions you enter. If you are not a confident swimmer, do not snorkel independently. Choose a professionally supervised lesson or tour and ask about an appropriate flotation device and the support available.

How do you stop a snorkel mask from leaking?

Check that hair is clear of the seal, the skirt sits evenly on clean skin and the strap is not overtightened. A leak that continues after adjustment may mean the mask shape is not right for your face.

What should you do if water enters the snorkel?

For a beginner, the simplest response is to lift your face out of the water, breathe normally, signal your buddy and clear or reposition the snorkel while upright. Resume only when you feel settled.

Can you snorkel alone at a calm beach?

No. Conditions and personal comfort can change quickly, even when the surface looks calm. Go with a capable buddy, stay close together and follow local safety advice.

Ready for a calmer first session?

Learning how to snorkel is mostly about choosing the right conditions, becoming comfortable with your gear and moving at an unhurried pace. Start shallow, stay with your buddy and make each decision based on the water in front of you.

Explore our new beach arrivals, including the Native Mask & Snorkel Set, and prepare for a simple first session by the sea.