How Can You Help Coral While Snorkeling in a Shallow Reef

 Who Are You Standing On?

Have you ever wondered who or what you might be stepping on when you walk into the ocean? Someone anxious to get into the ocean may say, “Look how shallow the water is. I can stand up if I have any problems while I am snorkeling. While it is comforting, it is not often thought about what, or who, they are standing on when they put their feet down. At the bottom is where the keiki (young) corals and other marine life live.

🎓 Snorkeling Without Training = Accidental Harm

Scuba divers get training. Part of that training includes how to be respectful to marine life and do no harm. Regretfully, snorkelers generally do not get any training before they go out to explore unless they hire a guide. This lack of awareness can lead to broken and damaged corals and marine life harassment. With a little knowledge, you can make a big difference. So, how can you be a better snorkeler?

🚫 Don’t Step on the “Rocks” — They’re Alive

If you rented your snorkel gear from a shop, you were probably given some guidelines on making sure the mask fits snugly and the fins fit properly. Doubtlessly, no one told you not to step on any of the corals or rocks while you are out in the reef. 

• Corals look pretty hardy, yet they are fragile. If the bottom looks like rocks or sand, we think it is safe to stand on. 
• Some animals such as fish, eels, and octopuses like to hide in the rocks and sand. 
• When we put our feet down, we might be stepping on an animal or baby coral trying to find a forever home to grow. We need to protect the reefs to help protect the oceans, including ourselves.

🐠 Look, Don’t Touch — and Move Gently

Another action we can take to be respectful is not to touch any marine life or corals. Give the fish, turtles, or other animals room to swim by and view from afar. While tempting to want to get that one great picture of that beautiful turtle or fish munching on the algae, they are not interested in having their picture taken if they are swimming away. Plenty of marine life is willing. 

• Try to keep still and be peaceful. 
• When you are quiet, you can hear the teeth of the fish scraping on the rock or coral as they take a bite of the algae! 
• When you are still, the fish are more apt to stick around you, too, as they are not feeling threatened. Big movements with a lot of kicking and splashing will scare the fish away. 
• How can you feel safe and be still and peaceful in the water?

🦺 Float to Protect — and Stay Safe

If you feel uncomfortable going into the water, to begin with, use a flotation device such as

• waist belt,
• life vest 
• swimming noodle 

That way, if you get tired, you can float using the device and not feel the need to stand. They are also nice to have if you need to make any adjustments to your mask or fins. The bottom line is to be a part of the reef, not the center of it.

📝 Final Thoughts: Be a Part of the Reef, Not the Center of It

One final thought. Kicking your feet or fins while vertical is akin to someone coming into your house with an air blower and blowing the surrounding dust. Also, be mindful of the tides. If the depth going over rocks or corals is shallow, it will be shallower during low tide. This means it will be harder to get back over without disturbing the inhabitants.

A hui ho! - Seascribe