What to Bring on a Snorkeling Trip? Viewpoint from an Amateur

I am not an expert when it comes to snorkeling but the two full days of experience at Krabi had taught me that certain items are necessary to make the underwater expedition more fun.

The following list shall serve as a reminder and also as a point of reference whenever i feel like swimming with the oceanic creatures again. Honestly, the marvelous time i spent in Krabi is greatly missed even though it was more than half a year ago! 

Miscellaneous

Let's begin with the basic stuff; swimsuit, sunscreen lotion (recommended spray on) with a high level of SPF and UVA, a bath towel (smuggle it out from the hotel and ensure you don't lose it) to dry yourself and keep you warm on the boat, and a clean set of clothing should you be a clean freak.  

Contact Lens

Don't let spectacles hinder the snorkeling adventure! The snorkel mask would not be able to accommodate your spectacles and what's the point of going into the water when shortsightedness deters you from looking beyond a few meters! Get the daily contact lens if you are prone to eye infection like myself. 

Crocs Shoes with Strap

Despite the ugly tag bestowed by fashionistas, these infamous foam clogs are a "must-bring" for snorkeling! Alex wore Crocs for the entire Krabi trip and i was so envious; no matter how strong the current, his thick-soled Crocs remained strapped to his feet and even if he accidentally removed them while snorkeling, his Crocs will never sink into the water. 

Snorkel Mask Set

You can put on your branded swimming goggles although the snorkel mask provides a better fit and the usual addition of a purge valve (the water spout) allows me to stay under the water for a longer period of time. 

Life Jacket

Some of us hate the naked feeling of being in the water and stepping on nothing! Trust me; that feeling can be quite scary, especially when you have been exposed to the movies "Jaws" or "鬼拉脚 " in your childhood. 

Oh, life jackets would be damn helpful if you are a weak and/or lazy swimmer. 

Waterproof Bag

Hallo, you are surrounded by water and water splashes are almost inevitable! Invest in a waterproof bag like the above that can be found in most shops in Krabi (not sure if they are available elsewhere) and came in many sizes to suit your needs. My needs are simple; to keep my wallet, iPhone and DSLR safe.

Underwater Camera

Trigger-happy folks should not hold themselves back from buying an underwater camera! Nothing beats taking memorable pictures of the exceptionally beautiful underwater world. *i purchased the above Olympus underwater camera recently for less than S$200!*

Waterproof Pouch

For your valuables like wallet or even mobile phones! 

Thanks to it, I managed to take underwater pictures using my iPhone even though the quality is generally pretty sucky. The use of touchscreen also makes it extremely difficult to focus and shoot. 

Loaf of Bread

Can you imagine the enjoyment of having hundreds of fishes surrounding you as if you are king of the ocean? 

That's only attainable when you have a piece of bread in your hand. Therefore, buy a loaf (or loaves) of bread before you start your amazing journey!