How to Get Started Snorkeling with Kids
Snorkelling is one of the most magical ways to explore the natural world, and it’s even better when you can share the experience with your kids. Whether you’re planning a tropical vacation, heading to a nearby lake, or just want to build your child’s confidence in the water, teaching kids to snorkel can open up a whole new world of underwater adventure. In this post, Natalie James, a mom of two and longtime snorkelling enthusiast, shares how she taught her daughters to snorkel from a young age, along with practical, step-by-step tips to help your kids (or even yourself!) feel comfortable, safe, and excited about snorkelling.
Snorkelling Fun for Little Adventurers
Just before my first daughter was born, we moved to Mauritius, a tiny island off the coast of Africa. It’s almost completely surrounded by coral reef, with warm ocean water year-round. At eight months pregnant, I would bob along the surface, snorkelling blissfully with my very large belly weightless in the sea.
From that point on, we never stopped. From pregnancy to babies to toddlers to teens, snorkelling became part of our family rhythm.
In the years that we lived in Mauritius, snorkelling became one of our favourite family activities because it allowed each of us to experience the ocean in our own way but still be all together. My younger daughter would float happily on the top of the water in a life vest or inflatable tube, peering down into the water and watching the world below. While at the same time, my older daughter and my husband would dive down to explore the coral reef below.
A few years later, my sister gifted them a packet of waterproof UNO cards (honestly, worth every cent she paid). If you can find a set, I highly recommend them. My girls are now teenagers, and that same set still comes on every holiday with us. The cards aren’t designed to be snorkelled with, but that didn’t stop my girls from trying. They’d spend as much time underwater with their goggles on, making up games as they went. (See photo below.)
Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about how to teach kids to snorkel, and I’m always happy to share what worked for us. If you’re planning a beach holiday and want your little ones to feel confident in the water, these are the steps I’d recommend—starting small, staying playful, and keeping it fun all the way through.
How I Taught My Kids to Snorkel (And How You Can Too)
Teaching your kids to snorkel is one of those things that starts small but leads to big, beautiful adventures. There’s something magical about putting your face in the water and discovering a whole new world below the surface: colorful fish, coral reefs, swaying seaweed, and the soft hum of the underwater world.
Snorkelling is an incredible way for kids to connect with nature, build confidence in the water, and experience a sense of wonder and calm. It’s also an activity the whole family can enjoy together, side by side, while each person explores at their own pace.
And the best part? Learning to snorkel doesn’t need to happen on a tropical reef; it can start right at home.
Start Small (Really Small)
Snorkelling doesn’t have to begin in the ocean, surrounded by fish and seaweed brushing your legs. It can start right at home, in a bathtub or a shallow pool. The key is to keep it pressure-free and purely playful. Start small…like, bathtub-small.
Kids are naturally drawn to water and want to explore it. My one-year-old niece loves to dunk her face into the bath over and over again to rescue her sinking toy. No one tells her to do it, she’s just curious and determined. That’s where the snorkelling journey truly begins: getting used to water on their face without fear.
Goggles Come Next
As soon as we could find a pair that fit, our girls wore goggles constantly. The little swimming goggles that just cover the eyes (not the nose or mouth) are perfect for beginners. They also protect sensitive eyes from salt or chlorine water.
Even in the shallowest water, my girls would lie on their tummies, goggles on, faces submerged, watching their fingers wiggle or pretending to hunt for treasure. One of our friend’s daughters loved her pink goggles so much she wore them around the shopping mall – just to see how different life looked with them on.
The Mask Moment
Graduating to a snorkel mask feels like a big deal. It may feel strange at first, but if you give kids time to play and explore, they’ll adapt quickly.
Encourage them to hold their breath and dip their face underwater. Don’t rush it. Some kids will float on their tummies or hold onto the side of the pool just to stare at the tiles for ages. That’s perfect. It’s about building comfort, confidence, and curiosity.
In our house, snorkelling masks often made appearances during bike rides and superhero games. Sometimes there’s just no explaining a child’s imagination, but if it gets them used to wearing the gear, I’m all for it.
Snorkel Skills
This was the big leap. I found kid-sized snorkels with soft mouthpieces and clipped them to their masks so they stayed upright. At first, we floated alongside them, helping them practice breathing through the snorkel, which can be surprisingly tricky!
Breathing only through your mouth takes a little getting used to, especially while trying not to chew the mouthpiece. So we held them gently in the water, letting them fully focus on that one skill: breathe in, breathe out. No rush. Just floating, learning, and having fun.
Use Whatever Floats
From boogie boards to life vests and inflatable rings, anything that keeps little snorkelers comfortably afloat is a win. In those early days, there’s a lot of adjusting, gear gets fussy, masks need fixing, someone wants to hold your hand. A little extra buoyancy makes it easier for everyone.
When we were in the ocean, I always made sure the girls wore proper swimming life jackets, especially in the beginning. Eventually, they wanted to ditch the floats and swim more freely, but that confidence came gradually. We started them in shallow water, where they could always touch the ground if they needed to. That made all the difference.
Do You Really Need Snorkelling Fins?
Fins aren’t essential for beginners, but once kids get the hang of snorkelling, they often want to try everything, including fins. They’re great for helping kids swim farther with less effort, but they do take some practice.
Start in a pool or a calm, shallow spot. The trick with fins is that they require a long, sweeping movement from the hips, not the quick, bent-knee kicks most kids are used to. I tell mine to imagine the motion starting from the tips of their toes and moving all the way up to their hips—one long, flowing kick. Short fins are best for kids starting out, since they’re easier to control and less bulky than long ones.
What You’ll Need to Get Started Snorkeling with Kids
Here’s a quick list of basic snorkelling gear for kids:
- A well-fitting mask – It should seal snugly without leaking and have a clip or loop for the snorkel.
- A kid-sized snorkel – Look for a soft mouthpiece that’s easy to hold in the mouth.
- A full-face snorkel mask – These are great for beginners and come in smaller sizes for kids.
- Snorkelling fins (optional) – Start with short fins that fit securely and aren’t too long or stiff.
A rash guard or UV-protective swimsuit can also help protect from sunburn, lifejacket rubbing, and jellyfish stings, plus, bright colors make it easier to spot your child in the water.
Snorkeling Safety Tips for Kids
Snorkelling is a ton of fun, but it’s important to set some basic safety habits early on. Here’s what we do in our family:
Sun safety – Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to often-missed spots like the back of your neck, shoulders, and the backs of your legs. It’s easy to get burned when you’re face-down in the water for long stretches on a sunny day.
Never snorkel alone – We use the buddy system so that no one is ever out of sight. It’s easy to get distracted when exploring underwater, so we always check in with each other and stay close.
Wear bright colors – Swimsuits, rash guards, and snorkel gear in bright, bold colors help us spot each other quickly in the water.
What age can kids start snorkelling?
Most kids are ready to start exploring with snorkelling gear between ages 3–5, but there’s no perfect timeline (and it’s never too late to start). Some kids don’t take to it until they’re older, and plenty of adults learn for the first time on vacation!
Don’t worry, you haven’t missed a window. Just follow the steps in this post, go at your child’s pace, and focus on fun and comfort.
Are full-face snorkel masks safe for kids?
We don’t recommend full-face snorkel masks for children. While they’ve become popular in recent years, there have been serious safety concerns, including difficulty removing the mask if it fills with water and potential for CO₂ buildup in cheaper or poorly designed models. For kids, a traditional mouth snorkel and a separate, well-fitting eye mask are the safest options. Stick with trusted brands and supervise closely, especially in open water.
Where’s the best place to snorkel with kids?
You don’t need a coral reef or a tropical ocean to start snorkelling. The best places for kids are calm, shallow spots with clear water – anywhere they can see the bottom and feel safe. This might be a protected bay, a gentle beach lagoon, a clear freshwater lake, or even a shallow, slow-moving creek (or the swimming pool!). Choose a spot with low waves, good visibility, and a sandy or soft bottom, and let the exploring begin.
Final Thoughts on Snorkeling with Kids
Snorkelling has become one of our family’s most joyful shared experiences. It all started in the simplest way: no expectations, just curiosity, shallow water, and lots of fun.
If you’re heading somewhere by the sea, start in a pool first. Let your kids get comfortable with goggles, then a mask, and finally a snorkel. One small step at a time.
Remember, even just being in the sea can feel like a big, brave adventure for a child. Let them hold onto you, take their time, breathe slowly, and peek below the surface when they’re ready. Bit by bit, their courage will grow.
About the Author
Natalie is a photographer, adventurer, and mom to two teenage girls. She is passionate about getting outdoors and exploring. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Natalie has lived and traveled all over the world, experiencing firsthand the magic of nature and the freedom it brings to childhood and families.
Natalie’s Instagram: @natalie99james
Natalie’s Website: nataliejamesphotography.myportfolio.com
