A Brief History of Snorkeling

If you think that snorkeling is an adventure sport that was invented in the 20^th century, think again. It has a long history, stretching back over 5,000 years. From its primitive and dangerous beginnings, snorkeling has now evolved into a safe and highly enjoyable adventure sport.

The Beginnings 

There is evidence that the earliest known divers, the sponge farmers on the island of Crete, used a basic form of snorkeling as far back as 3,000 BCE. With no manufactured tubes or pipes available, they used hollow reeds to allow them to breathe while underwater. The next evidence of attempts to prolong the time man could spend under the surface is from about 2,000 years later, circa 900BCE. A bas relief of this period shows that Assyrian divers filled animal skins with air and carried these down with them to provide a supply of air while they were underwater. 

Deep Sea Inventions

The ancient Greeks were the first to actually fabricate equipment that allowed people to extend the time spent underwater. In the 3^rd century BCE, Alexander the Great was known to have supported the development of a diving bell, a massive device that trapped a pocket of air within it as it was lowered into the water. Divers could go below the surface in the bell, swim out of it and return to get more air before venturing out again. By removing the need to return to the surface to breathe, the overall time spent underwater increased dramatically. 

Although diving bells allowed people to spend more time underwear, they did not actually allow people to breathe while swimming. That was still limited to a tube connected to the surface. The main drawbacks were that the range of movement was limited to the length of the tube and the increased pressure underwater made sucking in air difficult. 

Snorkeling Today

The invention of the self-contained underwater, pressurized air pump in 1771, by John Smeaton, an engineer and an inventor, enabled the divers to stay underwater, for extended periods of time. Between 1912 and 1930, the modern day fins and waterproof goggles were invented. Materials like rubber and plastic were then used in the making of the masks, which were manufactured to give a proper fit and prevent any leaking of water. 

Snorkeling equipment continue to be upgraded constantly making the gear, resistant to ocean waters and enabling better vision underwater.

From being a specialized and dangerous exercise that required special training, snorkeling today is something that needs only the ability to swim and the availability of simple snorkeling equipment. Consequently, Snorkeling is an adventure sport enjoyed all over the world.

The Best Snorkeling Spots

The best snorkeling locations in the world have 3 things in common – crystal clear waters, a wide variety of indigenous marine life, corals and temperate climates. Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include the Bimini Islands in the Bahamas, Salt Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bunaken National Marine Park in Indonesia, Rurutu in French Polynesia, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and Fiji. To the west the beautiful islands of Hawaii are a popular destination for snorkeling adventure sports.The abundantnatural beauty, rainforests, volcanoes and island life, draws multitudes to this spot. Hawaii is full of great snorkeling locations. Among the best known are:

• Hanauma Bay, Oahu
• Makaha Beach Park, Oahu
• Molokini Crater, Maui
• Kealakekua Bay, Big Island
• Ke'e Beach Park, Kauai
• Kapalua Bay, Maui
• Anini Beach, Kauai
• Kapiolani Park Beach, Oahu
• Poipu Beach, Kauai
• Kahaluu Beach Park, Big Island

Well-equipped Charter Boats, with trained and experienced crews, ply between all the snorkeling spots on the Islands of Hawaii, every day.