Vacationing close to water bodies is a refreshing and exhilarating way of spending your holiday. From swimming and snorkeling to other thrilling water-centric activities, you are certainly in for an unforgettable experience. However, you should prepare well to enjoy a safe and stress-free holiday. Apart from creating an itinerary, getting travel insurance, and other general vacation planning tips, below are specific things to do before embarking on this special vacation.

Preparing For Water-Based Activities

1. Research Your Destination

You should research your destination before planning water-based activities for your vacation. Fortunately, this information is easily available from travel guides, online forums, and official tourism sites. For instance, if you intend to go snorkeling in Key West, you should find out the best spots and general snorkeling experiences shared by other travelers.

Your research should also include the specific water bodies, be it a lake, beach, or river, you intend to visit. Learn more about the water temperatures, currents, visibility, and potential hazards, such as rip tides or currents. Most destinations have designated areas or swimming zones for different water activities.

2. Check Weather Forecasts

Checking the weather forecast should be a priority when planning all trips. Weather conditions can make it impossible for you to enjoy the waters. Pay close attention to local updates and forecasts from the met department.

If you are headed to the beach, tides are crucial for most water activities, so be sure to find out the best tide times for snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. However, you should abort planned activities if there’s a predicted storm or adverse conditions.

3. Pack Appropriate Gear

You should also pack appropriate gear for your vacation. Carrying the right equipment allows you to engage in various activities safely and comfortably. Important things to bring along include:

• Swimming gear: Choose fitting swimwear for various water activities. Women should carry comfortable one-piece swimsuits or bikinis for snorkeling and paddleboarding. Men should bring board shorts and swim trunks. Your swim gear should include water shoes to protect your feet from coral rocks and shells.
• Snorkeling gear: Bring your snorkel, fins, and mask if snorkeling is on your to-do list. Know how to use them before diving.
• Waterproof phone case: A waterproof case allows you to record your underwater activities safely.
• A life jacket or PFD: Even if you are a pro swimmer, you should have a life jacket or personal floatation device nearby. These are for safety purposes, especially when boating, kayaking, or trying new activities.

4. Respect Marine Life

You should also learn about marine life and how you enjoy the waters while preserving their existence. For this:

• Maintain distance from marine life: Don’t touch or disturb marine animals when diving or snorkeling. Swimming close to marine life can damage their habitat or cause stress.
• Don’t feed wildlife: Like in parks, you shouldn’t feed marine animals. Doing this is unhealthy and disrupts their natural feeding behavior.
• Proper waste disposal: Don’t litter along the beach. Your trash will be washed into the ocean, potentially harming marine life.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen: Avoid sunscreens with chemicals that can harm coral reefs.

Endnote

Preparing for water-based activities during your vacation requires researching the destination, packing the right gear, and learning how to protect marine life. These tips can help you enjoy your holiday and the beauty of water safely and responsibly.