Gear up my fellow explorers to see a new world through snorkeling. New discoveries are waiting for you just below the surface of the glimmering cool water. Depending on where you are you will see all sorts of fish (my favorites are sharks and stingrays) and sometimes coral reefs, shells, and sunken ships.

Once your head is in the water it is quiet and serene, and you literally seem to leave your world behind.

Don’t rule this out if you have some claustrophobic concerns. My late wife, Jill, had claustrophobia and at first it was a challenge for her. But, with me by her side holding her hand, she began to realize all she had to do was lift her head to see the vastness above the water.

So, give it a try, and remember you can do this in short intervals like any mammal coming up for air. You lift your head up and see around you above the water, and then you’re good for a few more minutes of underwater excitement.

Also, it helps that many of the new snorkel masks are designed with great peripheral vision capabilities. These masks seal on your face comfortably, and the snorkel is soft and pliable in your mouth allowing a good seal with your lips to keep the water out. The new snorkels have a float valve that prevents water from coming down the tube.

(See more in this video clip.)

The flippers have also changed for snorkeling. The older flippers or those I use for scuba diving are large and heavy; newer flippers for snorkeling are light and small yet propel you quickly through the water without much splashing. Also, the new inflatable swim vests are light, colorful, and keep you close to the surface with no effort. They are so good that if I want to hold my breath and dive deeper, I cannot wear one as they won’t let me go under the water no matter how hard I try. These vests are secured close to your body with straps around your torso and legs.

At some resorts and beaches, they will require you to wear one of their life jackets if you do not have your own. Note these borrowed life jackets are typically secured with a strap down your back and up between your legs, which is not as comfortable as you might want.

All this snorkel gear is quite compact — between the mask, snorkel, fins, and vest, it will all fit in your small suitcase and yes, there will still be room for your clothes. If you are not wearing a vest and wish for a moment to dive a little deeper with your snorkel gear, remember to hold your breath and when you come up push that air out of your breathing tube and be a swimming mammal, clearing your airway to swim and view more wonders. Put sunscreen on your shoulders and back, for they will be exposed to the sun the whole time you’re doing this activity.

I also put my St. Christopher’s medal in a sealed pocket of my swimming trunks. Why, you ask?

Well, no one ever suggested it, but I figured it out myself on one of my dives as the shiny metal dangling from my neck attracted a large barracuda which made three passes at me, each a little closer than the last. His eye had caught sight of my medal which to him was a fishing lure or small fish. I took it off and dove again and was not bothered by this predator who was swimming the same reef that I was.

By the way, he looked very happy with his barracuda smile and all those shiny teeth which look quite big underwater. If you did not know, water will magnify what you see, and things do look bigger than they really are.

But wait, there is more you can do. My wife, Amanda, has an underwater camera. We have both taken an underwater scuba camera course, which helps you understand how to take decent pictures underwater. I recommend you take a course if possible, as it helps you learn to take better pictures of what you see and each other. Just one unique personal picture will allow you to remember the whole adventure.

Take it one splash at a time, and enjoy yourself! For more activity suggestions go to StillAliveAndKicking.org.

Keep in Mind: “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” (Napoleon Hill)