If you are traveling anywhere that is anywhere near a beach, it is probably pretty likely that snorkeling is one of the biggest excursions that will be available to you. 

And if you are going with a group of people, they are all probably going to want to take advantage of the snorkeling opportunities.

But what if you don't know how to swim, or what if you just aren't that strong of a swimmer? Do you have to know how to swim to snorkel? 

The answer: No, of course you don't! It helps, but it is certainly not necessary. Here are three reasons why you can still snorkel even if you have no idea how to swim!

1. Floaties Are Your Best Friend

There are tons of floatation devices out on the market right now that come in just about every shape, size, or design you can think of. Noodles, life jackets, inflatable flamingos... the options are endless. 

That means snorkeling is not just for people who can swim, it's for anyone who can use a floatation device. Luckily, they are pretty easy to use.  

In many cases, the company hosting the snorkeling excursion will even provide different kinds of floaties to you since swimming or treading water is exhausting for most anyone who is not competing in the Olympics.

So sit back, relax, and float on to those awesome underwater views of vibrant fish and colorful coral reefs. 

2. Everything Is On the Surface

You don't need to dive deep into the water in order to see those fish or coral reefs, either. In most cases, everything you want to see is conveniently located right at the surface for you. 

What is important here though, is to make sure you have quality snorkeling gear to get those crystal clear views and easy water maneuverability.  

You have a lot of choices when it comes to that gear. Single-lens dive masks provide awesome panoramic views, while something like the Hydra Oval Dive Mask can give you a bit of a different fit while still providing an uninterrupted view of the ocean life beneath you. 

3. Be Comfortable

We know this bit of advice is a little broad, but honestly, it is probably the most useful advice anyone can give you when it comes to preparing yourself for your first snorkeling adventure as a non-swimmer. 

Being comfortable means two things: be comfortable with your surroundings, and be comfortable with your gear. 

Being comfortable with your surroundings can take some preparation time. Instead of jumping right into the snorkeling water, try giving your gear a test run in a pool or on the beach.  

It will alleviate a ton of anxiety and stress of trying to figure everything out for the first time when you should be focusing on enjoying yourself.

Being comfortable with your gear is a little more straightforward. You can go as big or as small as you want. After all, the only real essential to a snorkeling trip is a snorkeling set.

But if you wanted to get a little more into your trip and give yourself a little bit more of an enjoyable experience, there are other things you can try out as well.  

A wetsuit will definitely keep you warm if you are planning on exploring colder waters. But if you just need a little bit of protection against the sun or don't like the idea of things swimming up against your skin, a rash guard can get the job done as well. 

If you are looking to protect your feet, trying out a pair of water socks or water shoes can give you that extra layer of comfort.

So don't worry if you can't swim. You can still get out there on the water with the rest of them and have a great time exploring the gorgeous ocean views!