novice snorkeling

Hey guys, how are ya?

 

Ive been really wanting to get Into snorkeling and with all this warm weather I thought id give it a wurl this weekend! The only thing is I have absolutely no idea where to start. Where would be a good spot for a novice to start? And maybe you could tell me some spots to see magnificent sea life while snorkeling? 

 

Thanks people! Any and all advice you give is greatly appreciated. 


Habanero's picture

Posts: 225

Date Joined: 19/06/12

Area

Tue, 2013-11-19 14:16

Where are you based? or prepared to travel to?

Posts: 172

Date Joined: 03/07/13

rockingham beach near mangles

Tue, 2013-11-19 14:18

rockingham beach near mangles bay

Posts: 326

Date Joined: 18/10/10

Mettams pool

Tue, 2013-11-19 15:17

 If you are north of the river

quadfisher's picture

Posts: 1145

Date Joined: 28/09/10

cockburn sound, very very shallow! haha.

Tue, 2013-11-19 16:28

We tend to go after xmas as theres still a few things with teeth around this time of the year

not trying to put you off , but just making you aware.

However there are some great spots to snorkel all around the sound,

Theres woodies ( always a lee side from the wind) around wapet groyne ( rocks groynes and weed beds),  rockingham ( beach and weed beds),

mangles bay area ( weed beds ,boat moorings , point perron ( weed beds , reefs , rocks).

The sound is still closed for crabs, and the occys are usualy too small atm, so its more for a look rather than a feed.

good luck, see you out there ( after xmas).

 

____________________________________________________________________________

quadfisher

Posts: 30

Date Joined: 27/10/13

 im located in joondalup but

Wed, 2013-11-20 07:09

 im located in joondalup but will definitely travel if I need too!

 

Thanks for the advice, rockingham seems to be the place to do it. Might go have a look this weekend

milsey's picture

Posts: 1462

Date Joined: 22/08/07

 Heaps to see up around trigg

Wed, 2013-11-20 08:21

 Heaps to see up around trigg and hillarys, i wouldn't bother driving to woodies from up there. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mettam%27s_Pool_Oct_2007.JPG

I havent been in here but it looks the goods, just dont go when it's onshore as the vis will be down.

scere_182's picture

Posts: 335

Date Joined: 27/01/09

 sandy cape in jurien

Wed, 2013-11-20 09:01

 sandy cape in jurien

____________________________________________________________________________

Rob

building designer | architectural draftsman

https://www.facebook.com/robertsceresinidesigns/

tailor marc's picture

Posts: 2979

Date Joined: 27/09/06

Take it from me, i have been

Wed, 2013-11-20 09:43

Take it from me, i have been snorkling all around mettems, woodies , yanchep lagoon and NOTHING is as crystal clear as Rotto. ALOT more to see and alot more calmer bays erc. Little salmon bay, little parakeet, the Basin etc my favs...

 I know its expensive but such a great day out!!!!

 


Rottnest Island, Western Australia by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


Hmmmm where shall i snorkle today??? by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


The Basin, Rottnest Island, Western Australia by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


The "Shark" Shipwreck. Ran aground 1939 Rottnest Island by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


One of the many secluded bays all to yourself, Rottnest Island by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


Rottnest Island, Western Australia by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


My natural swimming pool , Rottnest Island, Westen Australia by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


Little Parakeet Bay, Rottnest Island, Western Australia by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


The Basin, Rottnest island by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


Crystal clear waters of Rottnest Island by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr


Porpoise bay, Rottnest Island W.A by Marc Russo (Australia), on Flickr

____________________________________________________________________________

My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/

 

 

tailor marc's picture

Posts: 2979

Date Joined: 27/09/06

Little vid my mrs made, some

Wed, 2013-11-20 09:46

Little vid my mrs made, some of the snorkling is on this vid aswell...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LrqVy4Lmuw

 

____________________________________________________________________________

My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/

 

 

Posts: 30

Date Joined: 27/10/13

 wow! That looks phenomenal!

Wed, 2013-11-20 10:12

 wow! That looks phenomenal! I will explore a bit of the metro area to get some confidence and what not then definitely need to get over to rotto to check it out.

As I'm really new to all this I meed a mask snorkel, any suggestions with brands/types ect.?

tailor marc's picture

Posts: 2979

Date Joined: 27/09/06

Yeah Mettams is my fav little

Wed, 2013-11-20 10:16

Yeah Mettams is my fav little spot to go but also check out yanchep lagoon :)

____________________________________________________________________________

My photography pictures... http://westernhorizonsmedia.wordpress.com/

 

 

Matt T's picture

Posts: 875

Date Joined: 19/11/07

Rotto

Wed, 2013-11-20 10:43

Yes, rotto is pretty amazing, but mettams pool down at trigg is pretty good too. Re gear, all you really need is a mask and snorkle, but it makes it heaps easier with some good fins and even a wettie and weights once you start diving down.

With your mask just fnd one that is comfortable and fits your face - black silicone is my favorite - and make sure your snorkle has a purge valve.

quadfisher's picture

Posts: 1145

Date Joined: 28/09/10

Start slow

Wed, 2013-11-20 12:51

hey fellas dont forget he said hes a novice , with no gear even, so he needs some where dead calm

and sheltered, and marc , rotto is good , but it dont always look like that!

And the big reef holes along the main reef at yancep , to the south of the lagoon are great , but you need to go on a

real small variation in tide day , and at the bottom of the tide , so theres almost no movement.

Having only got back into diving after being away for a few years , and teaching the girls to snorkle, I know

it can be unsettling to try to much too soon.It takes a little while to feel comfortable with the gear, the weed , the dark rocks , etc etc.

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________

quadfisher

Posts: 75

Date Joined: 26/11/12

 The reef just north of

Wed, 2013-11-20 13:01

 The reef just north of Mindarie marina isn't bad. Offshore wind is better. There is a fair bit to explore and when the viz is good it's pretty neat. 

Posts: 30

Date Joined: 27/10/13

 your on the money

Wed, 2013-11-20 13:07

 your on the money quadfisher! I plan on starting easy, nice and slow. Its fantastic getting all this info! The more the better really...

Posts: 146

Date Joined: 25/09/08

Swim Test

Wed, 2013-11-20 19:22

Many years ago I used to train people to dive,the very first thing I got them to do was Swim 200 mtrs,none stop,no mask/fins,then 100,on their back,these done with no tough time constrant but No stopping,then 50 mtrs wearing a 5 kilo weight belt ,once more just bathers,then float on their back for 5 mins tread water for 5 mins hands ubove surface.then duck dive for an object on the bottom in 3 mtrs (We used 5 mtrs) This was all done in one session,most passed easy.smokers,not so easy?.

Then,the next time (day) I would make them swim with basic gear,Mask,snorkle,fins,W/ belt,10kilos 200 mtrs,100mtr on the back mask on,breathing through mouth,100mtrs surface tow,(helping another diver,with cramp or whatever) wearing basic gear. then surface swim no mask 200mts,just fins,duck dive for objects offf bottom.I would also have first aid instruction,between .just basic Expired air,closed chest comppression.a bit of trauma stuff. Out of the 60 plus divers I personaly trained Not one had a bad out come

this was a prerequset prior to commencing tank training,but,at the end of this Swimmer Training,the people were fairly competent in the water,with their own ability,

You have not said how much swimming you have done,so I would ask you visit your local GP for a basic physical,Blood presure,heart you are  doing a reasonible excersice,so you should do it safely. every year tourist's particularly on the Great barrier Reef get into dificulty as snorkeling is so easy but not for the un- preparred.

If you are in Joondalup area,the Swimming pool  near the shopping center,also the Craigie on Whitfords ave are a good place to test you'r self

Posts: 30

Date Joined: 27/10/13

im 21 and in great physical

Wed, 2013-11-20 21:09

im 21 and in great physical condition.

Posts: 146

Date Joined: 25/09/08

Great

Thu, 2013-11-21 18:32

At the ripe old age of 21 all you need do is the pool work lead up,I am sure it will not be a problem,but in doing so,it will improve you'r confidence.