I learned to Scuba Dive in Anilao Batangas before I could snorkel. I learned to see them up close before I missed seeing them up close. I disregarded the equipment and the gearing up to be able to scuba dive again, because I was a scuba diver first and I knew why I chose to stick to scuba diving.
If you love snorkeling and are looking to scuba dive, continue reading. If you don’t enjoy the underwater world, I suggest to still read on, you just might see why it is beneficial to both you and your hidden neighbors.
Snorkeling vs Scuba Diving Difference #1: Air Supply
SCUBA…Self Contained Breathing Apparatus…. the phenomenon why we Scuba divers can stay underwater longer than any diver can, well besides submariners. We carry it on our backs, or for some on the side of their bodies (sidemounted) and breath air from the tank through the regulator mouthpiece attached to a sturdy hose.
Snorkelers rely on the earth’s atmospheric air through a tube that needs to be above water, or only semi-submerged so water won’t go in the tube.
Snorkeling vs Scuba Diving Difference #2: Equipment
Scuba Divers and Snorkelers use the same Mask, Snorkel, Fins and Exposure suit (wetsuit). You see, snorkelers and scuba divers should be wearing the same standard mask, snorkel and fins. Sadly most snorkelers buy substandard equipment that ends up in the trash after a couple of use. You will never appreciate how the underwater world looks if you use a filmy mask that just wont stay clear.
Invest in good equipment. Most snorkelers don’t know that a good pair of fins will keep you safe from strong waves and currents, help you easily move around the water, and lessen the strain on your body.
I will also recommend to always wear an exposure suit. There are exposure suits or wet suits that will keep you buoyant, which means you will stay afloat no matter how unfloatable or unbuoyant you are, lesser chances of drowning. An exposure suit will also lessen chances getting scrapes and injuries caused by jellyfish, fire corals and other marine animals that may seem cute but can be harmful.
Scuba divers wear a lot of equipment its a sad fact that turned a lot of us to snorkeling. You are one with the sea as they say. A lot of snorkelers would post their bikini photos and even mermaid photos and us scuba divers would go aaah such beautiful curves, because we look like star trek borgs. Speaking of Sci fi flicks…..
Fun fact: the Star Wars production team used a scuba regulator to create Darth Vader’s creepy, ominous breathing.
Scuba regulators is the snorkeling equivalent of the tube, only it is attached to a scuba cylinder or air tank filled with compressed air that allows more longer submerged time and deeper dives.
Scuba buoyancy control device or BCD is the snorkeled equivalent of the floater only it allows you to deflate it so you can go deeper without touching anything underwater and inflate if you want to float above water. Just like flying. Although some divers do not need BCD, they can control how they move underwater through their natural diaphragm.
That is called Buoyancy Control. As an Underwater Ambassador, you must keep in mind that those reefs and even that tiny rock have trillions of living creatures, so scuba diving without touching anything is an important rule in both scuba diving and snorkeling even free diving.
Snorkeling vs Scuba Diving Difference #3: Maximum Depth
Now here is the huge difference. On average snorkelers can swim down 3-4 meters (12-15 feet). Much Experienced snorkelers may reach 7 meters (25 feet) case in point the student in My Octopus Teacher. I even watched youtube videos of Snorkelers going down to Cathedral Dive site in Anilao Batangas. A site I know to be around 30 to 40 feet or 10 to 15 meters. How they are able to do it is worrisome more than anything.
Open water Scuba Divers are allowed as deep as 60 feet or 18 Meters while an Advanced Open water Scuba Diver will be certified to up to 40 Meters or 130 Feet which requires thorough training.
Snorkeling vs Scuba Diving Difference #4: What You Get to See
One of the major advantages of scuba diving is how much more of the underwater world you get to see. Unlike snorkeling, you’re not limited by how long you can hold your breath. You can explore deeper and stay longer, which means you can:
- Wait for an octopus to come out of its hole
- Watch color-changing cuttlefish put on a show
- Experience a manta ray ballet
- See a turtle get its shell cleaned
Snorkeling vs Scuba Diving Difference #5: Training Time and Cost to Get Started
If you already know how to swim, learning to snorkel is fairly easy. People of all ages can master basic snorkeling skills in 30 minutes or less.
Learning to scuba dive requires at least three (typically four) days of in-water training. There is also a home study component that covers scuba diving terminology, explains buoyancy and other scuba diving essentials. The vast majority of dive students use PADI’s interactive online training program PADI eLearning®. The home study and in-water training require a minimum of four days; upon completion, you receive an Open Water Diver certification (which is good for life).
Snorkeling vs Scuba Diving Difference #6: Spontaneity
Snorkeling takes very little planning or preparation. All you need to do is throw your snorkel set in a bag with a rashguard or some reef safe sunscreen and you’re ready to go. You can pop in and out of the water as often as you like.
Scuba diving takes a bit more preparation because of the equipment required. You also can’t fly in an airplane within 18-24 hours of scuba diving and surface intervals are required between dives. Lastly, while people of all ages and abilities enjoy scuba diving, people with certain medical conditions may need a doctor’s approval to dive.
Ready to Dive In?
- Read more about what you need to know about going from snorkeler to scuba diver.
- Start your Open Water Diver training online
- You can also try our DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING before you commit to a class, sign up for a FULL day Discover Scuba Diving® Experience. here
Have questions?