Male robins serenade prospective mates with courtship calls as I sit on my little apartment balcony enjoying the smell of shoe polish (perhaps a bit too much!) The old pair of boots were scuffed and dusty, but after a couple hours worth of old-fashioned elbow grease, and a new pair of laces, they looked even better than their original unboxing! Spring is a time of newness; new life, new aspirations, new projects. Yet the boots reminded me that spring is also a time of restoration and … [Read more...] about May Round-Up: Snorkeling and Eco-Travel!
Articles from 2019
A Quick Guide to Eco-Snorkeling Tours
What to look for and recommendations (operators, programs, locales) How did you come to love snorkeling? If your first time snorkeling is coming up, what made you decide to try it? Was it to check out the beauty of coral reefs first-hand while you still have the chance? Or perhaps it was to see a whale shark with your own two eyes? I bet your reasons for choosing snorkeling have at least something to do with experiencing the majesty of ocean ecosystems and sea life. That was … [Read more...] about A Quick Guide to Eco-Snorkeling Tours
Ethical Snorkeling: Does Your Snorkel Tour Put Ocean Conservation First?
One quick test to find out if your snorkeling tour operator deserves your business! The world seems to get more complicated every year, doesn’t it? When it comes to the choices we make as consumers, it’s stressful to always be wondering if we are making the healthiest, most ethical choices. How was my seafood caught? Were the workers who made my new jeans paid and treated fairly? Do I need to worry about pesticides on these fresh berries? The same kinds of questions also apply to … [Read more...] about Ethical Snorkeling: Does Your Snorkel Tour Put Ocean Conservation First?
Responsible Snorkeling: 10 Tips for a Safe and Sustainable Trip
So, you’ve got a nice tropical vacation lined up and you’re hoping to fit in some snorkeling. Who among us water lovers wouldn’t? But now you’re reading the news and learning about the latest scientific report on the dire state of the world’s oceans. Perhaps you’re wondering, is snorkeling contributing to this degradation? Are all those hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting coral reefs each year just making things worse? Every day, more folks are becoming mindful about the … [Read more...] about Responsible Snorkeling: 10 Tips for a Safe and Sustainable Trip
How to Choose a Mask and Snorkel That Suits Your Face and Ability (Part 3)
Which kind of snorkel is best for you? This article is Part 3 of my epic series on buying your own mask and snorkel for your next snorkeling trip! In this part, you'll learn how to choose a snorkel. Part 1: The right mindset, where to buy, and recommended mask and snorkel combo sets for beginners Part 2: What to look for in a snorkel mask, plus recommendations for different face shapes (You're here!) Part 3: How to decide if you should get a classic, semi-dry, or dry snorkel, plus … [Read more...] about How to Choose a Mask and Snorkel That Suits Your Face and Ability (Part 3)