Snorkeling is the easiest way to see what lives under the surface. You float face down with a mask over your eyes and nose, breathe through a short tube, and kick slowly with fins while fish, rocks, coral and sea grass drift by beneath you. There's no certification and almost no training, and some of the best spots are calm, shallow water right off a beach.

Good snorkeling needs clear water and something to look at: reefs, rocky points, kelp, jetties, sheltered coves and protected marine areas. Calm mornings usually beat windy afternoons, because chop stirs up the sand and clouds the water. Clear lakes and springs can be worth a look, too, and boat tours in warm-water destinations will take you out to reefs you couldn't reach from shore.

The Date Activity

Snorkeling makes a relaxed vacation date or a perfect summer day at the coast. It's quiet, which is part of the charm: you point things out with a tap on the shoulder and save the talking for when you come up. Swim side by side and keep an eye on each other, because the buddy rule matters here just as much as it does in diving.

Make a day of it with a picnic on the sand and time to warm up in the sun between swims. If one of you gets hooked, an introductory scuba diving session is a natural next step. Or rent a kayak, paddle out to a quiet cove, and snorkel from there.

On Your Own / With Friends

Snorkeling works well for groups and families with mixed swimming skills, since everyone stays on the surface and goes at their own pace. Guided snorkel tours supply the gear and the boat, and the guides know where the wildlife tends to gather. Pair everyone up, stay in sight of each other, and agree on a signal for heading back.

Snorkeling alone isn't recommended, even for strong swimmers. If you're traveling solo, a guided tour is the easy answer: you get a buddy, a guide who knows the water, and often a few new friends on the boat.

Good to Know

Be a comfortable swimmer before you go. Weaker swimmers can wear a snorkel vest or life jacket, and many tours provide them. To check a mask's fit, press it to your face without the strap and breathe in through your nose; if it stays put, it fits. A little defog keeps it clear. Wear reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard, since your back and the backs of your legs face the sun the whole time. Never touch or stand on coral, and don't chase or feed wildlife. Check conditions before you go, obey lifeguard flags, and learn to spot rip currents. If one pulls you out, swim parallel to shore until you're free, then head in.