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Snorkeling in New England

Snorkeling is a fun way for boaters to spend a day exploring their surroundings. And while New England waters might have a reputation for being murky, the region actually offers a surprising number of exciting snorkeling opportunities.

If you’re new to snorkeling, you’ll first need the proper equipment, such as a snorkel, mask and fins. If it’s an activity you think you’ll do often, you may want to get a wetsuit, which will allow you to stay in the water longer without getting cold. Also, if you’re snorkeling in an area with a lot of boat traffic, get a diver down flag to let boaters know you’re there.

Make sure to test your equipment first, checking to see if your mask and snorkel have any leaks. Masks often fog up in the water. You can avoid this problem by using an anti-fog gel on your mask.

The first time you get in the water with your equipment, practice blowing water out of your snorkel. Master this skill and you’ll be able to dive down underwater and then clear your snorkel when you reach the surface.

New England has many areas with interesting underwater habitat, marine life and shipwrecks that are fun for snorkelers to explore.

Many people in Rhode Island enjoy snorkeling near Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, as well as Brenton Reef and the waters around Price Neck in Newport. Cape Cod has many great places to snorkel, including Sesuit Harbor, the waters off Sandwich’s Town Neck Beach and the area just off the coast of Corporation Beach in Dennis. On Cape Ann, coves near Plum Island are a great place for snorkeling.

Trailer boaters can explore the clearer waters of New England’s inland lakes. Some large lakes, such as Lake Champlain and Lake Winnipesaukee, not only have amazing underwater habitats, they also have shipwrecks that are accessible to snorkelers.

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