It is believed that “Snorkelers savor the underwater geography while floating close to the surface, while scuba divers stay underwater longer” but this is not true anymore after the advent of free-diving and skin-diving and scuba diving is tend to discover deep water areas where corals are less due to the lack resource of sunlight, after 5-6 meters below the water surface you realize that corals are significantly lesser. While snorkeling is not just floating close to the surface but you can descend into water easily between 6-10m with some skills after controlling well your buoyancy on the surface. Snorkelers have been being limited in terms of skill development to discover coral reef in-depth, especially featuring spots just between 5-6m under the surface why they just only stay floating close to the surface. But now OnBird’s multi-level snorkeling or soft-adventure snorkeling are a kind of game changer for those who are novices, experienced, advanced that are keen on discovering coral reefs more and more but not just floating on the surface can enjoy more underwater geography and marine life between 1-10m but do not want to bring a tank on their back and see more corals than scuba divers.
Another reason has divers looking for scuba diving option instead of snorkeling because shallow corals are now destructed by human a lot that why beautiful coral reefs which pertains to shallow water (not deep-water) has been now being gradually degraded.
It is totally wrong saying that Snorkeling is easier than Scuba Diving, but Snorkeling requires more advanced water-surface skills, while scuba diving requires underwater buoyancy-control-device skills and knowledge for safety, scuba divers descend or ascend by pressing a button, snorkelers descend or ascend by using skills with certain movements and postures. On snorkeling trip you will see large coral reefs rather than on scuba diving as the corals growth strongest in the shallow water of 1 – 7m, for scuba diving you can see some strange coral species, fishes at deeper depth and strange underwater objects.
OnBird developed our own Scientific & Soft-adventure Snorkeling which is to take into account external factors (water conditions: wave level, tide level, current, underwater visibility and lighting effect) when planning a snorkeling experience to maximize the experiences at coral reef.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving are both exciting ways to explore the undersea world. But OnBird would like to share with you more about Soft-adventure & Multi-level snorkeling in depth and scuba diving as well as the differences between these two activities.
5 Key differences between Snorkeling & Scuba Diving:
- Essential Equipment
- Skill Level
- Duration & Depth
- Coral Zonation
- Danger and Risks
Given the table below, whether you prefer snorkeling or diving really depends on your skills and personal preference.
⏭️ Let’s take a closer look at the basics.
1/ Essential Equipment
Snorkeling is focus on the surface with the use of a mask and a breathing tube, called a snorkel. There are 2 skills you need to have to gain a genuine snorkeling: floating and breathing. It is total wrong saying that Snorkeling is easier than Scuba Diving, The mask helps keep water out of your eyes and nose whereas the snorkel allows you to keep breathing while snorkeling to stay floating and the fin help you to move against the current better.
Meanwhile, scuba diving is diving with the help of a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, called a scuba. It requires a lot more equipment including a suitable scuba mask for you, a diving suit, a buoyancy compensator, a compressed gas tank with an attached scuba regulator, and swim fins.
2/ Skill level
Simple snorkeling requires only the ability to swim and feel comfortable in the water but professional snorkeling requires more advanced skills and good mental health. Basically, “simple snorkeling” doesn’t require much previous experience and takes just a half hour to learn. But experienced swimmers can make further steps into more professional snorkeling to gain better snorkeling experience as they can control themselves in the water to descend and get closer looks at coral reefs or sea creatures.
Also, there’re still shallow waters where those who are new to snorkeling or non-swimmers (but with life vests) can snorkel near the water surface and sea the coral species. For instance, when it comes to Phu Quoc island, Undersea Coral mountain is just around 0,5 to 2m with a huge cluster of Cactus coral. It’s suitable for many ages.
It’s best to go with an underwater guide when you are non-experienced. Here at OnBird, all of our experiences, you’re advised which day is best for underwater visibility and you’re all escorted by a dedicated underwater guide also. Thus, either you’re a good swimmer or non-swimmers or kids with family, freely enjoy the snorkels with our guide.
However, as for scuba diving, you need to be trained and certified to ensure you have a good condition of physical & mental health as well as knowledge, skills to control the depths, naviagtion, handle issues in the water in according to your levels but if you are non-license so you can still join our try-dive and the instructor will accompany and take care of you during the diving time. There’s no real technique needed since it requires the use of a scuba tank.
3/ Duration & depth under the water
Snorkeling is usually swimming near the water’s surface. Snorkelers savor the underwater geography while floating close to the surface (3 – 6 meter depth), while scuba divers stay underwater longer and go deeper. You can snorkel as long as you want as the breathing tube allows you to have enough & a regular supply of air.
There are also ranges suitable for both free-diver and snorkelers. It depends on your diving abilities. In Phu Quoc island, we’ve found out top-notch spots for groups who have different levels of swimming or diving skills, all of the members can join, notably: Half-moon Reef, U-Turn and Crystal Reef- Undersea Coral Mountain, North-east Coral Reef, Coral Jungle Reef…
Scuba diving with a tank allows you to stay underwater for longer periods of time until your tank runs out of gas (it may happen faster when you dive deeper).
4/ Dangers & Risks
Snorkeling has potential risk related to skills. The only real danger is if you end up getting in the way of motorized boats and jet skis as they may not be able to spot your snorkel from afar. But there’s also the risk of cuts and scrapes from rocks and corals, jellyfish stings, and other possible injuries from underwater life forms.
Far from it, scuba diving can come with some real risks and dangers if not done properly. There’s a possibility of equipment malfunction, which can result in decompression sickness or even drowning.
Side note, snorkelers can safely hold their breath at any time. Conversely, breath-holding is extremely dangerous on scuba.
You may already understand the pull of gravity underwater which gets higher when you go deeper and that leads the air inside your lungs are compressed. If this air can escape by exhalation, this is totally fine. However, it’s the big problem when the breath is held, much like a balloon pops when you blow too much air inside, your lungs can tear or collapse, which may result in heart pressure or even fatal.
To sum up, do you feel confident in the water but prefer to explore the underwater world from the surface? Let’s go on professional & scientific snorkeling with OnBird.
Make sure you prioritize your safety and health condition so that you can make the most out of the underwater experience. Have fun!
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