Education And Adventure Go Hand-in-hand On A Destin, Florida Snorkeling Trip

Snorkeling in Destin, Florida brings the traveler face-to-face with the wonders of Okaloosa County's Emerald Coast

. World-famous for impossibly white beaches and bright green waters, Destin also bills itself as "the world's luckiest fishing village." With only 11,119 residents living in the area - as of the 2000 census - the town heavily relies on tourism and fishing as its main sources of income, and there are plenty of snorkeling tours and fishing charters that cater to visitors of all ages.

There are plenty of discoveries to be made, including underwater wrecks that have been turned into artificial reefs. Man-made reefs like the Sand Dollar and the White Hill both allow aficionados to go on underwater adventures in the green seas. This is the place to meet up with the occasional loggerhead turtle, schools of tropical fish and even dolphins (but watch out for stingrays!).

If these reef tours sound a bit too difficult for the youngsters in the group, consider one of the many tours that are specifically geared toward children. Kids as young as 4 years of age can learn how to snorkel, feed some of the fish they meet and also spend time playing on one of the many stunning beaches. By hiring an experienced guide, the whole family gets to go out on a well-maintained boat and enjoy a three-hour tour along the most gorgeous spots and promising fish-sighting locales.

It is a good idea to practice snorkeling with the kids in a swimming pool beforehand. Once they are accustomed to wearing a diving mask and breathing through a snorkel, introduce the use of swim fins. This leisurely activity is generally safe for kids, but it is instrumental that they are comfortable with the gear and able to swim. Parents must be sure to keep a vigilant eye on their children, even if they are snorkeling in only shallow water. Perhaps the greatest risk - for smaller youngsters - is the loss of body heat. Make up for this by outfitting the children with a wetsuit and booking a vacation between March and October, when the temperatures are the warmest.

Consider a Destin snorkeling vacation to be a mix of leisure, adventure and education. Children will spend so much time playing on beaches and splashing in the water that they will not even realize that they are learning about the fragile reefs, local fish populations and proper snorkeling techniques. The latter, of course, will serve as a major stepping stone to scuba trips down the line.

by: Stephen Daniels

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