SSI Snorkel Course at Porto Mari

Do you want to learn how to snorkel or improve your technique? During the SSI Snorkel Diver course, you will learn how to safely and comfortably explore the underwater world. Together with an instructor, you will discover how to snorkel comfortably, how to use your equipment, and how to observe the reef and marine life with respect.

The clear water and accessible house reef make Porto Mari an ideal place to learn how to snorkel. During the course, you will enter the water with an instructor from Porto Mari Dive Center to practice various techniques. While snorkeling above the reef, you will learn step by step how to move calmly at the surface and how to safely observe marine life.

During the course, you will discover how to use your snorkeling equipment correctly and how to explore the reef without damaging the coral. You will practice different snorkeling techniques and learn more about safety, marine life, and protecting the reef. Afterwards, you will be able to snorkel independently and with more confidence—at Porto Mari or at other snorkeling spots around Curaçao.

What you will learn

During the SSI Snorkel Diver course, you will learn, among other things:

• correct use of mask, snorkel, and fins

• efficient surface snorkeling

• duck dive (briefly diving underwater to take a closer look at something)

• how to calmly observe underwater without disturbing the reef

• safe entry and exit from the water

• dealing with waves and currents

• basic knowledge about marine life and coral reefs

The emphasis is on relaxed snorkeling and safely exploring the reef.

The program

The course starts with a short explanation about snorkeling equipment and basic principles. Afterwards, we enter the water to practice the techniques. You will learn how to move comfortably at the surface and how to view the reef without disturbing the coral or marine life. A large part of the course takes place in the water, where you will gain direct experience above Porto Mari's house reef.

Included

• SSI instructor

• use of snorkeling equipment

• wetsuit (if desired)

• SSI digital certificate

Practical information

• Duration: about half a day
• For whom: suitable for beginners
• Age: usually from 6–8 years old, with good swimming skills
• Location: Porto Mari

Snorkeling or diving – what is the difference?

Snorkeling and diving are two different ways to discover the underwater world. With snorkeling, you stay at the surface and breathe through a snorkel while looking down at the reef and marine life below you. With diving, you go underwater with compressed air and can move freely among the fish and coral. This allows you to observe marine life much more closely.

Many people start with snorkeling and then discover that they also want to learn how to dive. If you are curious about what it feels like to breathe underwater, you can also do an introductory dive at Porto Mari with us.

Tip

If you want to discover several snorkeling spots around the island with a guide after the course, check out our Snorkel Trip West-Curaçao.

For an even more adventurous way to explore the reef, you can also choose our Sea Scooter Experience at Porto Mari or a Kayak & Snorkel Tour Curaçao.