These brightly colored beauties are usually found in pairs.They spend their days cleaning larger fish like eels, wrasses, and jacks.These high-contrast fish make for fantastic photo subjects!
2.Sergeant Major
Ten hut!Sergeant Majors are easily identified by their vertical stripes, called bars, and their preference to school in large groups.These fish are on the smaller side, rarely getting above eight inches long.Sergeant Majors are territorial and will guard their eggs day and night until they hatch.
3.Scrawled Filefish
This Filefish is easy to see with its bright blue and green spots.These fish are quite thin and use their large fins to appear bigger and more intimidating.See if you can lure one closer with some yummy Fish Food.
4.Peacock Flounder
These sneaky fish have completely adapted to life on the ocean floor.Flounder can change color to match their surroundings, so look carefully!Be sure to bring your Dual Lens Prescription Mask to see the elusive Peacock Flounder!
5.Yellowtail Snapper
If you can find one yellowtail, you can bet you’ll see a lot more!Yellowtail snappers usually travel in schools.They move quickly, so get your camera fingers ready!
6.Trumpetfish
This oddly-shaped fish is instantly recognizable!Long and thin, Trumpetfish are commonly found in Florida and the Bahamas.Trumpetfish can change color and like to hide.
7.Spotted Drum
An expert at hide and seek, the Spotted Drum is one of the more elusive fish in the Bahamas and Florida.These fish “pace” by swimming back and forth in a repetitive pattern.Be sure to snap a picture if you see one!
8.Smooth Trunkfish
These boxy, oddly shaped fish usually swim alone.Their honeycomb pattern hides a strong suit of armor, so they are well-protected from reef predators.These curious fish might be interested in a delicious snack!
9.Squirrelfish
Squirrelfish are noted for their huge eyes that let them see better at night, when they are most active.These night swimmers are easily identified during the day due to their distinctive red-and-white coloring and large dorsal (top) fin.In shallow water, aim a small light under a ledge to search for squirrelfish!
10.Stoplight Parrotfish
These common, brightly colored fish can grow up to 2 feet long.Their distinctive markings are red, yellow, and green and make them easy to see.Parrotfish eat algae, rock, and coral, and are responsible for much of the sand underwater.Bring your microfiber towel to dust off afterwards!
There is a wealth of advice about snorkeling with young children.But what happens when your kids are too old (and too cool) to hold your hand?
Set some ground rules for your older child or teen.Measure their comfort level, independence, and how much freedom you want them to have in the water.Sit down with your children in a place without distractions and have an honest talk about your expectations and rules.Here are a few to get you started:
NEVER go in the water without a buddy.This rule should be absolutely non-negotiable.
Choose a bright color swimsuit, t-shirt, or snorkeling vest to make visual contact easier.Consider a yellow snorkel over a black one, a yellow or pink snorkeling vest, or something similar so you can quickly see where your child is in the water.
Come up with hand signals to communicate underwater easily.Take a look through a fish guide and create signals with your children.Read over the Coral 101 guide together.Snorkeling is a great way to teach your children about ecology and respecting their environment.
Decide on a meeting time and place to go to if you get separated.Outfit all the snorkelers in your group with a water-resistant watch so everyone can keep time on their own.
Make a plan that details when, where, and how long you will snorkel on each excursion.Check with a travel agency, hotel concierge, or local dive establishment to find good snorkeling spots in the area.Short, frequent snorkeling excursions usually are more popular than one or two all-day sessions.Short, frequent snorkeling forays allow for snacks, lunch, bathroom breaks, or even a nap.
Check with your destination ahead of time to make sure you leave home with all the gear you need.More and more destinations and boat operators are requiring snorkeling vests.If your operator does not have the staples, like defog solution, mask scrub, spare snorkel keepers, etc., make sure you bring your own.Nothing ruins a snorkeling experience like a broken fin strap!
Let your children be as responsible for themselves as possible.Let them choose or help choose their snorkeling gear.Make sure they get plenty of opportunities for practice—there’s nobody too old to be uncomfortable in the water.Let your child choose a snorkeling site, or how long the excursion should be.Of course, this includes carrying and caring for their own gear!
Remember that not everyone has to make every snorkeling trip.It’s okay to spend an afternoon by the pool or relaxing on the beach.
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