We planned our visit to Kauai, Hawaii with ResorTime for several months prior to the family vacation. We knew we would be attending the Na Pali Coast Snorkel Tour with Holo Holo Charters and with the abundant marine life in the Hawaiian waters, wanted to be fully prepared for many snorkeling adventures on our own too. Our seven year old daughter had never snorkeled in the open ocean so we sought out tips from a favorite marine biologist friend. In addition to basic snorkeling safety, he had a few great suggestions we would not have thought of otherwise. Our favorite list of snorkel tips for kids does not detail safety tips so please make sure you take the time to research tide predictions and the areas in which you plan to snorkel. Our best snorkel tips for kids share how to make sure you have a positive and memorable experience like we did during our Hawaii family vacation. We came home and ordered our most favorite snorkeling photo on canvas from Canvas Factory. One lucky Brie Brie Blooms reader will win their own canvas of a favorite family vacation photo too!
My daughter spent most of our Hawaii family vacation in the water. After snorkeling for the very first time in the ocean with her dad, she asked to explore the wonders of the ocean below water everyday.
Her favorite beach to visit for snorkeling was Anini Beach on the Kauai North Shore. There is no lifeguard post but it is considered one of the safer beaches in the area. While snorkeling there, my daughter observed coral, eels, parrot fish, sea cucumbers and sea turtles among many other sea creatures. My husband captured a beautiful photo of her underwater with a sea turtle. This is the photo we turned into a canvas so we could be reminded of the wonderful memories of this family vacation everyday.
Snorkel tips for kids
1) Research the beaches you intend to visit.
Use a travel guide to research the beaches you intend to visit. I kept a copy of “The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook” in our rental car so I could easily reference beaches if our plans were derailed by interesting sights as we drove around the island. Anini Beach Park is categorized as “a real gem”, the top rating, and we fully agree.
2) Buy your own equipment.
Many resorts and some beaches offer snorkel rental equipment. While it may be of good quality, your child will need to fit each piece each time you are using different equipment. If you plan to snorkel frequently like we did during your family vacation, consider simply buying your own equipment instead. My daughter was able to practice in the pool with the $30 set we purchased from Costco in Kauai.
3) Follow all safety suggestions and rules posted at each beach.
In addition to paying attention to all rules and warnings posted at the beach, familiarize yourself with general snorkeling safety. Also check the local tide predictions and be aware of any seasonal dangers.
4) Be prepared to have your child document their experiences.
Use the free printable child dive log for your child to document each snorkel experience. I know my daughter will enjoy revisiting the memories captured in her dive log.
5) Pack an underwater camera like a GoPro and actually use it.
My husband used his GoPro to capture amazing video of our daughter with marine animals. We came home and turned a favorite photo into a canvas with Canvas Factory. The process is very easy and inexpensive.
With many different styles and prints including canvas prints, acrylic glass, aluminum and collages, it’s easy to forever preserve your favorite family vacation memories. The high quality canvas print arrived a week after we placed our order and we were very happy with the beautiful memory keepsake.
The 16″ x 20″ canvas print of my daughter snorkeling with the sea turtle fit perfectly on a family gallery wall. With hundreds more favorite photos it’s going to be tough to decide which to order next!
Enter to win your favorite family vacation photo as a 16″ x 20″ canvas print from Canvas Factory!
For more Hawaii family travel ideas, see the fun we had during our Hawaii family vacation. Be sure to enter my Makai Club Resort Kauai, Hawaii family vacation giveaway so you can visit the beautiful island of Kauai with your family for an amazing vacation too.
Which favorite family photo would you like to have printed on canvas?
Learn more about the Canvas Factory by connecting with them on Facebook and Pinterest.
Totally awesome!
I would use a picture of my two grandsons in their daddy’s uniforms.
I’d use a picture of my newborn daughter and her dad, both in onesies and stocking caps.
We just got back from a Disney trip, and I’d love to enlarge our favorite family photo with Mickey and friends!
I would use a pic of my daughter at the beach
I would love to use a picture of our entire family at my daughter’s wedding.
I’d use a picture of us from the beach.
I don’t currently have an updated picture of my fiancé and our two children together, so this would definitely give me an excuse to get an updated one to put up in our new house!
I have a photo of my family, plus my husbands brothers’ and sisters’ families inside of an igloo this last winter. I’d LOVE to get it printed soon.
a beautiful picture of the ocean and us playing in it
We have a great picture form a family trip to Yosemite that would make a great canvas!
One of my 3 kids
Our family’s photo at my daughter’s recent high school graduation. A very momentous occasion!
I’d use the one of the kids climbing into a cannon. 🙂
A picture of my husband and I at Yosemite on our Honeymoon.
I would use a picture of my grandparent.
Our first Christmas as a family of 3
What beautiful wall art! I’m not sure what photo I’d use – might have to take one just for this!
I would like to do a photo of husband with his mom and siblings.
One where we were all in front of the DIsneyland Castle.
We’re having pictures taken next week, so probably one of those!
A recent picture of my daughter and I.
I would get a picture from our wedding!
There is a photo of me and my mom at universal studios in orlando
I would like a recent Christmas photo on a canvas.
I would love to get one of our last trip to the beach!
A photo on the water where we are kayaking and paddle boarding.
I would have my favorite photo of my kids from our vacation last year to Colorado.
My favorite photo I would love done would be the one of all four boys and my mom and dad!
I would use a photo of my little girl from the beach!
I have one of the three kids when they were playing in the rain several years ago that would be precious on my wall.
I would probably use the picture I took of my 5 girls and niece together.
Which favorite family photo would you like to have printed on canvas?
I would have one of our photos from our trip to Israel. It’s a beautiful country and we have amazing photos to prove it!
I’m not sure what photo I would use, perhaps the most recent group picture.
I have an awesome picture from our family vacation to Mexico last winter. It would look so good!
I would love to have a picture of my son and I that was taken on Cape Cod, MA put on canvas.
I have a favorite one of our little one in front of the wind turbines that I would love to have on canvas and hang in our entry way.
When we were celebrating the Ravens winning the Superbowl.
I would use a picture of my family that was taken at my brother’s wedding!
We have a fabulous photo at Disney World that I would love to have on canvas.
I would use a family photo form our Disney World trip.
My favorite picture is our family reunion picture from last year. All of our family members came from different states to see each other.
Our beach picture!
I would use one of our Disney trip pictures!
I’d choose a picture from my up coming wedding.
I would use a picture of my kids at the Grand Canyon.
I have one of us standing on a glacier and the blues are SO vibrant! I’d love to have it on the wall!
If I won, I’d print a family picture from a trip to the beach.
A picture from our trip to Disneyland would probably be my choice.
I’d print a picture of my nephews to give to my mom
A picture from our trip to WDW.
When all my kids came to visit for the summer
one of our fam vacation photos.
My soon to be wedding photo in September
I have one of my youngest daughter in the sand in Bahama.
I’d use one of our wedding pictures.
I’d use one of my Wyld Wyoming Photos
We have a family photo from our most recent trip to Perdido Key, FL that I’d like to print for my daughter.
A picture of my whole family at the beach.
I would put my kiddos pics on it, like a collage.
the last family photo we had done is the one i would get
I would use a photo of my two daughters standing near a pretty waterfall.
I would love to have one of my son and his wife in Sherman.
I just had another baby girl on 4/14, so I’d get one of her.
would love to do one of my kids swimming in water in florida
I would have a picture of my kids in Paris.
I would choose a picture of my daughter grinning so her dimples show, her face flushed from laughing.