Angelfish. Goatfish. Grunts and Blennies. Damselfish. Sergeant majors. The colorful and quirky names fit these aquatic acrobats that dip and curve around you when you join a popular snorkeling excursion.

Snorkeling is uncomplicated fun at any age, and practice makes perfect. So slip on a mask, grab a snorkel and stick those toes into some fins.

Coral reefs are tropical treasure chests. Open the lid, and you’ll find a jumble of jeweled fish and curious creatures that are constantly changing. You might see a hawksbill turtle seeking sponges for its next meal. Or spiny lobsters. Be on the lookout for different species of brain corals and leaf corals. A waterproof chart helps you identify what is swimming by. And a single-use underwater camera lets you immortalize your new-finned friends.

Even those who don’t swim well are able to snorkel with the leader’s instructions and the gear, including a float vest.

You can spend literally hours in the buoyant saltwater, watching hundreds of fish, some with wild stripes and brilliant polka dots. The colors – yellows, greens and blues – are fantastic.

Cheva Heck, public affairs officer with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, suggests wearing an inflatable snorkel vest that allows you to flip onto your back to adjust your equipment without going vertical.

Besides wearing a vest, kids like to hang onto a noodle. They can rest on the flotation device and still look into the water.

Normally snorkeling excursions take place when the sun favors peering deep into the water. Take advantage of the light by looking under ledges, into the distance, near the bottom. You can also enjoy snorkeling in the early morning and at the twilight – fish behave differently, and the reef has a new look.

Wherever you go - The Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico or Hawaii – snorkeling brings you face to fin with a rainbow of see-worthy creatures.

Whether you’re a novice or a pro, snorkeling is a new adventure each time you slip into the sea.

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