A lot of people experience snorkeling for the first time by visiting their local sporting goods store, buying the necessary gear, and then taking it to a nearby lake. While this option has its benefits, it's useful to know that there are many other ways that you can try this water sport. Snorkeling can be a good way to get some exercise, and participating in an outing with a group of other individuals can be enjoyable — especially if you hang out together afterward to recap the adventure. Here are three places that you can commonly try snorkeling.

On A Cruise

If you're planning a cruise and are interested in snorkeling, it's a good idea to check what types of shore outings are available to passengers. It's common for cruise ships to stop in different locations along the route so that passengers can disembark and enjoy various activities. A common option is snorkeling. You and other passengers will travel to shore, get your gear, and then have a lesson that will help you to feel confident when you enter the water. Given that many cruise ships visit areas with picturesque scenery, you might be excited to try snorkeling in one of these settings.

At A Beach Hotel

Similarly, it's often possible to try snorkeling when you visit a beach hotel. A lot of beach hotels have various types of water sports available for guests to experience, as well as instructors who can offer group or private lessons for beginners. While you might plan to spend a lot of time swimming at the beach, consider giving snorkeling a try, too. If you're athletically minded, you'll likely enjoy how this activity works your muscles and burns calories. If you're staying at the beach hotel with your family, this is an activity that you can all try together.

At An Island

Whether you visit an island that is big or small, you can often find an opportunity to go snorkeling. Many islands have multiple snorkeling centers, so whether you're just visiting for the day or you have a longer visit planned, you may wish to set aside some time to try snorkeling. If you're visiting the island for an extended period of time, you might wish to book a snorkeling lesson early during your visit and then plan to spend time snorkeling with a few family members or friends on some subsequent days. Look online to learn more about places that you can go snorkeling.