Snorkeling in Maine’s waters will open your eyes to a ‘fascinating’ new world
This story was initially revealed in September 2019.
Lobsters, large fish, snapping turtles and sunken ships. Maine’s underwater world is full of wonders, based on those that snorkel.
A distinct segment exercise within the Northeast, snorkeling is pretty simple to be taught. The tools required — a masks, snorkel and fins — is cheap and low tech. And given the area’s quite a few lakes, rivers and ocean coves, there are lots of locations to discover.
“It’s like going by means of the wanting glass into a completely totally different world,” stated Justus Magee, 42, of Glenburn. “It’s completely fascinating.”
Trying to find lake monsters
Maine is residence to hundreds of lakes and ponds, a lot of that are nice for snorkeling. These our bodies of water differ dramatically of their geological options, in addition to what vegetation and aquatic animals they include.
“Each time I am going to a lake, even when with pals, I all the time convey my swim fins and masks,” Magee stated. “I get made enjoyable of a bit.”
Snorkeling is an exercise during which you swim on the floor of the water, respiratory by means of a tube referred to as a snorkel. One finish of the tube is positioned in your mouth, whereas the opposite finish is behind your head, above the floor of the water. This lets you breathe whereas swimming face down.
Carrying fins in your toes means that you can swim quicker, and carrying a masks over your eyes and nostril means that you can see clearly. It additionally prevents you from getting water up your nostril.
“It’s like a meditation as a result of a snorkel forces you to pay attention to your breath, “ Magee stated.
Whereas snorkeling in Maine lakes, Magee has swum beside a big bass. He’s discovered a Coca-Cola bottle from 1962. And he typically explores fascinating rock formations, that are solely seen underwater.
“I believe one of the fascinating components of snorkeling Maine lakes is you get to see all of the geological variations,” Magee stated. “Schoodic [Lake] is totally beautiful, the geology of it. You possibly can truly see all kinds of various kinds of petrified silt patterns.”
[Filmmaker dives to sunken steamboats in Moosehead Lake]
Nuggett Wagner, 64, of Ellsworth, additionally enjoys snorkeling Maine lakes, particularly the crystal clear our bodies of water close to her residence. She was first launched to the exercise when she was a child rising up in Winterport, however didn’t pursue the pastime in earnest till about 8 years in the past. Since then, she’s been snorkeling pretty recurrently, beginning in June and persevering with into early fall.
“I identical to to go searching,” Wagner stated. “I love to do some pictures on land, to see what’s beneath my toes. So why not underneath the water?”
Utilizing a water-proof GoPro digital camera, Wagner takes photographs of fish, turtles, lily pads and different delicate aquatic vegetation. She additionally shoots underwater movies to share together with her household and pals.
“I’m probably not up on [my] fish, however in Department Pond, I noticed a catfish in the future,” she stated. “And towards fall I used to be in Craig Pond and there have been all types of huge lazy-looking fish simply type of circling in an enormous college. Someone informed me they had been most likely suckers.”
Although the water close to her residence is comparatively clear, she often finds trash resting on lake bottoms.
“I’ve discovered stuff that clearly was from ice fisherman like frying pans and knives and issues they had been cooking with on the ice,” she stated. “And you understand what? I discover quite a lot of golf balls.”
Braving the present
Maine is residence to a few of the wildest whitewater within the Northeast, together with a collection of turbulent rapids on the West Department of the Penobscot River. That is the place Jay Robinson, 64, of Woodville goes snorkeling.
Extra particularly, Robinson snorkels in a backwater channel of Pockwockamus Falls, the place the present is gentle and fish are plentiful. He started swimming there again within the ‘80s, when his father bought a camp a few mile up river.
“There are all types of fascinating issues to see, particularly the additional up you swim into the present,” Robinson stated. “There are a few good swimming pools, not too deep, the place you may maintain onto the rocks and lay on the underside and see fish and different issues.”
A snorkel solely supplies air on the floor of the water, but many snorkelers dive all the way down to get nearer to underwater options. Whereas doing this, they should maintain their breath. As well as, they might must equalize their ears, releasing strain by pinching their nostril and gently blowing out. And once they floor, they typically must blow water out of their snorkel earlier than utilizing it breathe as soon as extra.
On one notably sizzling summer season day just a few years in the past, Robinson went all the way down to “The Ol’ Swimmin’ Gap” and seen a bunch of damaged turtle eggs alongside the shore. Considering nothing of it, he dove down and seen what seemed like an attractive, moss-covered rock on the underside. When he was a few foot from the “rock,” he realized it was a big snapping turtle.
“I made out its tail slowly waving within the present,” Robinson stated. ”By no means did one particular person exit the water quicker than me.”
Over time whereas snorkeling the Penobscot, Robinson has seen crayfish and freshwater clams, sunken logs from the log driving days, and colourful rocks worn clean by the speeding present. And each every so often, he spies what fly fishermen on the river are hoping to catch.
“I discovered [that] if I stood in a single place, in deep water, particularly within the night simply earlier than darkish, I’d see some good-sized trout and salmon,” Robinson stated.
Exploring Maine’s ocean
When individuals consider snorkeling within the ocean, they normally consider tropical areas which have colourful fish and coral reefs. However Maine’s coastal waters are teeming with fascinating creatures and aquatic vegetation that may simply be noticed whereas snorkeling. It’s additionally residence to quite a lot of sunken ships.
“In the event you’re in a pleasant website with nice visibility you may see crabs, lobster, various kinds of fish, hermit crabs, [and] various kinds of seaweed,” stated Jim Dock, lead teacher at Aqua Diving Academy in Portland. “You by no means know what you’re going to get from day after day.”
Snorkeling is commonly a gateway exercise into scuba diving, which is a way more complicated sport that requires particular coaching and tools, Dock stated. Scuba diving permits individuals to dive deeper and keep underwater for longer as a result of it consists of using an oxygen tank. Each actions are sometimes lifelong sports activities.
“Lots of people get conversant in snorkeling first,” Dock stated. “Youngsters be taught it at summer season camp or their household camp, then type of go from there. That’s how I acquired into scuba myself.”
Dock usually snorkels in shallow, protected coves the place publicity to wind and present is proscribed. These areas are safer for swimming, however additionally they are likely to have clearer water than areas the place wind and waves whip up sediment from the underside.
No matter the place you select to snorkel of Maine’s coast, it will likely be chilly. The water temperature hits its peak in September at round 60 levels Fahrenheit, based on the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Affiliation. To remain heat, Dock advises carrying a wetsuit.
“Studying to loosen up is crucial,” Dock stated. “As soon as you compromise down and loosen up and roll with it, it’s very peaceable. One of many issues I get pleasure from most about snorkeling and diving is it’s quiet and permits you go get outdoors your regular world and give attention to one thing totally different.”
