skin diving
Shallow underwater exploration
Skin diving is swimming underwater with minimal equipment—typically a mask, snorkel, and fins—relying on held breath rather than scuba gear.
The term emphasizes the diver's exposure to the water with little between skin and sea: We went skin diving off the reef.
It's recreational rather than professional, focused on shallow exploration.
Face-worn concealment
- finsSwimming appendages
- snorkelUnderwater breathing pipe
- wetsuitInsulating garment for water
- breath-holdVoluntary suspension of respiration
equalization · buoyancy · streamlining · flutter kick · frog kick · body position · gliding · descent
Surface swimming with breathing tube
- spearfishingAquatic hunting with sharp poles
- underwater photographyPhotographing subjects beneath water
- shell collectingGathering marine exoskeletons
- leisureFree time for relaxation
tourism · holiday · eco-tourism · boat trip · beach vacation · guided tour · resort · excursion
Underwater rock or coral formation
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- tropical fishWarm-water ornamental species
- sea turtleOcean-dwelling shelled reptile
- octopusEight-limbed sea mollusk
moray eel · stingray · jellyfish · seahorse · anemone · starfish · sea urchin · parrotfish
Temporary cessation of respiration
- lung capacityBreath volume measurement
- breath controlManaging exhalation deliberately
- bradycardiaAbnormally slow heart rate
- hypoxiaInsufficient tissue oxygenation
diaphragm · pranayama · hyperventilation · air hunger · relaxation · heart rate
Sheltered coastal shallows
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- coveSheltered coastal indentation
- bayPartially enclosed water
- tropical watersSeas near the equator
Caribbean · Great Barrier Reef · cenote · atoll · coastline · shallows · tide pool · Mediterranean
Ocean's solid base
- shipwreckDestroyed vessel at sea
- submergedBelow water's surface
- depthsLowest or innermost regions
- visibilityRange of clear sight
currents · fauna · flora · rock formations · caves · swim-through · drop-off
mask
Face-worn concealment
breath-hold · equalization · buoyancy · streamlining · flutter kick · frog kick · body position · gliding · descent · ascent
snorkeling
Surface swimming with breathing tube
- spearfishingAquatic hunting with sharp poles
- underwater photographyPhotographing subjects beneath water
- shell collectingGathering marine exoskeletons
leisure · tourism · holiday · eco-tourism · boat trip · beach vacation · guided tour · resort · excursion · day trip
reef
Underwater rock or coral formation
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- tropical fishWarm-water ornamental species
- sea turtleOcean-dwelling shelled reptile
octopus · moray eel · stingray · jellyfish · seahorse · anemone · starfish · sea urchin · parrotfish · clownfish
apnea
Temporary cessation of respiration
- lung capacityBreath volume measurement
- breath controlManaging exhalation deliberately
- bradycardiaAbnormally slow heart rate
hypoxia · diaphragm · pranayama · hyperventilation · air hunger · relaxation · heart rate
lagoon
Sheltered coastal shallows
tropical waters · Caribbean · Great Barrier Reef · cenote · atoll · coastline · shallows · tide pool · Mediterranean · Red Sea
seafloor
Ocean's solid base
visibility · currents · fauna · flora · rock formations · caves · swim-through · drop-off
- water sportsswimming, swimmer, surfing, surfer, rowing
- underwater activitiessnorkeling, freediving, underwater photography, underwater exploration, spearfishing
- freedivingfreediver, apnea, breath hold, monofin, no limits
skin divingskydiving
Recreational freefall from aircraft
rock climbing · hiking · paragliding · mountaineering · mountain climbing
skin divingscuba diving
Swimming with air tanks
scuba · deep-sea diving · technical diving · saturation diving · commercial diving
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