Learning by snorkeling: an underwater nature trail teaches about life in the Baltic

      

Last week end I decided to go snorkeling in order to try a brand new underwater nature trail provided by The Swedish Archipelago foundation. The snorkeling trail is located at Björnö nature reserve in the Stockholm archipelago (location on map).

So what is a “snorkeling trail”? Well it’s exactly what is sounds like. an underwater trail, with buoys marking spots where information tablets are located on the bottom. The information tablets are placed at depths between 1 to 3 m, and contains a short informative text about marine life that can be found along the trail. A line on the bottom connects the slabs so you don’t have to lift your head out of the water to find your way to the next buoy.

I found the underwater nature trail very appealing. Experiencing the snorkeling trail really is both a great way of getting some exercise and a fun way to learn about marine life! It was really cool trying to spot the fish I had just read about. The only drawback was the water temperature, I used a 7mm wet suit and still, brrr… But hey, its Sweden! Get used to it !

Overall it was a great experience and I will definitely come back. I hope someone will make a deeper “scuba trail” in a similar fashion.

Dive safe,

/K

[pics from Swedish Archipelago Foundation website]