What this tool does
Reefguide Calculator helps you decide which coastal zones make sense for shore snorkeling, based on seasonal patterns and coastal exposure
It’s designed for the planning stage:
- before choosing where to stay
- before committing to a specific coast
- before chasing daily forecasts
The goal is to reduce guesswork, not to optimize for perfect conditions.
What this tool does not do
Reefguide is not:
- a real-time weather or ocean forecast
- a safety or go/no-go tool
- a list of snorkeling spots or entry points
- a guarantee of conditions on any given day
Local conditions can change quickly.
Always check current conditions and use your own judgment before entering the water.
How coastal zones are defined
Zones in Reefguide are based on coastal exposure, not on specific reefs or beaches.
Each zone reflects:
- the general orientation of the coastline
- typical wind and swell directions for the season
- whether the coast is usually windward, leeward, or mixed
This is how marine professionals (sailors, divers, forecasters) think about coastlines —
Reefguide simply translates that logic into a decision-friendly format.
Why seasonality matters
Snorkeling is especially sensitive to:
- wind
- surface chop
- swell direction
Even small seasonal shifts can make one side of an island consistently workable,
while another side becomes unreliable.
Reefguide focuses on repeatability:
- where calm windows tend to occur more often
- where flexibility is required
- where planning around snorkeling usually leads to disappointment
Confidence levels
Each zone includes a confidence level (High / Medium / Low).
This reflects how repeatable snorkeling conditions tend to be during that period —
not how “good” or “beautiful” a location is.
High confidence does not mean perfect.
Low confidence does not mean impossible.
It simply answers:
How much does this choice usually depend on timing and luck?
Decision impact & staying logic
Instead of recommendations, Reefguide highlights:
- Decision impact — what this choice requires from you in practice
- Staying logic — how people typically plan their base around that coast
This keeps the tool neutral and focused on planning, not selling.
Data sources & approach
Reefguide is informed by long-term marine climatology, including:
- seasonal wind and swell patterns
- coastal exposure principles
- regional marine summaries (e.g. NOAA and equivalent services)
The calculator uses patterns, not live data.
In short
Reefguide doesn’t try to predict the ocean.
It helps you plan around how it usually behaves.