Friends' trip with different swimming levels
Some of your friends swim like fish and some cannot swim at all, and you want everyone included.
Rate everyone honestly before you book, then plan one main activity that includes all levels and one optional activity for the strong swimmers. A mixed group can have a great trip when the plan respects each person’s level. Nobody should be pressured into water they are not ready for.
For the group plan, see choosing an island for a friend group. For an island that suits non-swimmers, see best Terengganu island for non-swimmers.
How do you learn each person’s level?
Send a private message with four options: cannot swim, can float, can swim short distances, confident. Ask for honest answers and reassure the group that all answers are fine. People tend to overstate at the start of a trip and regret it in the water.
Share only the totals with the group: how many in each level. That is enough to plan.
How do you plan the activities?
| Activity | Who it includes | Ask the operator |
|---|---|---|
| Beach day | Everyone | Is the shore shallow and supervised? |
| Snorkel trip with floats | Non-swimmers and swimmers | Are flotation aids and a close guide provided? |
| Kayak with a guide | Mixed levels | Are lifejackets worn, and how many guests per guide? |
| Deep-water or drift snorkel | Strong swimmers only | What are the current and depth? |
Use the first three as the main plan. Offer the last as optional for confident swimmers.
What is the buddy rule?
Pair a stronger swimmer with a weaker one, and ask them to stay within arm’s reach in the water. Change pairs through the day so no one carries the whole load. The rule is simple: nobody enters deeper water alone.
Add a second rule: everyone wears a lifejacket on the boat. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) advises operators to provide enough lifejackets for all passengers [1].
The exact rule for passenger boats is not in our research, so ask what your operator provides. See lifejackets on island boats.
What should you ask the resort?
- What are the water entry and depth near the resort beach?
- Is there a marked swimming area, and is it supervised?
- Can non-swimmers join your snorkel trip, and with what aids?
- What is the group size and the guide ratio?
- Is there a pool for those who prefer it?
Read snorkelling for a mixed group and snorkel package for non-swimmers.
A better fit if…
A resort with a gentle beach, a pool and a snorkel trip that allows aids may be a better fit for a mixed group. A site with a steep drop-off and strong current may suit you less. For a wider comparison, see how to compare resorts for non-swimmers.
Common questions
How do we find out everyone's swimming level?
Ask each person to rate themselves privately on a short scale, such as cannot swim, can float, can swim short distances, confident. Reassure them that any answer is fine. Accurate answers protect the person and the group, and let you plan activities that suit everyone.
Can non-swimmers join a snorkel trip?
With a flotation aid and a guide beside them, but it depends on the operator. Ask whether a lifejacket or float is provided, how many guests each guide watches and what the group size is. A non-swimmer should not be left without close supervision.
What if the group wants to do something that excludes one friend?
Offer a parallel option rather than a vote. While the swimmers snorkel, the others can take a beach walk, kayak with a guide or relax at the resort. Plan this in advance so no one feels left behind.
Sources
- Borneo Post (citing MMEA) (accessed 2026-10-16)