General Snorkeling Questions from a newbie

We have cruised a lot. I tried snorkeling once (using 'their' equipment) and I liked it. I am considering getting my own mask & snorkel; I don't care much for swimfins. I know there e masks for with 'kinda' Rx lenses using the -/+ of your own Rx. My own Rx is -11. I see that -10 is available (at least online) and I will probably check our local dive shop to see what they have (and maybe take their beginner class). Do these Rx masks work well? I have what my dentist calls a small mouth (DH disagrees LOL). Are there snorkel mouth sizes or are they pretty standard? And 3rdly, when I tried the snorkeling, I used a noodle for 'buoyancy'. Do many of the snorkel type excursion supply some type of float? TIA I don't want to go crazy with equipment but would like to try my own stuff.

All excellent questions.

Regarding your mask, the fit is the critical thing for your comfort and enjoyment. Once that's solved you can add corrective lenses to pretty much any mask. Some of this depends on your particular issue. First the refraction of water makes things appear 25% closer and 33% larger underwater. For many people this solves the issue. If you need corrective lenses, then it's far better to have a mask that fits properly fitted with lenses than to live with a mask that you're not comfortable with just because it has lenses.

There are various snorkels that have different features. One issue to keep in mind is that the "fancier" a snorkel you have the more it weighs. Of course we're talking a difference of ounces, but it can be an issue as the snorkel attaches to the mask strap. Different brands will have slightly different mouthpieces, so you may find a more comfortable one for you.

Almost always the ship's excursions, and any commercial snorkeling trip, will insist that you wear a snorkeling vest. This is a better answer than a swim noodle, as any thing that is always buoyant makes it so you' can't "really" snorkel, since you can't dive down below the surface. The real fun of snorkeling should be diving down below the surface to see things close up. Alas, most snorkelers on ship's excursions are basically getting a glass bottom boat trip.

So, you're idea of contacting your local dive shop is right on course. They can show you many options in equipment, and explain the different features; as well as making sure you get a mask that truly fits. Taking a snorkeling course is a great idea. You will spend about 3 hours, and learn how to get MUCH more out of snorkeling.

I know you said you don't like fins, but a properly fitting set of "open heel" fins will allow you to get much more out of you snorkeling experience, and by design you wear them with neoprene booties, which are nice if you are diving from shore, as you can walk on rocks and whatnot with them.

Now of course you can buy snorkeling gear either on line or a big box store, and it will be less expensive. However, by purchasing from a dive shop you'll get the advantage of trying a variety of styles and getting what works best for you, and coordinating your equipment with your training. That being said, if you contact a dive shop and they don't seem willing to spend the time to work with you and fulfill your needs, find another.

Harris

Denver, CO

Thank you for some wonderful ideas.

I have a mask that a dive shop put in corrective lenses for me and it works wonderfully. As the previous poster advised, fit is most important so do go to a dive shop and get fitted properly, you are going to pay more for your gear then say at Walmart or Costco but my experience has been that the investment is well worth it. I would take along a copy of my prescription so the shop knows what strength of lenses to order for....as I recall I paid less than $50 per lens.

I went to the local shop. They were FABULOUS. I had done research and discussed corrective lenses. They were really out of my price range considering I am not totally sure I will stick with this. I talked to them about the Amazon -10 for under $60 and she says they couldn't come close to that price but when I get them, bring them in to make sure they fit properly. I am also signing up for a beginners lesson that she says will be lots of fun. I did get a snorkel with a smaller mouth piece & valve to keep out water. Since it was a discontinued style she gave it to me for $20. I will also be getting a vest from them. If I stick with this, they have definitely got a new customer; and they're only 2 blocks from my house. Thank you both for your encouraging advice.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy snorkeling as much as I do.:)

That sounds great. The reality is if you stick with this, you'll likely end up buying/trying different masks over time. This sounds like it was a great start, and a way to get much more proficient, and consequently enjoy snorkeling more.

As a regular Amazon customer myself, I know the advantage there is if their mask doesn't work out for you you can return with no problem Not all on line retailers are so easy to deal with.

Please let us know how it goes.

Harris

Denver, CO

An update on my adventure. I ordered Rx mask for DH; he is thrilled how clear everything is. I couldn't get a mask for my Rx so my lovely DH took my clear mask (no Rx) and since I just got new glasses he took an older pair, removed the bows and smoothed the edges. The glasses fit VERY snugly in the mask and in the proper position for me to see. MY GLASSES DO NOT BUDGE! We then went to our son's inground pool to 'check things out'. My snorkel & mask worked perfectly but DH's snorkel (after about 3/4 breaths) started making gurgling sounds and water would come in through the bottom valve (purger?). On closer inspection, there seems to be a slight defect in the smoothness of the plastic that the 'valve' lies against. We will be visiting the dive shop tomorrow; hopefully for a free replacement of (at least) the purge section. I did some more research about fogging cuz I was having that issue. I used the baby shampoo/water combo rinse and let them dry the night before. I also paid attention to leave my mask in place even coming up out of the water, turning away from the sun also. WOW - no foggingI should be taking the class this Saturday but I feel very comfortable floating around both with with/out the snorkel vest. I am so excited, I am setting up 3 snorkel adventures for our cruise in October.

That's Great! The class should make you even more excited for October!

Harris

Denver, CO

I also paid attention to leave my mask in place even coming up out of the water

This is key. Basically, as soon as you take your mask off, you have to re-defog. (Which is why I just use spit.)

Also, this may sound obvious, but I haven't mastered it. Don't breathe out of your nose above water. (Underwater it won't cause fogging, but above water it does.)

Also, many masks have a residual coating on them from the manufacturer which will cause constant fogging until it's removed (at least for scuba, I assume it'd be the same for snorkeling). A good hand scrub with toothpaste usually does the trick.

That's Great! The class should make you even more excited for October!

 

Harris

Denver, CO

Hi. I was just looking for some snorkeling location ideas and it looks like you might be the one to ask. We are heading on 2 Caribbean cruises in January and I'm hoping for some insight into which beaches and/or tours would be the ones to go on.

If you have the time and wouldn't mind suggesting some locations/tours, that would be wonderful.

We are stopping at Grand Turk (twice), Aruba, Bonaire, St. Kitt (twice), Antique, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Dominica, Montego Bay.

Also interested in any suggestions regarding - paddle boarding, zip lining, forests/animals, kayaking - you get the idea.

If you're too busy, no worries, figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

Thank you for your time.

Diana

Hi. I was just looking for some snorkeling location ideas and it looks like you might be the one to ask. We are heading on 2 Caribbean cruises in January and I'm hoping for some insight into which beaches and/or tours would be the ones to go on.

If you have the time and wouldn't mind suggesting some locations/tours, that would be wonderful.

We are stopping at Grand Turk (twice), Aruba, Bonaire, St. Kitt (twice), Antique, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Dominica, Montego Bay.

Also interested in any suggestions regarding - paddle boarding, zip lining, forests/animals, kayaking - you get the idea.

If you're too busy, no worries, figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

Thank you for your time.

Diana

Diana,

Glad to help if I can. First I'm a scuba guy, so my experiences are diving, not snorkeling in the islands. But I may be able to help you winnow down the ideas.

I would look hardest at Bonaire, Dominica and St. Thomas. In Dominica some of the great diving was in depths that could easily have been snorkeled. Bonaire is known for shore (as opposed to boat) diving, adn consequently there should be loads of great snorkeling there as well. St. Thomas also has several spots known for shore diving Coki beach for example.

We had great diving in St. Kitts, but I'm not sure how the snorkeling would be there.

I've not been to Grand Turk or Puerto Rico. In Jamaica I didn't go on any type of excursion, but I've heard nothing to make me think there'd be any good diving there.

I hope this might give you an idea where to focus your search, but I apologize I can't give you more specific advice.

Harris

Denver, CO

Having done most of those stops (exclusive of Dominica and MB), Bonaire will be your best. If you can, book with an excursion called Woodwind. They are first-class all the way. When we went last March, there were two excursions, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. The morning one (the one we were on) went to two spots off of Klein (Little) Bonaire. The afternoon one only did one spot. You will have about 45 - 60 minutes in the water at each spot and will see some truly amazing coral and wildlife.

I've heard Dominica is also a nice place to snorkel, Coki at St Thomas is supposed to be good. The rest of the islands are fair to poor, at least IMHO.

Steve

Diana,

 

Glad to help if I can. First I'm a scuba guy, so my experiences are diving, not snorkeling in the islands. But I may be able to help you winnow down the ideas.

 

I would look hardest at Bonaire, Dominica and St. Thomas. In Dominica some of the great diving was in depths that could easily have been snorkeled. Bonaire is known for shore (as opposed to boat) diving, adn consequently there should be loads of great snorkeling there as well. St. Thomas also has several spots known for shore diving Coki beach for example.

 

We had great diving in St. Kitts, but I'm not sure how the snorkeling would be there.

 

I've not been to Grand Turk or Puerto Rico. In Jamaica I didn't go on any type of excursion, but I've heard nothing to make me think there'd be any good diving there.

 

I hope this might give you an idea where to focus your search, but I apologize I can't give you more specific advice.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

Thanks for taking the time to help out. I'll have a closer look at the places you suggested. One port is offering a learn to scuba, thinking I should do that. Thanks again. Diana

Having done most of those stops (exclusive of Dominica and MB), Bonaire will be your best. If you can, book with an excursion called Woodwind. They are first-class all the way. When we went last March, there were two excursions, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. The morning one (the one we were on) went to two spots off of Klein (Little) Bonaire. The afternoon one only did one spot. You will have about 45 - 60 minutes in the water at each spot and will see some truly amazing coral and wildlife.

 

I've heard Dominica is also a nice place to snorkel, Coki at St Thomas is supposed to be good. The rest of the islands are fair to poor, at least IMHO.

 

Steve

Thanks so much Steve.

Thanks for taking the time to help out. I'll have a closer look at the places you suggested. One port is offering a learn to scuba, thinking I should do that. Thanks again. Diana

A "Discover Scuba" (or "Try Scuba", same thing) excursion may be something you really enjoy. You'll get a relatively short briefing on scuba basics, then go for an escorted dive. There are limitations on the depth to which you'll go, and some other things, but none of those will lessen your experience at this point. Your snorkeling experience will be a good foundation, and having your own snorkeling gear will ensure you have comfortable basic equipment.

Of course the idea of a try scuba course is to encourage you to go forward to getting certified. That is something that takes more time than you can do in a single port; and something I don't recommend people do on a vacation, but instead take care of at home. Something to remember during your try scuba is that you've only had the very basics of instruction, and you'll be accompanied the whole time by an instructor. Diving once certified is much more relaxed because you'll know the details that try scuba courses in essence ask you to take on faith.

One thing you may see advertised in ports; and that at least some lines do aboard ship, is a "Scuba Diver" certification course. Although it sounds like what people want, it's usually not. Paradoxically if you want to be a scuba diver, you want an open water diver course, not a scuba diver course. The scuba diver course is about half the full open water course, and certifies you only to dive with a dive pro and only to a depth of 40 feet. Open Water certification results in your qualification as an "Autonomous Diver". You can get your own air fills and dive with any other certified diver, and to any depth down to the no decompression limit. The OW course is roughly twice as long as the Scuba Diver course, and requires at least four training dives, as opposed to only two for Scuba Diver. However, the extra time and training are well worth it for the added knowledge and capabilities.

I see you're from Vancouver Island. If you do a try scuba on your cruise and decide you want to pursue your certification, look me up again (my email is in the link in my signature below). I remember a diver from a Hawaii/French Polynesia cruise a few years ago. I can't remember if she was from Vancouver City or the island, but she impressed me because she was newly certified at a dive center up there, and had excellent skills. It was funny because she made such a point of telling the others in the group she was new. Had she not said anything, no one would have known. I could contact her for you and learn where she underwent her training. Her skills were testament to the quality of the program there.

Harris

Denver, CO

A "Discover Scuba" (or "Try Scuba", same thing) excursion may be something you really enjoy. You'll get a relatively short briefing on scuba basics, then go for an escorted dive. There are limitations on the depth to which you'll go, and some other things, but none of those will lessen your experience at this point. Your snorkeling experience will be a good foundation, and having your own snorkeling gear will ensure you have comfortable basic equipment.

 

Of course the idea of a try scuba course is to encourage you to go forward to getting certified. That is something that takes more time than you can do in a single port; and something I don't recommend people do on a vacation, but instead take care of at home. Something to remember during your try scuba is that you've only had the very basics of instruction, and you'll be accompanied the whole time by an instructor. Diving once certified is much more relaxed because you'll know the details that try scuba courses in essence ask you to take on faith.

 

One thing you may see advertised in ports; and that at least some lines do aboard ship, is a "Scuba Diver" certification course. Although it sounds like what people want, it's usually not. Paradoxically if you want to be a scuba diver, you want an open water diver course, not a scuba diver course. The scuba diver course is about half the full open water course, and certifies you only to dive with a dive pro and only to a depth of 40 feet. Open Water certification results in your qualification as an "Autonomous Diver". You can get your own air fills and dive with any other certified diver, and to any depth down to the no decompression limit. The OW course is roughly twice as long as the Scuba Diver course, and requires at least four training dives, as opposed to only two for Scuba Diver. However, the extra time and training are well worth it for the added knowledge and capabilities.

 

I see you're from Vancouver Island. If you do a try scuba on your cruise and decide you want to pursue your certification, look me up again (my email is in the link in my signature below). I remember a diver from a Hawaii/French Polynesia cruise a few years ago. I can't remember if she was from Vancouver City or the island, but she impressed me because she was newly certified at a dive center up there, and had excellent skills. It was funny because she made such a point of telling the others in the group she was new. Had she not said anything, no one would have known. I could contact her for you and learn where she underwent her training. Her skills were testament to the quality of the program there.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

Thanks for all the info and tips. Through my work, I deal with a diving place, so should be covered there if I love it and want to get certified. Thanks again, happy cruising.

After I return in Nov (7)I will let you know how my St Kitts see snorkeling went. I am really looking forward to my new adventure underwater.

After I return in Nov (7)I will let you know how my St Kitts see snorkeling went. I am really looking forward to my new adventure underwater.

Awesome. We have 2 stops in St. Kitts coming up in January. Very interested in any snorkeling location tips.:)

I am on our cruise right now. Due to poor planning on my part, I cut the meet-up time with Blue Water Safari too close and we (2) missed them. Our port clearance was longer than I anticipated. We were the only 2 from our ship and they left 5 minutes before we arrived. HOWEVER I will definitely recommend them because they were kind enough to refund our full payment. It was my fault and they were very understanding. They will get my business the next time still in St. Kitts.

I am on our cruise right now. Due to poor planning on my part, I cut the meet-up time with Blue Water Safari too close and we (2) missed them. Our port clearance was longer than I anticipated. We were the only 2 from our ship and they left 5 minutes before we arrived. HOWEVER I will definitely recommend them because they were kind enough to refund our full payment. It was my fault and they were very understanding. They will get my business the next time still in St. Kitts.

Thank you. I believe this is the tour we are doing. So great news.