Never Snorkeled - Couple ??s

[roothy123]

I have never snorkeled, but would like to try it. However, is the vest that some companies or dive & snorkel places provide meant to help you keep afloat, or what? I don't know if I could float for very long (I'm 61, although in reasonable shape overall - just not very athletic!) I'm not planning to do an excursion, just going to a place to snorkel that rents equipment, if that makes any difference in terms of what equipment is available for rent. My husband will go, too. He has snorkeled in the past.

 

Also, we're going to Grand Cayman, Belize, Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Any favorites there, or favorite locations? Obviously, I would need to go somewhere with equipment rental, and preferably not a whole lot of swimming, as I'm rusty on that!

[LocoLoco1]

Roothy123, Hi. Quick answer. Yes. The typical lime/green bouyancy vest for $25 will really help you!! And they pack flat as a pancake. Considering the fact that most snorkel 'tours' know cruise ships' clientele skills will range from Zero to Skilled...they seem to stay in the shallows and keep watch on things. My wife swears by her bouyancy vest.

With that said, I believe you're missing something; you'll WANT to get to coral reefs by sea.

I'd suggest taking a 'catamaran' snorkel tour with maybe a beach BBQ, instead of looking for a dive shop for a mask etc...as walking unescorted to a good snorkeler's beach would problematic by comparison. Once you get there...you'll see. Locomotiveman TOMandPEGGY

[Putterdude]

I am 67 and in lousy shape :o but I snorkel. I had done it as a kid but not for over 50 years. If you can swim you can snorkel, an idea would be to purchase an inexpensive mask and snorkel and try it in local pool. An inflatable vest would give you just that much more confidence.

[Islandbear]

All of those ports have good to great snorkeling.

 

Cozumel "Money Bar" Grab a Taxi from port.

Belize Book A Cruise Tour

Roatan Contact "Bannanarama" and schedule a pick up at the ship

Grand Cayman "Stingray Sail"

 

You can find all the companies with a quick Google Search.

 

Have a great time!

[gerryl12]

The snorkel vest has a tube that you can blow air into, as much as you want. In the salt water you probably won't need much air, if any, to keep you afloat. It acts as floatation as well as it easier for them to keep an eye on you.

[getupgo]

We have been snorkeling for 30 years. My advice is get a good mask. In the store, do not put the strape on, but push the mask to your face and it should stick until you exhale to push it off. That means the seal is good and it fits your face. There is no way to have fun if your mask leaks. We have always been issued a vest so there is no saving at all to buying one.

[mitsugirly]

I have never snorkeled, but would like to try it. However, is the vest that some companies or dive & snorkel places provide meant to help you keep afloat, or what? I don't know if I could float for very long (I'm 61, although in reasonable shape overall - just not very athletic!) I'm not planning to do an excursion, just going to a place to snorkel that rents equipment, if that makes any difference in terms of what equipment is available for rent. My husband will go, too. He has snorkeled in the past.

 

Also, we're going to Grand Cayman, Belize, Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Any favorites there, or favorite locations? Obviously, I would need to go somewhere with equipment rental, and preferably not a whole lot of swimming, as I'm rusty on that!

 

Yes the snorkel vest will keep you afloat. You blow them up and if you ever want to deflate them (maybe to swim down or something) they have a valve on them you push and it deflates them. Also, if you are in salt water, you have more buoyancy than regular water, so that also helps you float.

 

There are tons of places that you can snorkel in waters and see tons of fish and still be able to touch the bottom. That makes it really nice for beginners. :)

 

We were in Roatan 5 months ago and went snorkeling at West Bay (by Tabyana). You might want to check out this thread for tons of information: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1469343

 

The day we went there is was a little cloudy from rain, but we found the further out we went, the clearer it got (and it was not deep at all further out). Here's a review from that day with a link to pictures at the end: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=30663211&postcount=24

 

In Cozumel, we went to Chankanaab and had the BEST day of the cruise there snorkeling. My review with picture link at the end: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=30683350&postcount=59

Now Chankanaab is a little different than Roatan with the snorkeling. You most likely will not be able to touch 90% of the time if you are out in the water and off the steps. However, you can stay close to shore and swim along the edges of the wall and see PLENTY of fish and such there. My 3 year old swam with us the entire time with a life jacket with no problems. :D

[middlehaitch]

I had never snorkled, and my swimming skills are....I can float!...., and am a born couch potato, but we hit a beach on our Caribbean cruise, rented the equipment, including a floatation belt for me, and with a little guidance from 3 friends, we had me snorkling for the whole of the afternoon.

I enjoyed it so much I am looking for places we can go snorkling on our upcomming Panama cruise and have my own gear...child size face so hard to fit.

Go for it and have fun!

cheers, h.