tbmrt Posted October 5, 2015 #1 Share Posted October 5, 2015 I know we can't mention brand names, but wondering if I should wear my cheap nylon topped standard water shoes or those similar to K__nes with harder bottom for snorkeling in areas with sea urchins, etc. The shoes with the harder bottoms (K__nes) would seem better, but wonder if they are clunky to wear in water snorkeling? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted October 5, 2015 #2 Share Posted October 5, 2015 You certainly CAN mention names of shoes...just not Travel Agents!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryann ns Posted October 5, 2015 #3 Share Posted October 5, 2015 Aren't you going to wear flippers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizmark'sMom Posted October 5, 2015 #4 Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) I use diver's fins when I snorkel, so I wear the more flexible reef shoes. The diver's fins slip on over the shoes. Reef shoes are also flexible enough that I can swim in them. Swimming in something like Keens would be much harder. You're aware that putting your feet down once you're in deep enough water to swim is discouraged, right? You don't want to accidentally squish any critters, so most of the time snorkeling is spent floating or swimming. I usually wade in about thigh deep, get my fins on, put my face down, push off, and go. Edited October 5, 2015 by Bizmark'sMom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherylandtk Posted October 5, 2015 #5 Share Posted October 5, 2015 I use diver's fins when I snorkel' date=' so I wear the more flexible reef shoes. The diver's fins slip on over the shoes. Reef shoes are also flexible enough that I can swim in them. Swimming in something like Keens would be much harder. You're aware that putting your feet down once you're in deep enough water to swim is discouraged, right? You don't want to accidentally squish any critters, so most of the time snorkeling is spent floating or swimming. I usually wade in about thigh deep, get my fins on, put my face down, push off, and go.[/quote'] This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbmrt Posted October 5, 2015 Author #6 Share Posted October 5, 2015 I use diver's fins when I snorkel' date=' so I wear the more flexible reef shoes. The diver's fins slip on over the shoes. Reef shoes are also flexible enough that I can swim in them. Swimming in something like Keens would be much harder. You're aware that putting your feet down once you're in deep enough water to swim is discouraged, right? You don't want to accidentally squish any critters, so most of the time snorkeling is spent floating or swimming. I usually wade in about thigh deep, get my fins on, put my face down, push off, and go.[/quote'] Yes, I understand about floating or swimming and not "stepping on stuff"...I am just afraid of getting in and out of the water to the point of being able to float/swim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hancock Posted October 5, 2015 #7 Share Posted October 5, 2015 I know we can't mention brand names, but wondering if I should wear my cheap nylon topped standard water shoes or those similar to K__nes with harder bottom for snorkeling in areas with sea urchins, etc. The shoes with the harder bottoms (K__nes) would seem better, but wonder if they are clunky to wear in water snorkeling? Thanks We can advise you better if you tell us where you plan to snorkel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbmrt Posted October 5, 2015 Author #8 Share Posted October 5, 2015 We can advise you better if you tell us where you plan to snorkel. Costa Maya Grand Cayman Cozumel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Ocean Lover Posted October 5, 2015 #9 Share Posted October 5, 2015 I've snorkeled in all three places and unless you are really getting off the beaten path you should be fine without the hard soled shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anonmom Posted October 5, 2015 #10 Share Posted October 5, 2015 Aren't you going to wear flippers? Not the OP, but I am also going to snorkel on my cruise (Cozumel & Roatan) and I thought flippers were more for serious snorkeling? If we are snorkeling for the first time and just going from the shore (and not very far, since my 4 year old will be with us), can we just use the water shoes without snorkel fins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartbda Posted October 5, 2015 #11 Share Posted October 5, 2015 Not the OP, but I am also going to snorkel on my cruise (Cozumel & Roatan) and I thought flippers were more for serious snorkeling? If we are snorkeling for the first time and just going from the shore (and not very far, since my 4 year old will be with us), can we just use the water shoes without snorkel fins? You don't need fins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 5, 2015 #12 Share Posted October 5, 2015 OP, We are permitted to name things by brand name but not Travel Agents or Travel booking references entities. It's fine to mention shoe brand names. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe1500 Posted October 5, 2015 #13 Share Posted October 5, 2015 Yes, I understand about floating or swimming and not "stepping on stuff"...I am just afraid of getting in and out of the water to the point of being able to float/swim The easiest way is to put on your fins while on the beach and then turn around so you can walk backward into the surf until you its deep enough to turn and float. Then, do the same thing when you are getting out onto the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted October 6, 2015 #14 Share Posted October 6, 2015 The easiest way is to put on your fins while on the beach and then turn around so you can walk backward into the surf until you its deep enough to turn and float. Then, do the same thing when you are getting out onto the beach. This is really not safe. You should carry your fins to waist deep water and put them on there. You should NEVER walk in fins. As far as shoes you should not need any type of shoes to snorkel. You should walk in to and out of the water on sand, and never touch any rocks or coral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe1500 Posted October 6, 2015 #15 Share Posted October 6, 2015 This is really not safe. You should carry your fins to waist deep water and put them on there. You should NEVER walk in fins. As far as shoes you should not need any type of shoes to snorkel. You should walk in to and out of the water on sand, and never touch any rocks or coral. It is safe...snorkeling from a beach 101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizmark'sMom Posted October 6, 2015 #16 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Not the OP, but I am also going to snorkel on my cruise (Cozumel & Roatan) and I thought flippers were more for serious snorkeling? If we are snorkeling for the first time and just going from the shore (and not very far, since my 4 year old will be with us), can we just use the water shoes without snorkel fins? You don't *need* fins, but they help give you more power to work with or against waves and currents. If you are staying in a very calm area, you won't need them. If you have wave action or currents in your area, you'll want them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
searoses Posted October 6, 2015 #17 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Regular water shoes are fine....off the beach snorkeling is easy at the park in cozumel....chankanaub.....don't miss stingray city in grand cayman....go with captain marvin,making sure your little one can wear a life jacket he should be able to provide...an outstanding excursion....I wear water shoes on most excursions into any water.....you would sense you are touching something immediately and able to move away.....my grown daughter was careless and did knick a black uurchin.... some gin and a needle fixed her up.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorisis Posted October 6, 2015 #18 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I'd stick with the water shoes and fins I like the shorter fins for snorkeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted October 6, 2015 #19 Share Posted October 6, 2015 It is safe...snorkeling from a beach 101 It is not safe. . . . snorkeling from a beach 101. Never ever under any circumstance should you walk in fins, either front or backwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe1500 Posted October 6, 2015 #20 Share Posted October 6, 2015 (edited) It is not safe. . . . snorkeling from a beach 101. Never ever under any circumstance should you walk in fins, either front or backwards. I respect your opinion but it is not necessarily everyone's opinion or the only way to enter the water, especially in a current. If anyone wants to hear more on beach entry while snorkeling, search the Scuba and Snorkeling forum here on Cruise Critic or google it. Edited October 6, 2015 by Chloe1500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quelah Posted October 6, 2015 #21 Share Posted October 6, 2015 It is not safe. . . . snorkeling from a beach 101. Never ever under any circumstance should you walk in fins, either front or backwards. Why do you think it isn't safe? I've snorkeled from a beach many times. I put my fins on and walk backwards into the water until its deep enough to swim. That works just fine and I have always felt perfectly safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Ocean Lover Posted October 6, 2015 #22 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I'm assuming that what is meant by not safe is that you should never turn your back to the ocean. While there is truth to this statement, if you walk backwards and look back as you are doing it you shouldn't have any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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