Castaway Cay Snorkeling question

[kmk1180]

We have reserved the snorkeling excursion at Castaway Cay for our trip.
Since we're doing the Snorkeling Tour...do we get to use that equipment the rest of the day also to
do any snorkeling in the lagoon at Castaway Cay?

OR
Can we bring our own gear for lagoon snorkeling?

I know mask, snorkel, and vest are required. (it's what comes with when you rent from them)
Do arm floaties count?
If not..what kind of vest is it?
scuba vest? (like they used to have and give at Shark reef in Typhoon Lagoon)
or is it blow up inflatable vest?

Can we bring our own vest, mask and snorkel?
So then we can snorkel the lagoon without having to rent extra again?

Thanks

 

[truck1]

We have reserved the snorkeling excursion at Castaway Cay for our trip.
Since we're doing the Snorkeling Tour...do we get to use that equipment the rest of the day also to
do any snorkeling in the lagoon at Castaway Cay?

OR
Can we bring our own gear for lagoon snorkeling?

I know mask, snorkel, and vest are required. (it's what comes with when you rent from them)
Do arm floaties count?
If not..what kind of vest is it?
scuba vest? (like they used to have and give at Shark reef in Typhoon Lagoon)
or is it blow up inflatable vest?

Can we bring our own vest, mask and snorkel?
So then we can snorkel the lagoon without having to rent extra again?

Thanks

You can bring your own mask fins snorkel and vest if you choose. As long as your wearing a vest similar to the picture, DCL I happy. The vests themselves look like this.

http://www.diversdirect.com/scuba-diving/evo-snorkel-vest-pink

 

[dcassetta]

if your snorkeling excursion is from a boat, I do not think they would allow you to take the snorkeling equipment with you to the beach and lagoon. I would think the gear would have to stay on the boat.

You can absolutely bring all of your own gear. We always do. Disney does provide snorkeling vests for free, and you are required to wear one. The vest can be inflated.

 

[kmk1180]

if your snorkeling excursion is from a boat, I do not think they would allow you to take the snorkeling equipment with you to the beach and lagoon. I would think the gear would have to stay on the boat.

You can absolutely bring all of your own gear. We always do. Disney does provide snorkeling vests for free, and you are required to wear one. The vest can be inflated.

Thanks for the tip.

Follow up question..if we bring our own gear..are find required? or can we bring just snorkel and mask,
get a vest from them?
Fins sound like they would take lot of space in the luggage.
Rather not have to bring them if we don't have to.

 

[bbel]

Thanks for the tip.

Follow up question..if we bring our own gear..are find required? or can we bring just snorkel and mask,
get a vest from them?
Fins sound like they would take lot of space in the luggage.
Rather not have to bring them if we don't have to.

As long as you have a vest on, which are free from the rental place or lifeguard stand, you can wear whatever you want. Only the vest is required in the snorkel area

 

[truck1]

Thanks for the tip.

Follow up question..if we bring our own gear..are find required? or can we bring just snorkel and mask,
get a vest from them?
Fins sound like they would take lot of space in the luggage.
Rather not have to bring them if we don't have to.

Fins required in the lagoon no. On the boat, not sure since Ive never done the snorkel tour on CC in the open ocean. Are fins usefull, in either location yes. DCL does have vests all over the place on CC. On the lifeguard stands, near the water, where you rent the gear. etc. Its the only piece of equipment that is mandatory in the snorkel lagoon. And there free. Whether you bring your own or use DCLs you have to wear one.

I will say this about the lagoon. If you don't use fins, make sure you work with the current. It will tire you out, and make life miserable. Theres 2 different entrances. Use the one that will allow the current to push you to the other side. Also, theres white and orange balls in the lagoon. Under each ball, is something that DCL put down. Theres Mickey and Minnie Statues, a sub from 20K among other things.

 

[SophieMarie423]

Hi there!

This is our first Disney Cruise and my husband loves snorkeling but I've never done it. He has never snorkeled with a vest and is wondering if it will not let you sink enough to see the really cool stuff?

Thank you!
Sophie

 

[wilkeliza]

Hi there!

This is our first Disney Cruise and my husband loves snorkeling but I've never done it. He has never snorkeled with a vest and is wondering if it will not let you sink enough to see the really cool stuff?

Thank you!
Sophie

The vest can quickly be deflated if you want to go down. While you are floating you keep it inflated and then when you want to go down you deflated, dive, and re-inflate when you surface and just want to float. If he never wants to inflate the vest that is fine to, they are mostly used for visibility as they are bright colors making you easier to spot for the life guards.

 

[wilkeliza]

OP if don't want to bring fins but want them for the boat excursion every single one I have done lets you use their fins with your equipment. The big reason being you have already paid for use of their equipment in your excursion price. I have to use my own mask as it is prescription and I can't get over using a rental mouth piece so use my own as well. I known they are disinfected but I still prefer my own.

 

[SophieMarie423]

Thanks Wilkeliza, that makes a lot of sense! I think we just added snorkeling to our list of things to do, thanks to you!

Sophie

 

[Delindz]

The vest can quickly be deflated if you want to go down. While you are floating you keep it inflated and then when you want to go down you deflated, dive, and re-inflate when you surface and just want to float. If he never wants to inflate the vest that is fine to, they are mostly used for visibility as they are bright colors making you easier to spot for the life guards.

Recently returned from a cruise and did the snorkeling. It was my first time snorkeling and I normally do not naturally float. I never inflated my vest and was able to stay afloat high enough to breathe through the snorkel. I was also able to dive down deeper a few times. I think the fins caused me to stay afloat so easily, or I'm just getting too fat.

 

[truck1]

Hi there!

This is our first Disney Cruise and my husband loves snorkeling but I've never done it. He has never snorkeled with a vest and is wondering if it will not let you sink enough to see the really cool stuff?

Thank you!
Sophie

If theres air in it, roll over onto your right side and pull the top of the inflation tube down. This will let all of the air out.

The lagoon ranges in depth from about 6 feet to 10 feet.

 

[SophieMarie423]

Thanks for the great info, my husband will be very excited! I appreciate your help!

Sophie

 

[donkthemagicllama]

If you are comfortable snorkelling, just put the vest on and don’t inflate it. They make you wear it (so you’re visible to the lifeguards, I assume), but they don’t care if you inflate it.

Don’t attempt to snorkel without a vest, the lifeguard will yell at you!

The lagoon depth varys greatly with the tide. At low tide it’s probably only 4 feet deep as far as the Minnie statue.