Castaway Cay Snorkeling Water Depth

[richmo]

Could you give me an idea as to the range of the water depth at the CC snorkel lagoon?

 

[Page4]

It seems to be about 10ft in the deep end.

 

[BealsRwe]

We just got back from snorkeling at Castaway Cay. You start out on the beach, and then depending on tide, I would say the water depth in places is 3 ft to probably 8-12 feet. Everyone must wear a snorkel vest when snorkeling at Castaway Cay. Our 6 year old DD did it, and loved it! Be sure to swim to the white buoy...great surprise under the water. You can even see some fish around the shore. Great fun for all!

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Everyone must wear a life jacket when snorkeling at Castaway Cay.

It's not exactly a "life jacket"... it's a snorkling vest, and DCL has plenty extra right on the beach for use by people that bring their own snorkling equipment.

It's basically an inflatable vest. You blow on a valve (that's within reach of your mouth while wearing the vest) to inflate the vest, or use press on the valve to release the air. You can remove ALL the air to make it easy to dive if you wish, but the ability to inflate it allows you to use it like a flotation device so that you can "rest" if you should get tired.

If you snorkle off the adult beach, the vests are not required. The water out there starts ankle deep, and you have to go about 100 feet off shore before it's really deep enough to swim. Once you get out to about 100 yards off shore, the depth will be about 6 to 8 feet.

 

[poohj80]

Our 6 year old DD did it, and loved it! Be sure to swim to the white buoy...great surprise under the water. You can even see some fish around the shore. Great fun for all!

How far out is the white buoy? Did your 6 yr old have issues swimming that far? We're wondering if we have rented a float if we can push DD (4) out to buoy, let her snorkel, then push her back? She doesn't swim well yet and are afraid the swim will wear her out for the rest of the day.

 

[BealsRwe]

How far out is the white buoy? Did your 6 yr old have issues swimming that far? We're wondering if we have rented a float if we can push DD (4) out to buoy, let her snorkel, then push her back? She doesn't swim well yet and are afraid the swim will wear her out for the rest of the day.

Our 6 year old did make it our that far. The floats are not allowed in the snorkel area. We would swim awhile, and then float and rest.


Sorry, yes a snorkel vest, but you could get a life jacket for your child...the snorkel vest allows more floating on your stomach vs a life preserver.

 

[truck1]

How far out is the white buoy? Did your 6 yr old have issues swimming that far? We're wondering if we have rented a float if we can push DD (4) out to buoy, let her snorkel, then push her back? She doesn't swim well yet and are afraid the swim will wear her out for the rest of the day.

Theres actually 2 courses in the lagoon. 1 is a beginners course, and the other is a advanced.Each float that is out there, has something different under it. Some one figured the total distance.Heres what they posted

The "short" trail is about 1,400ft round trip.
The "long" trail is about 2,430ft round trip

As far as pushing your dd, that shouldnt be a problem. Idont know if youve seen them or not, but they make a bathing suit that has flotation built into it.We had that for my dd, as she didnt do well either until she got older. You can put the snorkel vest over the flotation suit.

 

[poohj80]

Thanks for the help! DD has outgrown the built in suits and swims fairly well for a 4 yr old, but she hasn't really had to swim long distances much. More concerned about her getting too tired to do anything the rest of the day.

So, should I assume Mickey is along the "long" trail?

 

[truck1]

I think so. Theres more than just Mickey out there. Minnie if I remember correctly is almost straight out from the beach to the left, under a ball. Everything Disney has out there, is under a ball, either orange or white.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Just remember that if they are an ok swimmer in the pool they will be a better swimmer in the ocean due to the salt water. If the tide is calm (which it usually is at the snorkel beach) a young child with moderate swimming ability should be able to get out to the sunken Mickey. The real treat at the snorkel lagoon is if you go way out to the end of the roped off area, all of a sudden there are a lot of fish usually.

 

[petunia]

Is there anywhere I could get more info/pics about snorkeling at CC? We had no idea about this on our cruise last year...would love more info about it.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Our kids were doing just fine snorkeling until someone came up to us while we were around the Minnie buoy and asked if we had seen the Baracudas yet. At that, my boys decided they had had enough of snorkeling for the day.

 

[willturner]

Idont know if youve seen them or not, but they make a bathing suit that has flotation built into it.We had that for my dd, as she didnt do well either until she got older. You can put the snorkel vest over the flotation suit.

I'm glad to hear they allow the suits with built-in floatation - it does allow the kids to put their faces in the water more easily. Was your dd allowed on Pelican Plunge with the same suit?

 

[truck1]

Pelican Plunge hadnt been announced the last time we were there. Id assume that it wouldnt be a problem, but I cant swear to it one way or another.What we did was to put it over her regular bathing suit, so that she could take it off on the beach, so it wasnt as cumbersome walking around or playing on the beach.

 

[poohj80]

I'm glad to hear they allow the suits with built-in floatation - it does allow the kids to put their faces in the water more easily. Was your dd allowed on Pelican Plunge with the same suit?

They have life vests at Pelicon Plunge so they may ask the child wear a life vest over the suit just to be safe.

 

[truck1]

Is there anywhere I could get more info/pics about snorkeling at CC? We had no idea about this on our cruise last year...would love more info about it.

What other info would you like? These are some of the pics I took from the lagoon, and are a mix of both courses:

 

[poohj80]

Wow! Thanks!

 

[petunia]

Thanks for the pics...they're awesome. I guess I wanted to know how much it costs, is it a group/session thing, or do you just get equipment and go on your merry way, do you book apps, where do you it, as we didn't see any signs about it, how long do you get/or does it take...that kind of info.

 

[truck1]

Thank You.

There is and isnt a fee. If you dont have any snorkel gear, I want to say its 35 per person. If you bring your own gear, its free.

There is not time limit on it, and you dont have to wait for a group or a session.You can spend as much or as little time in the water as youd like.

Theres 2 ways to rent the gear if you need it. 1 is to book in advance, and the other is to book at the bldg that houses all of the snorkel equipment. If Im not mistaken, its the same bldg that has the floats.Once you have the gear, you can go right to the waters edge of the snorkel lagoon or use it later in the day.Theres a cm near by that will give you pointers if you need them.

 

[poohj80]

Thank You.

There is and isnt a fee. If you dont have any snorkel gear, I want to say its 35 per person. If you bring your own gear, its free.

There is a Catamaran excursion that is more:

Seahorse Catamaran Snorkel Adventure Port: Castaway Cay
Type: Water Sports Ages: 5 And Up
Level: Moderate Price: Adult: $52 (ages 10 and up)
Child : $36 (ages 5-9)


but just snorkeling is:

Snorkel Lagoon Equipment Rental Port: Castaway Cay
Type: Water Sports Ages: 5 And Up
Level: Moderate Price: Adult: $25 (ages 10 and up)
Child : $10 (ages 5-9)

Now that I've looked this up, has anyone snorkeled with a 4 yr old and had any issues?