First Time Snorkeling Advice?

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Hi everyone,
I know people out there will have great suggestions, so here goes. We (Me, DH both in our 40's and DDs, 13 and 11) have never snorkeled before. Which excursion did you find best for newbies, or can we try on our own in Key West or the Grand Cayman and see if we even like it? The only ones I know no one wants to try are those involving Stingray City on Grand Cayman; and we are already booked for a Dolphin Swim on Wed. afternoon in Cozumel.

Thanks so much
Kathy

 

[floridaminnie]

I think you would enjoy the scenery better in Grand Cayman than Key West. Don't know about for beginners though.

 

[makaylee]

I havent done the western but, I have heard that CC is great for beginers.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

The only problem with CC is that it is at the end of the cruise and by that time you've missed 2 of the premier snorkeling spots in the caribbean, if not in the world! Grand Cayman is world class for snorkeling with shallow reefs, many you can swim to right from the beach. I learned how to snorkel when I was 6 yrs old....In Grand Cayman. I've been addicted ever since! Cozumel also has nice snorkeling, but the reefs they generally take you to are deeper, so the color isn't as great and you must stay afloat, rather than finding a sandy patch and standing up if you get tired. Of course, there are exceptions.

No matter if you scheduled the dolphin thing, don't miss stingray city. This is not a "Park" or "Zoo" where the animals are penned. It is just a big sandbar (about 4'deep) in the middle of a bay, where stingrays come to feed. They are wild animals, of course tamed by being fed so often, but can come and go as they please. It is an experience that you will be sorry is you missed it. Most excursions in GC for Stingray City will include some snorkeling stops as well. This is a great opportunity, as the gear is included, there are "coaches' there to help out beginners and some of the best snorkeling anywhere.

Key West is not known for it's snorkeling, though you may get an excursion to another Key or something. I would definitley do the snorkeling in Grand Cayman. THEN if you love it as much as I think you will, you can do some in Cozumel, nice as well, but not quite as nice in my opinion, and by the time you get to CC you can just go off on your own and snorkel your little hearts out.

We booked the "Bucanneer" catamaran with Capt. Bryans for our March27th sailing. It is a large catamaran that stops at 2 spots to snorkel, as well as Stingray City - When the cruise excursions are NOT there (that's their claim to fame, Timing!) and it is the only boat with a Liquor license and full bar onboard. And this 4 hour excursion is only costing us $35.00 pp. We can't wait! I've done stingray sandbar, but my husband has not. It is definitly something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime!

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[natdencro]

Remember to wear a tee-shirt when snorkelling! That sun burns your back! Hubby got very badly burned at CC - when he snorkelled for the first time. Nat

 

[jrabbit]

First rule about snorkeling with a DCL excursion - everyone is required to wear a Buoyancy Compensator (BC). It's like a real light life jacket. You can inflate it with as much or as little air as you want. Just a little really keeps you afloat, so you don't have to worry about finding someplace to stand and rest, you can float and rest!

We snorkeled in Key West, or actually about 8 miles off of Key West. It was a DCL excursion. We took a fury catamaran out to the reef. The water was pretty choppy. My son got several snorkels full of water before getting the hang of it (the trick here is to look straight down or a little up - but NOT back towards your feet - the snorkel goes underwater.) The reef was great. Lots of sea critters to look at. No place to stand here the water was 15 to 20 feet deep. Trivia point: it's the 3 largest barrier reef in the world, the first is in Australia (duh!) and the second is in Belieze.

We also snorkeled in Grand Cayman. We did the Shipwreck and Reef snorkel. We snorkeled right in front of where the Magic was anchored. It is a great place for beginners. The water was very calm. We stopped at the shipwreck first. Here the crew tossed in some fish food and is was like swimming in a very crowded aquarium. Way cool. Then we moved a quarter of a mile or so over to a reef and snorkeled there. No fish food here, so we were able to see the fish around the reef. The reef and sea critters were awesome. They have fish called tarpins that look like sharks that hang out at the bottom of the reefs during the day. When you first see them it's kinda scarry. Overall - GREAT EXCURSION!!

Doing Captian Marvin's or Bryons is a good way to get to do some snorkeling and see the sting rays too. Another option is Nativeway - they have had some great reviews on this board.

During one of the days, the crew of the Magic give beginning snorkeling lessons in the Goofy pool - see the navigator for times.

If you are going to WDW before your DCL cruise, you may want to spend a day at Typhoon Lagoon. They have a snorkel attraction there (you snorkel with the sharks!!) That would also give you some basics.

Generally speaking our excursions consist of snorkeling, snorkeling, snorkeling, snorkeling, and more snorkeling! I don't understand the going to the caribbean and doing the shopping, shopping, shopping thing.

Good luck and enjoy learning to snorkel.

 

[WMILLER86]

Believe me, once your daughters get a taste for how beautiful the snorkeling is, they will want more! This past December we took the Fury Catamaran Snorkel tour at Cozumel with myself, DW, DD13, DD8. We will never miss a snorkeling opportunity from now on! It was great. DD8 was a little scared before we got to the shallow reef, and the water took her breath away at first.(Kinda cool) But I stayed close to her and within 5 minutes she was moving so well, I could hardly keep up. The snorkels that are supplied are not"dry" in that the top is open. I invested in our own snorkels and masks before we left, and I was glad. I purchased the "dry" snorkels that sort of help you avoid getting a mouthful of saltwater.
The best part of our entire cruise was the snorkeling. Now DD13 and I are even going to get certified in scuba. We will be sailing the Magic during Thanksgiving this year and going on some dives and snorkeling.
Fury Catamarans has a website that is easy to find. Also, if you buy your own new masks, don't forget to clean the lense really well with toothpaste. This helps prevent fogging in cool water.
You will have a great time whereever you go snorkeling.
Willie

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Thanks so much for all the information! I knew you guys would have some great advice. I also don't get the shopping stuff, (although I think my DD13 would disagree with me there) so our days are pretty wide open. I had no idea there's a little snorkeling instruction in the Goofy Pool, and I'll definately look for that in the Navigator. So now I am off to investigate further....
and as far as Stingray City, I may just book it as part of an excursion directly through the local companies, and then if they are too chicken to get in the water at least we can say we say it!
Thanks again