My Family Has Never Snorkeled...

[mickeymom22]

We have never been snorkeling before...

We have stops at Key West, Nassau, and Castaway Cay.

Tell me about any snorkeling adventures you have had at these stops. Best time? Worst time? A company you prefer to use...etc...

Thanks!

 

[a1tinkfans]

I would think snorkeling at castaway Cay best for first timers. I would also suggest that if ur group includes kids ( and sometimes even adults) not everyone just takes to snorkeling. It can be a little off putting for some, getting used to breathing etc. staying close to each other to begin with to get acclimated May help somewhat.
Assuming no one wears glasses....
Have a great trip n be safe..

 

[Pooh2]

Always thought it would be so fun to snorkel. My claustrophobia got the best of me and just could not do it!
My husband wears glasses and did not enjoy it because he could not see much.
Our adult kids though loved it!

 

[dcassetta]

We have never been snorkeling before...

We have stops at Key West, Nassau, and Castaway Cay.

Tell me about any snorkeling adventures you have had at these stops. Best time? Worst time? A company you prefer to use...etc...

Thanks!

I would recommend Castaway Cay for your first snorkel experience. Primarily because you can do it off beach. A snorkel trip In Key West Nassau would be from a boat. So in addition to learning how to snorkel you'd have to enter and exit the water on a boat ladder. Some people find that intimidating all by itself. Plus, on a boat cruise you'll be in over your head from the beginning. If you snorkel from the beach you can walk in and keep your feet down until you feel more comfortable.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

So our family's first experience snorkeling was at Castaway Cay. A quiet, calm place to check out the experience. The kids, who were young at the time, didn't take to it so well back then. And it was a long swim out to see the Mickey statue etc. My husband and I ended up taking turns towing them back to shore as they got tired. It was fine, but I was happy we were in place with life guards and not much of a current. Personally I would not snorkel or attempt to, unless I was a proficient swimmer, even wearing the mandatory float vest.

 

[KashasMom]

We booked 3 Island Snorkel and Beach Adventure in Nassau through Disney (we very rarely book through the cruise line).

The excursion was described as:

On this adventure you will…

• Board your vessel and receive a guided tour as you travel through Nassau Harbor.
• The tour is 3 hours and begins with a photo opportunity of the world famous Gilligan's Island.
• Proceed to Green Cay where you'll have an opportunity to swim with turtles.
• Stop at Rose Island and snorkel through the reefs or travel to Athol Island reef and ship wreck .
• Float off Rose Island's coast or relax along on the beach.
• Enjoy complimentary soft drinks throughout the tour and during the activities.

The waters were unbelievably rough. So much so that we didn't go anywhere near Gilligan's Island nor did we swim with the turtles, which was the ONLY reason I booked this excursion. We didn't snorkel off Rose Island either. We only snorkeled off Athol Island. Because it was so rough you could barely see anything in the water, much less try to stay afloat (even with life vests). The excursion should have been cancelled but I guess with 3rd party vendors, it's not likely to happen.

I would definitely choose someplace calm to start with. My daughter has snorkeled a few times (since she was 7 - she's 9 now) but she's a good swimmer and loves snorkeling. My husband cannot swim and does have a rough time keeping up. He won't go where it's very deep and actually almost drowned on the above mentioned excursion.

If you can start out practicing in a pool that would be very helpful in getting used to the equipment. I would only go snorkeling though if they were good swimmers.

 

[CinderellaDream]

I agree with PP that Castaway Cay snorkeling is a great place for beginners. However, I would also caution that if you want to see the statues it is a LONG swim out and back. My 9 yo, who is a very strong swimmer, was beyond tired when we finally got back to the beach.

 

[Marc D]

I would second what others have said and suggest you do not book an excursion before trying out snorkeling. Instead, use the CC snorkeling zone to test it out. In most snorkeling excursions, you’ll need to enter and exit a boat in open water with fins, plus you run the risk of being in choppy water in the middle of the ocean. Some in your group could panic or get tired rapidly. At CC, you’ll be able the walk in the water, get used to breathing while still being able to touch the bottom if needed and if all goes smoothly, have plenty of marine life and underwater objects to see.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

I agree with PP that Castaway Cay snorkeling is a great place for beginners. However, I would also caution that if you want to see the statues it is a LONG swim out and back. My 9 yo, who is a very strong swimmer, was beyond tired when we finally got back to the beach.

That’s a shame that they made it so hard for kids to get out there. I wonder why they did that. :/

 

[dnllmz]

We booked 3 Island Snorkel and Beach Adventure in Nassau through Disney (we very rarely book through the cruise line).

The excursion was described as:

On this adventure you will…

• Board your vessel and receive a guided tour as you travel through Nassau Harbor.
• The tour is 3 hours and begins with a photo opportunity of the world famous Gilligan's Island.
• Proceed to Green Cay where you'll have an opportunity to swim with turtles.
• Stop at Rose Island and snorkel through the reefs or travel to Athol Island reef and ship wreck .
• Float off Rose Island's coast or relax along on the beach.
• Enjoy complimentary soft drinks throughout the tour and during the activities.

The waters were unbelievably rough. So much so that we didn't go anywhere near Gilligan's Island nor did we swim with the turtles, which was the ONLY reason I booked this excursion. We didn't snorkel off Rose Island either. We only snorkeled off Athol Island. Because it was so rough you could barely see anything in the water, much less try to stay afloat (even with life vests). The excursion should have been cancelled but I guess with 3rd party vendors, it's not likely to happen.

I would definitely choose someplace calm to start with. My daughter has snorkeled a few times (since she was 7 - she's 9 now) but she's a good swimmer and loves snorkeling. My husband cannot swim and does have a rough time keeping up. He won't go where it's very deep and actually almost drowned on the above mentioned excursion.

If you can start out practicing in a pool that would be very helpful in getting used to the equipment. I would only go snorkeling though if they were good swimmers.

We are cruising with family and they are doing that excursion. Our kids have never snorkeled so we opted to not go. I was starting to waiver a little and I'm so glad that I saw your post. Thanks for the info!

 

[volfan1978]

I agree with everyone about the long swim at CC. We have a pool at home, and my 11 year old daughter is like a fish...but I had to be her tugboat for the swim back to the beach.

I'd recommend snorkeling early in the morning at CC before too many people have gone out there and kicked up a bunch of sand. There's plenty of beautiful fish to see, and of course the underwater Mickey/Nautilus/etc. Take a GoPro or a phone with a waterproof enclosure so you can get pics.

 

[nighttowll]

For first time snorkelers, I definitely recommend practicing at home first. Practice breathing through the snorkel in the bathtub or a pool. Then practice swimming with the snorkel on also. I also suggest investing in a good snorkel with a splash guard / dive part on the top. This prevents water from coming in even if the snorkel is submerged. US Divers have some that aren’t too expensive and work well. Biggest mistake I’ve seen friends make is trying to use cheap snorkels without this feature for their first time, especially in the ocean with waves. The water comes down the top and then the swimmer starts choking and panicking. Quickest way to scare a kid or an adult into giving up. I’m not sure what type of snorkel the cruise companies provide. The trips I’ve taken places in the US, most companies use the cheap ones without the guard, so we usually bring our own snorkels. It’s much more enjoyable when I know water can’t get down the air hole. Peace of mind and all.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I agree with what others have said and CC is a perfect way to introduce your family to snorkeling. It's cheaper to bring your own equipment (fins, mask and snorkel) but depending on how much space you have in your bags, you may not want to take all that gear so renting is ideal. I also recommend rash guards because your back and neck can take a beating if you plan on snorkeling for a while. I learned that the hard way in Hawaii.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I also suggest investing in a good snorkel with a splash guard / dive part on the top. This prevents water from coming in even if the snorkel is submerged. The trips I’ve taken places in the US, most companies use the cheap ones without the guard, so we usually bring our own snorkels. It’s much more enjoyable when I know water can’t get down the air hole. Peace of mind and all.

This is the main reason why I wanted my own gear. The snorkels you get are almost always super cheap and a lot of times they even let you keep it as a souvenir. I've found that the fins are also quite sad as well, so I opted to invest in some nice Scubapro gear.

 

[mike314]

Snorkeling in general is super fun and easy. I went snorkeling before I knew how to swim and I was fine.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Although CC has calm waters and you can walk in from the shore, in my experience, there are not many fish to see until you swim out quite a ways. And even farther to see the statues. I agree that good equipment makes all the difference, especially having masks that do not leak or fog, we always bring our own.

If your kids are older and strong swimmers, I believe you will enjoy snorkeling at CC. If not, then you may feel disappointed. Sadly, my experience is there are virtually no fish close to shore. It’s not like you can walk out a few feet, put your head under, and see colorful fish. That has not been my experience.

 

[darnheather]

I agree with everyone about the long swim at CC. We have a pool at home, and my 11 year old daughter is like a fish...but I had to be her tugboat for the swim back to the beach.

I'd recommend snorkeling early in the morning at CC before too many people have gone out there and kicked up a bunch of sand. There's plenty of beautiful fish to see, and of course the underwater Mickey/Nautilus/etc. Take a GoPro or a phone with a waterproof enclosure so you can get pics.

This is exactly why I'm going to wait just a little bit longer. My 12 year old asked to do it on our next trip but I read things like this everywhere. I'm going to get her some equipment and have her practice in our club pool next summer.

 

[mickeymom22]

Thank you all for your replies! I didn't realize there were so many things to consider when snorkeling. My children are 21, 18 and 12. I feel like the youngest might not get too much out of snorkeling. She wears glasses. I wear contacts. I am assuming you have to wear a full mask. She has prescription goggles. If we try it, I think it will be at CC. I am disappointed to hear Mickey is so far out!

Thanks again for all your replies!

 

[bumbershoot]

That’s a shame that they made it so hard for kids to get out there. I wonder why they did that. :/

I think they had to get the depth, and to be out of the way of others.

This is exactly why I'm going to wait just a little bit longer. My 12 year old asked to do it on our next trip but I read things like this everywhere. I'm going to get her some equipment and have her practice in our club pool next summer.

Fwiw, once my son got used to the mask, he was fine, and he was maybe 9. But getting the mask sorted caused out sunscreen time to wear off, and he, who doesn’t burn, burned.

I would get masks and bring them, if we were doing it again. Prescription for me. Maybe snorkels, too.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

CC would be the best of those, but I'll echo what a few have said previously, if you want to go out to where the statues are, that is a LONG swim and probably not one to be done by inexperienced snorkelers. A lifeguard there told me they get quite a few people get out there and panic because they are tired, it's deep, and a long swim back to get feet on bottom.