??'s re: snorkeling at Castaway Cay

[marley]

On our last cruise, my husband and our then 5 year old DD snorkeled out to where the treasure chest, anchor, Mickey etc. is underwater.

They started swimming at the far end of the family beach (away from the ship) and she was wiped out by the time she reached all of the "good underwater stuff" and turned around before finding Mickey.

My question is: this time my son will be 5 and probably not have much swimming endurance either. I would love for them to all see Mickey this time though.

Is there a good spot on the beach to start out from to head straight to the underwater Mickey that would make their swim a little shorter? I was also thinking about floating them on a raft most of the way there so their legs and arms would have a break. Are floats allowed in the snorkeling lagoon area?

thanks!

 

[baileybaby]

I would love to know about bringing the raft along. My oldes 9 wants to snorkle but is scared to death that a fish will touch her. I 'm not sure how we are going to do it. I can just see getting half way out there and her panicking! Anyone have this happen before?

 

[musicgirl]

I saw people go under the ropes from the snorkeling area to the swimming area. I don't see why you couldn't use a raft in the swim area and then go under the ropes to go snorkeling. (without the raft of course-you would need someone to take it back for you)

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Is there some reason why "Daddy" can't be the raft?

While still in the shallow water (where there isn't anything to see anyway), have junior climb on and lay on daddy's back until they get out to where there is something to see.

Try it in a pool before you go.

 

[SCOTTOHIOCPA]

When I was out there in April it took a long time to get out there and back. My son who was 6 at the time did not go because he could not have swum that far, not even with a shortcut.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I agree -- it is a long way out there. When we surfaced and looked back at the beach, we were quite surprised at how far away we had gotten.

My kids are much older, so we didn't have endurance problems like a small child might. Maybe the idea about riding on Dad's back might work. I know rafts/inflatables/toys etc. were not allowed in the snorkeling area.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

My youngest was 7 1/2 in May when we snorkeled all the way out to find Mickey -- we actually swam too far out and had to come back to find him. By the time we started heading back in, he was exhausted and then got scared that he couldn't make it back to the beach. I did exactly what HooKoo is suggesting..I became the raft! LOL! He just got on my back and held on to me while I took us in. My 9 year old had no problem getting back in. I was exhausted though..I think we were out there for 2 hours. It's nice and easy going out because you're going with the water, on the way back in your swimming against the water though.

 

[baileybaby]

Originally posted by NYDisneyMom
It's nice and easy going out because you're going with the water, on the way back in your swimming against the water though.

I never thought about that! That could be quite a swim with someone on your back.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by baileybaby
I never thought about that! That could be quite a swim with someone on your back.

It wasn't bad...he's only 7 and the water keeps him floating, he just hung on for the ride. It wasn't easy..but it wasn't dangerous or impossible. Towards the end I swam over to the rope and he pulled himself in holding onto the rope.

You'd think after all that they'd be tired, right?? Nooooo...about 30 seconds after the snorkel gear came off they wanted to go on the water trikes!! ROFL!! My legs felt like spaghetti by dinner time that night.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I noticed in the Shore Excursion Guide there is a glass bottomed boat tour on Castaway Cay and was thinking about booking it as my 6 year olds have a little trouble working the snorkel equipment not to mention swimming the long distance. Has anybody tried this tour before?

 

[dinnysuw]

aren't you required to wear life vest while snorkeling?

 

[HooKooDooKu]

aren't you required to wear life vest while snorkeling?

Well, it's not really a life vest. It's called a snorkeling vest. You can inflate and deflate the vest while you're in the water. That way you can let all the air out so that you can dive to the bottom to take a closer look at something, but then inflate it to help you float if you've become tired and need a rest.

And yes, DCL REQUIRES the use of these vest when you're in the snorkeling lagoon (even if you brought your own mask and snorkel rather than renting, they will provide one of these vest for free where you enter the water). DCL requires everyone to wear these vest specifically because there is the possibility of someone away from shore that has become too tired to continue swimming.

 

[momsgoofy]

So just how do you dive under the water with your snorkel and not get a mouth full of water?

I've only snorkeled on the surface and have never tempted to dive with my tube, but apparently there must be some neat stuff to see at CC. So, do you just not breathe? Or remove the tube piece from your mouth. I was planning to take my own since I know I get a good seal on my mask.

Can someone give me an idea here?

Thanks!
Laura ºoº

 

[thevolcanogod]

Diving under water:

Step 1: If you have your snorkle vest inflated, deflate it, removing all air.

Step 2: Take a big breath and hold it. Breathing while under the water may be dangerous.

Step 3: From a belly-floating position, bend at the waist until your torso is pointing at the bottom. Your weight should begin to pull you downwards. Once you start to get under, straighten your legs then kick to go deeper.

Step 4: Do not let your air out under the water - yes, your snorkle will fill with water. If you don't want water in your mouth, block it off with your tongue. You will need to save your air to expel the water from your snorkle when you get to the surface.

Step 5: When you begin to feel short on air, head to the surface. When you break the surface, rotate your snorkle into a vertical position and expel the water - this can be accomplished by yelling, "TCHOOOOO" very loudly into your snorkle while it is in your mouth, using the air from your lungs to clear the water accumulated in the snorkle. Practice this on land first. IMPORTANT: Once you get to the surface, DO NOT try to breathe without clearing your snorkle or you will be in for a nasty suprise.

Step 6: Repeat.

 

[zeke11]

So then, I am correct in assuming that someone who is not a strong swimmer can simply keep their snorkeling vest fully inflated and use that to keep them afloat?

Kris

 

[momsgoofy]

thevolcanogod,

Thank you for that very concise lesson. I will practice this before I go in November...maybe even in the pool.

I wasn't sure if the equipment at CC was different than mine...maybe had a valve or something. It's been 12 years since I actually snorkeled and at the time I was 7 months pregnant so I didn't get too adventurous.

I think I can manage diving now!

Thanks again!

Laura ºoº

 

[thevolcanogod]

Yes, you are mainly correct. Nearly everyone is bouyant - you can usually float on still water if you are also still and hold your breath. The added boyancy of the inflated vest will keep you floating pretty well. The only thing I would suggest is to not rely on that vest if, for example, you can't swim. It should be a precautionary device, not something you need to rely on.

 

[thevolcanogod]

Snorkles can be different in design - some are just a long rubber tube with straps and a mouthpiece. Some have valves at the bottom or sides to aid in clearing the water (in these snorkles when you blow out to expel the water, the water goes down and out the valve, not up and out the top). The technique for using all of them should be the same, just some are easier to clear than others.

Tip: If you have problems with water leaking into your mask, check your hair. Most people tend to neglect a few strands and these strands can prevent a tight seal if they are caught between the silicone and your skin and leak in some water over time.

Another tip: if your mask is fogging up constantly and you don't have no-fog solution, spit in your mask and rub it around a bit. Yea, yea, it might be a little gross, just don't try for some phlegm and you'll be OK - just some regular saliva. Maybe wait a bit after eating if you choose this method.

 

[momsgoofy]

thevolcanoman wrote...

Another tip: if your mask is fogging up constantly and you don't have no fog solution, spit into your mask and rub it around a bit. Yea, yea, it might be a little gross, just don't try for some phlegm nd you'll be OK - just some regular saliva. Maybe wait a bit after eating if you choose this method.

This is exactly what I told DS who's 12 and he just went "EW! Mom!" It does work though. I don't have any no fog solution, but I'm sure I can get some online or at a major sports store. My problem is I'm dry-locked in Illinois and not much need for snorkeling and diving equipment here. I'm heading to St. Louis next week so I'll stop in at one of big sports stores to see if they have any.

Thanks again!
Laura ºoº

 

[momsgoofy]

thevolcanoman wrote...

Another tip: if your mask is fogging up constantly and you don't have no fog solution, spit into your mask and rub it around a bit. Yea, yea, it might be a little gross, just don't try for some phlegm nd you'll be OK - just some regular saliva. Maybe wait a bit after eating if you choose this method.

This is exactly what I told DS who's 12 and he just went "EW! Mom!" It does work though. I don't have any no fog solution, but I'm sure I can get some online or at a major sports store. My problem is I'm dry-locked in Illinois and not much need for snorkeling and diving equipment here. I'm heading to St. Louis next week so I'll stop in at one of big sports stores to see if they have any.

Thanks again!
Laura ºoº