snorkel equipment rent or buy?

[Cleo41]

Looking for snorkeling equipment for 12 year old. Better off renting at Castaway Cay or buying? Where can he purchase at home? Thanks!

 

[CrowleyFam]

Hi,

I am looking for the same thing although my DS is 6. I have been keeping an eye on Ebay (search on Snorkel or Snorkel Set) and Sam's Club Auctions (http://auctions.samsclub.com/ - search on snorkel). Hope this helps.

John

 

[PoohJen]

I don't recall if the fee at CC is $25 for age 12, but if so, I just got DH and Me a set at www.basspro.com for $30 each (comes with dry snorkel, mask, fins). I am really happy with the quality.

Good luck!

 

[dtuleya]

I bought us all a "totally dry" snorkel set that includes mask, snorkel, fins and backpack for about $45 each on ebay. Since none of us has ever snorkeled, I wanted the totally or 100% dry ones that close when you go under the water or a wave washed over top of you. We figured we'd spend about $100 a day for rental equipment (and we're planning on snorkeling at least 2 days) so we broke even in cost and we'll be able to use them again.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Sports Authority has Jr snorkel sets that include snorkel/mask/fins for $29.99 in my area. Same type of set for adult sizes was $39.99. They also sell sets with just mask/snorkel for $24.99. If you plan to snorkel in the future, I'd invest and buy a set.
Not sure what area you live in, but during spring/summer months you can get snorkel sets at pool supply stores also. In the Philly area that means pretty much April thru August.

 

[tvguy]

Any sporting good store should have them. I don't understand why people lug stuff like this with them since you can rent it all. I like to travel light. So unlike some, we didn't bring our own snorkel gear, or soda, or coffee, or beer, or booze, or catsup or salad dressing.

 

[dtuleya]

Originally posted by tvguy
Any sporting good store should have them. I don't understand why people lug stuff like this with them since you can rent it all. I like to travel light. So unlike some, we didn't bring our own snorkel gear, or soda, or coffee, or beer, or booze, or catsup or salad dressing.

To each their own I guess. It's a small inconvenience. I'd rather spend the $200 and have something to show for it than spend $200 for just the use of it. For me, it's well worth the hassle of "lugging" it with me.

 

[Aisling]

I don't understand why people lug stuff like this with them since you can rent it all.

I like to travel light, too. With the snorkels, I'm also thinking of buying our own sets, because I don't think the islands rent out the totally dry snorkels, and we don't want to be breathing in water as first-time snorklers. If we buy our own, we're guaranteed that we'll enjoy not choking on water getting into the tube. If I find out that I can rent totally dry snorkels, I won't buy our own to lug around.

 

[Viking]

Originally posted by Aisling
I like to travel light, too. With the snorkels, I'm also thinking of buying our own sets, because I don't think the islands rent out the totally dry snorkels, and we don't want to be breathing in water as first-time snorklers. If we buy our own, we're guaranteed that we'll enjoy not choking on water getting into the tube. If I find out that I can rent totally dry snorkels, I won't buy our own to lug around.

Those 'totally dry'-snorkels don't work any better than a conventional snorkel and are not worth any extra-money. Believe me, I'm a SCUBA-diver and know what I'm talking about, it's all a matter of training and breathing technique.
But here is good tip for beginners: If you happen to be at WDW before your cruise, go to Typhoon Lagoon. There's a snorkeling pool with lifeguards/instructors, who teach you how to do it and supervise you. Additionally you are in a 'controlled environment'.
I also like to travel light, but I prefer to have my own piece of rubber, when I have to keep it in my mouth for longer periods of time But I would refrain from buying a mask on ebay, because it has to fit your face.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

I just want to echo what Viking said. I bought my daughter and son the "totally dry" snorkels and had them practice in the pool this summer. They work exactly the same as a regular snorkel, but a little water comes in instead of a lot. If the child (or adult for that matter) dips the top of the snorkel into the water quickly while swimming, some water does get in. If a little splash hits them, they stay dry, but if a big wave swamps you, some water still comes in. So I guess what I am saying is that it is the tecnique that is important and your child needs to know not to swallow the water but instead come up and spit it out if water comes in the snorkel. Most kids will probably be staying on top of the water and not going under with the snorkel anyway.

tvguy, it is all a matter of preference. Each person putting a snorkel set at the bottom of the suitcase isn't so bad as far as packing. I would rather have something lasting for $100, since I am sure that we are going to be cruising in the future and will get further use out of these snorkels. I was originally buying just the snorkel itself for $10 and renting the rest but then I tried packing my childrens and saw that the flippers don't take any room at all (since they are flat against the bottom of the suitcase) and the mask took just a tiny bit of room I decided to get them for all of us. My husband usually doesn't like taking this kind of stuff, either but when he saw that they didn't take much room he relented.

Our friends only plan on two out of the four snorkeling once on CC, so they are not bringing them but renting instead.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I don't understand why people lug stuff like this with them since you can rent it all. I like to travel light.

It's no big deal for us to carry one extra soft-sided sports duffle bag (it's actually quite light) on vacation. When we go to the beaches, we can actually fit our towels/sunscreen/water bottles etc in the same bag. Saves a family of 5 like us a ton of money in rentals

 

[AnnMorin]

and just rent the fins and vests, I know they are mouthpieces are clean and that they fit that way.

 

[Aisling]

I just want to echo what Viking said

Thanks for the advice, mickeyfanmom and Viking.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

 

[ksjayhawks]

We brought our sets along. Put each in the bottom of the suitcase and packed the clothes around it. We like having our own as the masks conform to our faces and we take good care of our equipment.

It is well worth the cost.