Snorkel gear: bring, buy or rent?

[jpessa]

Heading to Aulani on Saturday. Yay! Just trying to decide if I should get snorkel gear here, or there. And should I buy it or rent it?

Thanks!

 

[nkereina]

I would get it there so you don't have to haul that there, taking up luggage space and weight. We bought some at the Target in Kapolei after arriving. But if you plan on snorkeling at Rainbow Reef, I believe they allow you to use it for the whole day so you can take it to the lagoon too. You can buy a day pass for $20 or a length of stay pass for $39 - I believe these were the prices, or pretty close.

 

[Soccerluvinmama]

I would get it there so you don't have to haul that there, taking up luggage space and weight. We bought some at the Target in Kapolei after arriving. But if you plan on snorkeling at Rainbow Reef, I believe they allow you to use it for the whole day so you can take it to the lagoon too. You can buy a day pass for $20 or a length of stay pass for $39 - I believe these were the prices, or pretty close.

I would agree with that. I always bring my gear, which is top of the line. But after our last trip, I think I'm going to leave it at home when we go again in a few months. The added bulk to my bag is not worth is, especially for as much as I use it. I plan to pick up a snorkel set at either Costco or Target (both places are our first stop before going to the resort) and leaving it behind. To be honest, I don't find the snorkeling to be very good in the coves, but if you're going to venture out somewhere, like Hanauma Bay, then you'll want it.

 

[jpessa]

Thanks both of you! I'll plan to get some at Target then.

 

[CalifLynn]

We've done that where we have bought snorkle gear in Hawaii or a boogie board at Target, Walmart, etc. and then on the last day found kids that were just arriving and given it to them or taken to Goodwill. We've also bought gear really cheap at Goodwill, not on Oahu but on other islands.

 

[apple9117]

Most definitely buy! We bought ours from amazon, and we've used it countless times (Aulani, disney cruises, etc).

 

[ehrawn]

I might be a gear snob, but unless I was 1) going to be using the gear often and 2) ready to pay what I needed to in order to get good gear, I wouldn't buy for a single trip to Hawaii. Just rent at any of the hundreds of vendors. http://snorkelbob.com/

 

[oohykitten]

K-Mart, one exit away from the Target/Costco (by the outlets and a mobile Leonards..) is going out of business. All their pool/ocean gear is highly discounted. GOt two sets for 35. It was pretty good quality IMO for kids.

 

[happymommy]

Costco sells snorkel sets too, and unlike here on the mainland, they're almost always in stock at the Kapolei Costco.

We always brought ours, since we bought them at home at Costco.

Have extra room in your luggage to take them home!

 

[njmeisje]

Rent with snorkel bob. best equipment around