Snorkel Vests at Castaway Cay?

[jenhelgren]

If we bring our own snorkel gear-does Disney still provide the snorkel vests while we are at Castaway Cay? Is there a charge and where do we get them from? Do they provide enough buoyancy for a child to snorkel or would my 6-year-old need a flotation vest under the snorkel vest? Are life jackets also provided for kids at Castaway Cay if we do need one or would we need to bring our own? Thanks!

 

[su_A_ve]

vests are free of charge.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If we bring our own snorkel gear-does Disney still provide the snorkel vests while we are at Castaway Cay? Is there a charge and where do we get them from? Do they provide enough buoyancy for a child to snorkel or would my 6-year-old need a flotation vest under the snorkel vest? Are life jackets also provided for kids at Castaway Cay if we do need one or would we need to bring our own? Thanks!

The vests (snorkel as well as life jacket type) are free on CC. The snorkel vest is an inflatable one (you don't have to inflate it, if you don't want to). Snorkel vests are available at the snorkel rental location. Life vests are at Pelican Plunge.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Forgive my naiveness but what is the inference between a snorkel vest and a life vest?

Thanks

 

[su_A_ve]

Forgive my naive ness but what is the inference between a snorkel vest and a life vest?

Thanks

Life vests are available for the younger ones that don't know how to swim. Snorkel vests are required by anyone that goes to the snorkel lagoon. These are inflatable and you are not require to inflate them.

 

[thedonduck]

Forgive my naive ness but what is the inference between a snorkel vest and a life vest?

Thanks

Snorkel vest are simply a piece of material that is bright yellow. You can inflate it slightly to help "float" a bit better without having to tread as much. It is really used for the lifeguards to keep track of the snorkelers vs someone who is facedown in the water. They are a bright yellow in color The life vests that are available are a thick floatation material (like a float mat for a pool) that will definitely keep the wearer afloat.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Forgive my naive ness but what is the inference between a snorkel vest and a life vest?

Thanks

Not a great picture, but here's a snorkel vest. Basically a bib-type, inflatable vest:

The life vest is a typical solid life vest with foam flotation in it.

 

[neg58]

I don't think I'd rely on the snorkel vest for someone who can't swim. The neck hole is large and designed to allow you to keep your face in the water, which might be dangerous for a child who otherwise can't keep his head up. I don't know if you can just use the regular life jackets, but those might be hard to use to keep your head in the water since they are designed to keep your head OUT of the water.

It is a long way out to the buoys in the snorkel area. It's not really designed for non-swimmers.

Nancy

 

[koshaugh]

My DD7, DD9 and myself tried using the provided vests to snorkel...the vests were so buoyant that it made it difficult to float on our stomachs to snorkel and see under water. We gave up very quickly bc it was so frustrating.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My DD7, DD9 and myself tried using the provided vests to snorkel...the vests were so buoyant that it made it difficult to float on our stomachs to snorkel and see under water. We gave up very quickly bc it was so frustrating.

As noted, you don't have to inflate the vest. They just want everyone to wear them so they are more visible in the water.

 

[summerrluvv]

Has anyone actually snorkeled with the life vest on and been successful?

 

[Tres Vegas]

Just want to add my .02 here, the snorkel and breathing tube reeked of bleach from the plastic storage container on the Island boat. I know they have to sterilize them but wow. The fins irritated my feet my kids their faces.

 

[summerrluvv]

Just want to add my .02 here, the snorkel and breathing tube reeked of bleach from the plastic storage container on the Island boat. I know they have to sterilize them but wow. The fins irritated my feet my kids their faces.

Oh yuck. I actually cancelled our snorkeling excursion the other day because I was worried if we became ill, etc., and would lose the money. I figured we would just purchase the day of if all was well. But it doesn't sound like it will be enjoyable with my 2 children who aren't good swimmers to begin with, and wouldn't enjoy bleach on their faces either!

 

[Tres Vegas]

Oh yuck. I actually cancelled our snorkeling excursion the other day because I was worried if we became ill, etc., and would lose the money. I figured we would just purchase the day of if all was well. But it doesn't sound like it will be enjoyable with my 2 children who aren't good swimmers to begin with, and wouldn't enjoy bleach on their faces either!

I'm sure it's not a normal situation, if we went back we would do it again but maybe bring our own gear. too far to travel and not take advantage of the activities. some guest snorkeled for a short period and returned to the boat and enjoyed the view while the rest of us were out in the water the whole time. something to consider.

 

[woody73]

. . . if we went back we would do it again but maybe bring our own gear.

We bring our own gear.

Woody