Snorkeling gear at CC?

[DISNEYFAN3260]

What is included when you rent gear on the island? It's 31.99 to rent (that seems really expensive, especially if you'll only be snorkeling for a short time!), but I can buy a complete set with mask, snorkel and fins for 39.99 at Costco so I'm wondering if it makes sense to bring my own and have it for future uses. I'll need 6 sets so yes, it's a full bag to carry or check, but I've got 4 teenagers to help. Has anyone else brought their own and have thoughts about whether it is a hassle?

 

[IAMASTITCHER]

When you rent, you get a mask, snorkel, fins and lifevest. When I go, I always bring my own gear, it adds a little weight to my suitcase but I would rather put my face in a mask I own. If you plan on snorkeling in the future, purchasing your own is the way to go.

 

[Trera]

if you rent a cabana, the snorkel gear is free to use.

 

[MarleneP]

I bring my own (from Costco) but they do require you to wear the life vest.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

The flotation vests are free for all to use on CC, correct? Even if you don't rent other gear? I thought I read that somewhere....

 

[MarleneP]

The flotation vests are free for all to use on CC, correct? Even if you don't rent other gear? I thought I read that somewhere....

I honestly do not know. My DH brought the vest over to me and said "here, you still have to wear this" Lol.....not sure if he paid anything.

 

[Sir William]

I bring my own snorkel and mask. I have travel fins but only take them along when I know I'll be using them more than once.

The flotation vests are free for all to use on CC, correct? Even if you don't rent other gear? I thought I read that somewhere....

Yes, they are free. You'll find them hanging all over the beach area on CC.

 

[IAMASTITCHER]

The vests are free - and you are required to wear them.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

I bring my own snorkel and mask. I have travel fins but only take them along when I know I'll be using them more than once.

I've only snorkeled a few times and I'm no good at it LOL and my teens aren't experienced either. Still we'd like to try. Will we be better off with the fins? One of my kids doesn't swim so she will definitely want them right? She'll get lots of help from my husband and son, who are scuba certified. I appreciate any advice - sounds like you're knowledgeable!

 

[Quellman]

I'm not sure what you mean by short time snorkeling. I can easily spend 2 hours out there without realizing it, especially if you see sea life milling about. Be sure to sunscreen your backside since you'll be face down in the water!

 

[Peachykeane]

I've only snorkeled a few times and I'm no good at it LOL and my teens aren't experienced either. Still we'd like to try. Will we be better off with the fins? One of my kids doesn't swim so she will definitely want them right? She'll get lots of help from my husband and son, who are scuba certified. I appreciate any advice - sounds like you're knowledgeable!

We all bring our own sets (with fins-which were purchased on amazon, work great). Vests are easy grab for all if you get out there early, (they are at the life guard stand on shore closet to the snorkeling and at the rental place-and probably during the day, laying everywhere). It's best to go early!! Not sure what you mean about a child not being able to swim....it's a big more rigorous to get out to all the fun stuff to see than you think (there are large buoys marking the spots). As adventurous as I am, I would not take a non-swimmer out that far or be very careful with them. It's deceiving on just how far it is to go. Teenagers have more energy but seriously, it is rigorous. There are a couple life guards but even still, it's a haul to get all the way back in once you are way out to all the buoys. Good luck!

 

[kimistry6]

Not sure what you mean about a child not being able to swim....it's a big more rigorous to get out to all the fun stuff to see than you think (there are large buoys marking the spots). As adventurous as I am, I would not take a non-swimmer out that far or be very careful with them. It's deceiving on just how far it is to go. Teenagers have more energy but seriously, it is rigorous. There are a couple life guards but even still, it's a haul to get all the way back in once you are way out to all the buoys. Good luck!

This is so true! I was having trouble with my mask staying sealed and one of my fins staying on my foot. It didn't seem like I had been out there long enough to get as far away from the shore that I was. Trying to swim back holding a fin and mask with the floatation vest on was very hard work. I would switch from swimming on my back to swimming normal. It wore me out. The shore seemed miles away and I was getting stressed out which didn't help the situation. We took cheap sets from Sams Club and while they worked great for my husband, I ended up with a bad set. We will invest a little more money in the next set that we get.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

I'm not sure what you mean by short time snorkeling. I can easily spend 2 hours out there without realizing it, especially if you see sea life milling about. Be sure to sunscreen your backside since you'll be face down in the water!

Teens have short attention spans, so I doubt any of them will spend 2 hours doing anything unless it involves their iPhones!

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

We all bring our own sets (with fins-which were purchased on amazon, work great). Vests are easy grab for all if you get out there early, (they are at the life guard stand on shore closet to the snorkeling and at the rental place-and probably during the day, laying everywhere). It's best to go early!! Not sure what you mean about a child not being able to swim....it's a big more rigorous to get out to all the fun stuff to see than you think (there are large buoys marking the spots). As adventurous as I am, I would not take a non-swimmer out that far or be very careful with them. It's deceiving on just how far it is to go. Teenagers have more energy but seriously, it is rigorous. There are a couple life guards but even still, it's a haul to get all the way back in once you are way out to all the buoys. Good luck!

We've cruised multiple times but not snorkeled at CC so never looked into any of this. Very helpful to know. Thanks.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I wore a rash guard to protect my back from the sun and the water can be cool- it was in April anyway. You do have to swim out quite far to see the good stuff, so be prepared to swim awhile and take your time. There is not much to see close to shore. The gentleman at the snorkel shack told me that as well. Just a quick unedited screen shot of some GoPro footage I took while I was out there. Those silver fish were way out by the far boundary. Awesome to see if you don't mind the swim. I would not take someone who could not swim out there.

 

[JenPinks]

I wore a rash guard to protect my back from the sun and the water can be cool- it was in April anyway. You do have to swim out quite far to see the good stuff, so be prepared to swim awhile and take your time. There is not much to see close to shore. The gentleman at the snorkel shack told me that as well.

This is a great reminder to get my rash guard!!!

 

[tltay2005]

We also bought our own for our trip this June. Got a great deal on Amazon which was a lot cheaper than renting them. Will have to pack an extra suitcase for this gear, but can also pack other non clothing items (shoes, toiletries, etc.) with them.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

We also bought our own for our trip this June. Got a great deal on Amazon which was a lot cheaper than renting them. Will have to pack an extra suitcase for this gear, but can also pack other non clothing items (shoes, toiletries, etc.) with them.

Exactly my thought too. My only concern is whether all 6 of us end up actually using it after I've bought it and transported it from Chicago! LOL