Snorkeling on Castaway Cay for someone who can't swim

[JolllyHoliday]

Hi ! Can anyone tell me if there is a snorkeling area that would be easy for a non swimmer and a 5 year old? The rest of my family are excellent swimmers and they want me to go snorkeling with them. They seem to think that I will be fine with a life jacket on , but I am very hesitant to do it. My five year old grandson can swim but I worry about him too. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi ! Can anyone tell me if there is a snorkeling area that would be easy for a non swimmer and a 5 year old? The rest of my family are excellent swimmers and they want me to go snorkeling with them. They seem to think that I will be fine with a life jacket on , but I am very hesitant to do it. My five year old grandson can swim but I worry about him too. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

I really wouldn't recommend snorkeling for a non-swimmer, except if you can use a float to lay over, and have someone watching you. Has the 5 year old ever snorkeled? The water is not especially calm, it could be pretty frightening for someone who's not learned how to breath only through his mouth.

PLUS, most of the things/fish to see are pretty far out (past where you can just stand up easily). Going out is a lot easier than coming back in, also.

 

[DisneyGirlMI]

I really wouldn't recommend snorkeling for a non-swimmer, except if you can use a float to lay over, and have someone watching you. Has the 5 year old ever snorkeled? The water is not especially calm, it could be pretty frightening for someone who's not learned how to breath only through his mouth.

PLUS, most of the things/fish to see are pretty far out (past where you can just stand up easily). Going out is a lot easier than coming back in, also.

To add on, the snorkel lagoon is large and it's actually quite a swim just to get out to it and then quite a swim to get around it to see Mickey, the sub, etc

 

[wjs3]

I agree. If you want to see fish in the water take the glass bottomed boat tour, I think!

 

[dcassetta]

Please do not try to snorkel if you cannot swim. This includes even if you are wearing a life jacket. If the five-year-old is a good swimmer, and is interested in the snorkeling, that should definitely be tried out in a pool ahead of time before going on the cruise.

 

[JimGA]

Learn to swim or stay on the beach, safety first.

 

[Dug720]

Learn to swim or stay on the beach, safety first.

This. I would not even take a non-swimmer on the glass-bottom boat.

 

[FigmentSpark]

You could try the sting ray feeding and snorkeling on Castaway Cay. While you can go a fair distance, you can also stay in waist deep water and just put your head in. The rays are around, as are a few other fish. It won't be as specatular as a real snorkeling adventure at a reef, but there's a LOT to be said for being able to stand up while looking under water. But I'd keep your grandson by your side. Don't let him talk you into letting him go 'just a little further, over here', where you might not be comfortable.

I would also get a snorkel mask and mouthpiece and practice on dry land, especially for your grandson. He might even want to practice in the bathtub (with someone present, of course).

 

[tlprice]

It's a pretty exhausting trek out to the snorkel area and even more exhausting back. My daughter is an amazing swimmer and I usually end up kind of carrying her on my back on our way back in. I wouldn't let your grandson go out unless he is with some really strong adult swimmers.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Oh, I feel for you and do not want to be negative AT ALL. As an experienced snorkeler, I would say it could be very dangerous for non-swimmers, even with a life vest. The fish are quite a ways out and it was exhausting to get out there. Oh how I wish there were many more fish and lots to see near the shore and in the shallow water (many places in Hawaii like this), but I did not find that to be the case on CC.

Lots and lots of magic to experience on CC without snorkeling!! I just know you will have a wonderful time there!!

 

[Ravenne]

If you Google pics of Castaway Cay, just to give you an idea of how far/big the snorkeling lagoon, it extends from the shore, parallel to the ship and pier, all the way out to the sandbar. It's quite the haul. Of course, you don't HAVE to swim all the way out and back, but all the neat stuff is out by the sandbar. There are 2 lifeguard stations along the way. With that said, I don't think I'd take a non swimmer out that far. The required life vest may be helpful, but with an inexperienced swimmer, if their mask takes water, or if something doesn't go smoothly, things can go downhill quickly in a panic. If the kiddo insists on snorkeling, I would stay much closer to shore, in a shallow area where at least your feet can touch and supervise them closely there. I've seen fishes, and crustaceans along the shore, shallow enough where a 5 yr old's feet can touch.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Enjoy your vacation! But swimming out to see the fish, in the ocean, if you can not swim, is not a good idea. It is too far out there for you and most likely a 5 year old as well. As another poster mentioned, I remember one of my kids having to be towed along by myself and husband when they got tired and we are strong swimmers. It was exhausting. Those vests are not the same as one you would typical wear kayaking or in a boat. For someone who does not swim, they will not provide the safety you would need. Maybe the stingray adventure or a visit to the aquarium at Atlantis would be a fun way to see some marine wildlife. Please be safe!

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Don't do it. I was so surprised with how far out we had to swim before you could see the fun stuff! My kids, ages 9, 12, and 13, were wore out once we got out there and the youngest did not want to swim back. They are all very good swimmers. I think it may be too much for the 5-year-old. But a non-swimmer, please just don't.

 

[cmph]

I hope you don't let your family members convince you to do something that you are uncomfortable trying. I can read your nervousness!

Regarding the 5yo, I agree it is a good idea to have him try out the snorkel in advance, but his parents should be forewarned that that will not ensure he'll be able to competently snorkel in the ocean. We bought snorkels for our kids (who have had years of swimming lessons) to practice on before we went to Aulani, and they used them just fine at home in our pool. Fast forward a month, in an unfamiliar and less controlled environment - my son (then 7) could not at all use the snorkel without taking water in. And that was in Aulani's Rainbow Reef, which is enclosed, not in open water, sort of like swimming in an aquarium - no waves or currents. He was so frustrated, and it would have been disastrous in open water. I think he only managed to use it at home b/c his feet were on the bottom of the pool so he literally only had to focus on the snorkel itself - not on the swimming, managing currents, etc. Perhaps you and your grandson could find another special activity to do together while the others snorkel?

 

[GPaLarry]

Have snorkeled four times at CC. The folks above are right, the best viewing is farther, farther out where the water is over your head. This time I would suggest doing the stingray adventure. It takes place in waist-deep water (adult), then you are on your own to risk following the rays into deeper water. During the feeding you can view the rays underwater. You might have to hold the youngster. Also, let the CMs know you can't swim... they would want to know and will keep an eye on you both. If all else fails, watch "Finding Nemo" again... loads of underwater critters there.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

You can wear a life vest while snorkeling. My DD does. She puts that on, then the bright yellow vest they make you wear. (We don't go far out though, because *I* don't like snorkeling and she can't go without me!)

 

[Donna M]

I am a strong swimmer, and I was surprised at how tired I got when I was heading back in. It is not worth the risk, and it wouldn't be any fun when you get tired and then nervous because shore looks very, very far away.

This is your vacation too. You won't have any fun when you're scared to do it. There are plenty of other things to do.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

A life vest is not a substitute for swimming skill, and can in fact be rather hazardous as a crutch.

 

[TXDCLfan]

Hi ! Can anyone tell me if there is a snorkeling area that would be easy for a non swimmer and a 5 year old? The rest of my family are excellent swimmers and they want me to go snorkeling with them. They seem to think that I will be fine with a life jacket on , but I am very hesitant to do it. My five year old grandson can swim but I worry about him too. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

MY advice is STAY out of the water!!! In May we were in Isle of Roatan and I had to save a guy that did not know how to swim. The guy thought that he could walk out to his friend out on a sand bar and ended up at the bottom of the ocean in about 12 foot of water when I pulled him up and swam him back in about 250-300 feet to shore I was worn out. The first thing he said to me was " I just saw Jesus". Just a note if someone tries to save you from drowning and you do not follow their commands and pose a threat to their life they will let you go. Please for your safety and the safety of others take swim lessons it is never to late to learn.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

A life vest is not a substitute for swimming skill, and can in fact be rather hazardous as a crutch.

Eh...my daughter is 10 and can swim pretty well. But, better safe than sorry I've never heard of anyone drowning with their life vest on, but I have never actually researched that.