Snorkeling on Castaway Cay

[emhinds]

I read in a very long (and slightly dated thread), that if you wear a mask at Castaway Cay, you must also have on the safety vest. Does anyone know if that is true? We have snorkel masks for the adults and goggles for ds in hopes of seeing some pretty fish, but no hard core snorkeling. Will they have the vests on shore, or do we have to rent them?

 

[kittyscrap1]

yes they have the safety vests. We usually bring 2 of our own snorkel sets and rent one, depending on if DS or DD wish to go with dad or mom. I believe the vests are a must and we have never rented one if we had our own set...they are hanging up on posts or in a tub (cleaning water) and you just take one. I remember the whistle being blown for a man not having one which is why I think you must wear one. Anyway, it's all up by the beach section right after the water trikes and sailboats. 1st left to the beach. Not hard to miss.

 

[loveysbydesign]

This might seem like a silly question but do you really need flippers to snorkel and can you do ok with just a mask and snorkel tube??

 

[dhdozier]

I am so glad you asked that. I have tried to wear fins on several occasions and get the worst cramps in my feet! I am packing masks and snorkel for my family and if DH wants to wear fins, he can rent a pair

 

[WDWLVR]

If you are snorkeling in the snorkel lagoon you must wear a vest. They have them for free both at the shack where you rent equipment and also by the life guard stand.

For the snorkel lagoon I've found fins help because you have to swim out pretty far to see many of the things.

We've found snorkeling better over at the adult beach and you don't need the vest there and in some tides you can walk out to where all the fish are.

 

[kcashner]

As above, snorkel vests are required in the snorkel lagoon and are free at Gil's and usually available at the lifeguard stations. You don't have to blow them up, but you do have to have one on.

Fins are optional, but you will be swimming long distances in the lagoon. FIns help. You can bring your own equipment totally. You can rent the full package. You can also rent fins only and bring your own mask and snorkel.

If your kids haven't snorkeled before, I'd suggest a trial run in a local swimming pool to allow them to get used to the equipment.

Snorkeling at the adult beach is quite different in what you see. On our last cruise, there were a lot of rocks and stuff in the very shallow water. Even if you're not doing fins there, I'd suggest water shoes.

 

[emhinds]

Is there anyplace closer in where my little guy might see some pretty fish?

 

[kcashner]

You can sometimes see fish in the regular family swimming area...but they're not generally the really pretty ones.

Depending on which cruise you are on, I'd recommend Coral World in ST. Thomas. It's an easy excursion to do on your own. THey have a walk in underwater viewing area, a small aquarium, hiking trails, and a "hands on" area where your little guy could touch a sea urchin, shark, etc. under supervision. In addition, there is a beach right across the parking lot. Discount admission coupons are available on line and in the tourist info books you can get free at port. They do have family admission rates. Cabs are readily available at both the port and the attraction, and you can go back and forth between the beach and Coral World as desired.

 

[Waltworshiper]

There are not a lot of fish close in on the family beach because of all the activity close to the shore, you do have to swim out a little ways to start to see the fish, and the closest ones are not the colorful ones. The further out I swam, the more interesting and colorful the fish became. We had a very windy day, and it was tough to swim out, it would have been impossible without fins. My DS10, who is an excellent swimmer, had a hard time making it out to the subamarine marker, but was determined. We had to take several breaks for him to catch his breath coming back in. I went all the way to the end, and my DS was so dissapointed that he didn't get to see all the cool fish mom did. He and I did spot a stingray on the bottom pretty close to the shore though, coming back in.

 

[Gonecruisin]

You have to swim out quite far to see the fish. The shore has too many kids splashing and having fun but also scaring away the fish. Little ones might get too tired swimming out all that way.

 

[Bracy]

Does anyone know how much they charge to rent just fins?

 

[jrabbit]

if you have a mask and snorkel in the family beach swimming area they also require you to wear one of the Buoyancy Compensators (available for free) there.

Actually on any DCL sponsored snorkeling excursion they require you to wear the Buoyancy Compensator and any time you turn yourself into a "one horn butt fish" (If you've been to Trunk Bay you know what I'm talking about!! )

 

[Anal Annie]

This might seem like a silly question but do you really need flippers to snorkel and can you do ok with just a mask and snorkel tube??

Of course you don't HAVE to wear the fins but I'd recommend them. They really make swimming a lot more effortless for extended periods of time. We generally snorkel for over an hour at a time so they're really helpful to be out there that long and not get tired. It just makes it more enjoyable in the end IMO.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Of course you don't HAVE to wear the fins but I'd recommend them. They really make swimming a lot more effortless for extended periods of time. We generally snorkel for over an hour at a time so they're really helpful to be out there that long and not get tired. It just makes it more enjoyable in the end IMO.

Thanks...I wasn't sure and didn't want to purchase anything we wouldn't need!

 

[e_s_jones]

Hi... to those that are snorkelers, what is the water depth/clarity like at both beaches? I've heard that Serenity Bay is very shallow and rocky even if you go quite a way from shore. Thoughts?