Snorkeling on Castaway Cay.

[wnissen]

I figured I would take some pictures of my dry snorkel to help explain how it works. This is the body glove I mentioned above, available for $20 :

The image on the left is an open snorkel. The curved hole just below the words "desert dry" is the air intake. You can see that it is mostly shielded from sea spray and, ahem, non-marine animal splashes. However, it is not as sealed as the large round version.

The picture on the right is what happens when you get underwater When water reaches the bottom of the snorkel tip, a small piece of styrofoam (visible in the right-hand picture as the pale square in the middle of the picture) floats in the water and closes the air intake. Note that it does this before the water gets to the air intake, because the water floats the styrofoam below the intake.

Any dry snorkel is going to have some kind of gadget on the top. I agree with the other posters that the "U.S. Divers" snorkel is not a dry snorkel.

Walt

P.S. The picture on the right was taken upside down, so the valve would activate. Primitive trick photography!

 

[tinkertraci]

We are a family of five who will be cruising the 4 day in January to celebrate my son's 10th birthday.

I just purchased what 1stnoel recommended and provided links to for our family of five. I also purchased the neoprene mask straps for us five. Total spent... only $175.50 (for 3 adult and 2 children dry snorkels and 5 mask straps).

I'm certainly no expert but I'm thinking that this is a great price and much cheaper than renting snorkel equipment.

We have a pool and already have masks for all but I am thinking about getting the fins.

Thank you to all for explaining the dry snorkel debate and for taking the time to post pictures as well! I love this board

 

[baileybaby]

Can You touch the whole time in the snorkeling area? Is there a good place for little kids that's easy to get back to shore?

 

[1stNoel]

Hi tinkertraci -

That sounds like a great price for all of you. Make sure you wash your gear after using it, especially in the pool. Chlorine is really tough on it. I use a cap of Simple Green in the tub or sink - soak it, rinse it and let it drip dry. Have fun!

Noel

 

[wdwoldtimer]

The most important thing to remember is to use sunblock on the BACK of your legs!! I wasn't too careful about the backs (duh) and ended up sleeping on my stomach for the rest of the cruise. Ouch!

baileybaby, the snorkeling area on CC starts right from a separate beach area. Kids can get used to it in two feet of water if they want, although there's nothing to see, except maybe other people's feet. Early in the day some fish can be seen that close to the shore...but as it gets more crowded the shallow area gets pretty murky .

 

[kshabare]

If we're going to warn against sun please don't forget your head. When my hair was long enough for a ponytail I forgot all about my part. Ouch! My scalp was so sore after that and taking showers/washing my hair was not comfortable for a while.

All the times I've gone on DCL we've been blessed. There have never been that many people that we couldn't go down the beach at CC - down from the structure in the water - away from people and snorkel a little deeper but still able to touch. My son and I just snorkeled back and forth looking for fish. It was extremely fun and so relaxing.

Kim