Snorkeling on Castaway Cay.

[kshabare]

It seems necessary for me to say I never brought the cheese in a can, nor will I. It grosses me out.

I would very much like to purchase the snorkel tube that can go underwater. I'd be paranoid that water would get in. When we went on Captain Marvins I still snicker because I was so excited I tilted my head to look at my son and water got in my tube. What a dope! I just cannot wait to go on my next trip!!!!

Did anyone go see "Open Water" in the big-screen? I am amazed that people can swim with sharks. I thought I was big swimming with my snorkeling equipment on! <lol> I give you all credit for being that brave.

Kim ºOº

 

[Aisling]

Is the water-free snorkel tube called a "dry snorkel"? And are these the kind they rent out on the islands?

I also had a bad experience with the regular snorkel, at Typhoon Lagoon swimming in the shark thing. I drank/breathed so much water, I started to panic in that thing. The CM kept telling me not to kick my feet and annoy the sharks, but I was choking and I just wanted to get over to the other side ASAP.

Anyway, should I buy my own dry-snorkel, or can I get them at the rentals?

Thanks!

 

[dtuleya]

Can anybody tell me what to look for when buying snorkels? What are the ones called that water doesn't go in? Is there anyplace to buy them online?

 

[markey]

My husband has the dry snorkel and can dive to the botom and no water goes in, it has a valve that will not let the water pass. It was expensive, around $100, but by now it is already paid for if he had rented. Any good water sports store and also on line where he got his will sell them. Last Friday he went all the way out and saw the famous barricuda (spelling). Said it ws about 4 feet long but did not bother with him or come close.

 

[Tluvs2talk]

WE purchased our snorkel and mask at Sam's Club for around $30.00. There is a valve that closes when you go under water that prevents any water from getting into your snorkel.


Teri

 

[1stNoel]

Dry snorkels are the ones that don't let in water. We have several (dozen) and these are what we like best -

XsScuba Dry Goby Snorkel for kids - www.cheapscubagear.com/3949-XS-Scub...ry-Snorkel.html

It's totally dry and has a smaller bite piece that most kids can use, even with some missing teeth.

Ocean Master Dry Snorkel (for the big kids)
www.cheapscubagear.com/3428-Ocean-M...rkels-FLEX.html

This is the top of line the dry model. All of the Ocean Master Dry Snorkels are good, but this one is really comfortable.

Masks really depend on your face shape. You need to try it on. For kids, we really like the Deep See masks. They are durable, fit all the kids (from a 4 year old up to even me) and we haven't had any leaks. www.snorkelcity.com/deepseeminki.html

I recommend getting a neoprene mask strap cover, really makes it easier to get on and off. They cost $5 to $7.

Unless your kids are coordinated swimmers or they can practice in a pool, skip the fins or get the short swimming ones. This is a skill that usually needs some practice and kids tend to wear themselves out trying to master it and concentrate on the snorkel too.

I also recommend wearing a rash guard or lycra skin. This is really helpful in keeping the sun off you and protecting you from abrasions, etc.

Finally, NO WHIZ (cheez or other) IN THE WATER PLEASE! Human food is really, REALLY not good for the fish. It pollutes the water and results in too much fish poop.

Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

 

[wnissen]

Originally posted by kshabare
I would very much like to purchase the snorkel tube that can go underwater. I'd be paranoid that water would get in. When we went on Captain Marvins I still snicker because I was so excited I tilted my head to look at my son and water got in my tube. What a dope! I just cannot wait to go on my next trip!!!!

Originally posted by kshabare Is the water-free snorkel tube called a "dry snorkel"? And are these the kind they rent out on the islands?

We bought the Body Glove mask and dry snorkel from Costco, but they don't carry it anymore. It is available for a good price (far better than our local dive shop) from Bart's Watersports and is very high quality. You still get a little water in occasionally, but the valve works so that it closes before the air intake goes under the water. Very clever, and absolutely worth $20, even if you don't buy the mask. I like the Body Glove mask, too, because it has a very wide field of view. The cheap single pane masks only let you see straight ahead.

As far as I saw the stuff for rental at Castaway Cay is very inexpensive, and they don't have the dry snorkels. Our masks and snorkels easily paid for themselves in rental fees in a single cruise. Plus, if you have children or are not comfortable in the water, I cannot stress enough the need to practice beforehand. Breathing underwater is hard work! We just went in the pool on the ship and practiced, and it worked well.

Walt

 

[Mike320]

Barb - Great Info! I was just all over E-Bay, etc..looking for snorkel vests. We have everything else. I would have gladly rented them but now free is even better!

Mike

 

[dtuleya]

Would it be worthwhile just to get the dry snorkels and rent masks and fins? We've never been snorkeling before and I'd really like to use these.

 

[Aisling]

Would it be worthwhile just to get the dry snorkels and renting masks and fins?

dtuleya,
this is a great question, because I think it's what I'm going to end up doing. We just don't have enough experience to do without the dry-snorkel.

 

[Mike320]

What is a DRY SNORKEL?

 

[1stNoel]

A dry snorkel has a vented cap on top of it that allows you to go underwater without water entering the tube. So as you come to the surface you don't need to blow out to clear the snorkel of water, you can just take a breath in. This is a great thing for people that don't have a lot of experience or don't have the capacity to blow hard enough to clear the water out, like asthmatics.

 

[disneycrazzzy]

I began snorkeling last year with my DH39, DS9, DS6. We bought snorkeling gear at Costco (no dry snorkels) and tried them out in the pool. We all had difficulty with getting water in our snorkel. So after a little research on the internet, I determined that a dry snorkel was what we needed. Basically, a dry snorkel prevents you from breathing (water or air) when a wave goes over your head or you dive under the water or you look up into the sky and your snorkel goes underwater. Once you snorkel is exposed to air again, it allows you to breath.

Once we tried the dry snorkels in the pool, both boys were fish. Both learned to dive under water and check out the bottom of the pool. When we went to Hawaii, we had great success in seeing the undersea life there. Being able to dive down and check things out was the best part and I wouldn't want to try it without a dry snorkel.

We plan on bringing our dry snorkels with us when we cruise next year. If we have luggage room, we will bring our masks and fins too. I second the recommendation to wear a lycra shirt to prevent sunburn.

We found dry snorkels for $20 or so on the internet. Just do a froogle search on dry snorkel. Be sure it isn't a semi-dry snorkel.
For children, be sure to get a child's snorkel because the mouth piece is smaller and fits them better.

One other point. Salt water allows you to be much more bouyant than fresh water or pool water. If you can practice in a pool and get proficient at snorkeling there, ocean snorkeling will be a breeze.

Also, I think fins are a must since you can get where you are going so much faster. Neither of our sons had problems with using the fins. They also help when you are diving down to get farther before your lungs run out of oxygen.

Can't wait to use our snorkels in Hawaii this Christmas and on our future Disney cruises.

 

[Mike320]

Very Cool,
I think our boys already have this type from BodyGlove....we'll just need them for ourselves!

Thanks again! Mike

 

[TaraBelle1069]

Originally posted by cruisenewbie2004
Maybe it's just me, but I think I'd shudder if a lot of people started feeding the fish with cheese whiz or otherwise. The snorkling area isn't that huge and all that gunk is going to wash around you while you're swimming. It sounds yucky.

You are absolutely right. It's bad for the people, the fish and the greater health of the oceans. As someone with a degree in marine biology, I would advise people to do as little as possible that leaves an impact on the oceans. Go in and enjoy but don't change things. It can be a very fragile ecosystem and it suffers enough from other things without otherwise well-meaning Disney cruisers adding to it.

 

[dtuleya]

Ok, I have a question...did the froogle search and came up with these two different looking "dry snorkels".

I thought the one on the left was a totally dry snorkel, but they are also calling the one on the right a dry snorkel. I thought all the dry snorkels had that little type of cage thingy on top. Can someone clarify this for me please.

 

[Mike320]

we have the ones on the left..the little thing inside covers the hole when you go under water...

I could be wrong but that's the dry snorkel type.

Mike

 

[disneycrazzzy]

You are correct. The one on the left is a "dry" snorkel. The one on the right is not. Most of the truly dry snorkels use the term "totally" dry. Avoid snorkels that note they have a dry top. We have the kid's snorkel from Snorkel City for our sons and the Genesis Mojave snorkels for my husband and I and have been very happy with both. I have heard good things about the Ocean Master.

 

[1stNoel]

The snorkel on the left is an Ocean Master and the best you can buy. It is the cage thingy design, but it's black. It's ergonomic, durable and water doesn't sneak in. It's the only one we use for snorkeling in the ocean.

The style on the left is what most of the other dry snorkels look like. Many of them are actually just semi-dry, even when they claim to be totally dry. Semi-dry means it's protected from waves splashing in, but doesn't handle frequent submersion well - or at all. We've tried many with this design, but don't use them anymore. One mouth full of sea water and it's forever demoted to being a pool toy.

There is nothing wrong with buying non-professional gear, if it fits and works. IMO the gear they rent on CC is equal to the quality of a nice packaged set you buy at WalMart. If you buy a packaged set, I would ask if you can return it if it doesn't fit.

You want to find a mask that has a fairly soft silicone skirt (the part that seals on your face). To see if it's a good fit, fold the strap over the front of the mask so it's out of the way; hold the mask against your face; make sure it fits comfortably around your eyes and nose; while the mask is against your face, gently inhale through your nose; the vacuum created in the mask should hold it against your face as you take your hand away.

When you find your mask, attach the snorkel and put the mask on. The snorkel should feel comfortable in your mouth. It should not pull or push your head to the side, up or down. Some can be adjusted, but some just aren't designed well. With the exception of the XS Goby kids dry snorkel, I've never found a cheap dry snorkel that works well.

For fins, we use the ones with the strap and wear them with booties or swim shoes, instead of the kind you put your bare foot into. This way you can walk in & out of the water in shoes and put your fins on (over the shoes) in the water. This is a lot safer and people can share using them by just by adjusting the strap.

Noel

 

[dtuleya]

Thanks for all the information. I've been browsing at several online dive suppliers (for some reason South Central PA doesn't have any dive stores - go figure ) and for the four of us I've been coming up right around $280 for snorkels, fins and masks for all of us. Since I figure we'd spend at lease $200 renting snorkel equipment on our cruise, we decided we're going to bite the bullet and just buy it.

Since I've never bought from any of these online stores, are there anyones that are better than the others (price, return policies) and any I should stay away from?

This is the package I'm looking at. It's not the open fins, but seems like the best price for what is included. Would anyone give me their opinion on it? It's on sale for $69.95

http://www.divers-supply.com/viewIt...de=1&Desc=CAYMAN FF SNORKEL PACKAGE&Search=N.