Snorkeling with kids at Castaway Cay

[bailman]

We really want to take the kids snorkeling at castaway cay when we go in October. We have 3 little girls who will be ages 7, 7, and 6. They are fairly good swimmers for their ages, but obviously still young. We have decided to rent the snorkel equipment at Castaway Cay but were discussing how we would work it with 2 adults and 3 kids. Paying $80 for all 5 of us to get equipment for the day is not a big deal especially with how much money we're spending on this trip, but we were thinking maybe it would be easier on us/safer if we just rented one adult and one children's snorkel set and took turns taking them out one at a time.

We've never been there, so I'm not sure how far the girls would have to swim. Also, we don't want to get out there and have one have to go back to shore (my 6 yo tends to give up on things easily) and then have to make decisions about who stays or who goes. Can you all let me know the best way to handle it? Thanks!

Carolyn

 

[Maryland_Mommy]

I have two boys - 11 and 8. They loved snorkeling! I rented one of the floating mats and we swam out together with the mat. They held on and I used the fins to paddle us out pretty far. When they got tired, they held onto the mat - however, you had to have one person holding the mat or it would float away. After they were finished, the little one got on the mat while I used the fin to swim us back to shore. We had a great time! Also, I bought the underwater cameras and we had a great time taking pictures of each other under the water and of the fish.

 

[JennyJ]

We just got back from the dream and we took our 6 yo girls snorkeling. We did it with the stingray feeding. You get to to feed sting rays, then snorkel with them for an hour total. Our girls are strong swimmers and struggled with getting the hang of the snorkel. One girl gave up early, the other had a blast swimming and following the rays and watching them camouflage in the sand. I will say the cross current was strong, not dangerous, but enough to wear a little one out.

Since it is a double dip @ cc, maybe do this day one and if they like the snorkeling, then add the equip for day 2 when you have less exploring to do.

 

[bailman]

I wish it was a double dip at cc! Just one day. Thanks for your responses. Are those mats available for anyone to use? And can you give me an idea how far the swim is to the snorkel area?

 

[truck1]

couple of things that will help you along here.
People (for the most part) are naturally buoyant in salt water and this will help, espeically small children.
2. There are plenty of places to stand up and just rest for a minute in the snorkel lagoon.(mostly in the beginning)
3. The snorkel area is separated by a rope barrier from the swim part of the laggoon. It also begins and ends at the beach.
4. There are 2 different courses. A begginers and a advanced. Total length is about 2000 feet give or take for each. There are different colored balls that mark all of the mand made objects, such as the Mikey and Minnie statues, 20k sub etc.

You are required to wear a snorkel vest. The vests are designed that with a little bit of air, they will force you into a head up, and back position. They will also keep you afloat.

When we went with our kids for the first time, an 8 year old and a 7 year old,we had no problems. My 7 year old, I told we are going to that bouy there. TUrned around and cheked on my wife and son, and looked at my daughter and she was halfway there.

Since you are snorkeling, and idea is to put an adult between each child, and you can all go at the sane time. Chances are though, that at least 1, if not all 3 will have no problems.

The 1 thing I would do though, is to make sure that everyones gear fits properly. If not its going to be a long swim.

1. Take the mask that you like, and place the strap over the front lens. Make sure all of you hair, or your childs hair is out of the way. Place the mask over your eyes and nose, and inhale. and hold the mask against your face. If you feel air moving, or while inhaling, it feels like the mask is going to fall off, try a different mask.

2. Once you have found a mask that fits and you like, try out a snorkel. Most snorkels today, come with purge valves in them. Try and stay away from the 1 piece snorkels. Find one that the pieces can be changed, especially mouthpieces. Now, place the mask back over your eyes and nose, inhale again, and place the snorkel in your mouth. If it leaks, try repositionong the mask. If ti still leaks, chances are good the muoth piece is too big. (mouth pieces are about 5 dollars.) change it out with a smaller mouth piece.
Heres the 2 most important things.

1. Last time I looked, the grouper have stopped issuing tickets for fashion. If it doenst match color wise, no big deal. The Barracuda wont laugh either.

2. Take your mask, and scrub the inside lenses with straigh toothpaste. Not the gel, or 1 that has ides added, or any type of whitening. Rinse out the mask, and do it again. When you think your done, do it 1 more time. All masks have a coating on them from when they are made. You need to get this coating off before anytype of defog will work. just before you go in the water, put your defog in. Some of the more common types of defog are, saliva, 500psi, defog, or even a 50/50 mix of tearless baby shampoo and water. Put it in a smal spray bottle and your good to go.

Fins.

No matter what type of fin you select, try it on. It should be snug, and if open, your heel should sit out of the pocket. Dont stand on them.(any fin) they are not designed to walk in. In a seated position, lift up your fin. rock it back and forth and see if the fin moves. If it does, try a smaller size. If not, you may need a sock, or boot.
When you enter the water, carry the fins to the water, until you are waist deep. Then put your fins on. Unless you like falling, then put them on on land, and make sure someone gets it on video.

1 Other thing. dont put too much air into the snorkel vest(they are free on CC). They are designed to put you into a faceup on your back position, whenthey are inflated. I dont know how many people Ive seen fight the vest the whole time they are in the water. If you are concerned with someones swimming ability, place a little bit of air in it. Dont fill it. Salt water is naturaly bouyant, and will help you float. Dont fight the current. It will win. Work with it. If you need to go against it, aim to 1 side of where you are going. Go to the farthest point, and let the current push you back. Youll be much happier.

 

[NorCal5]

I went snorkeling with my 9 year old son in June. We went out a little ways, but he was uncomfortable so we headed back. We saw a few fish, but you need to get out further to the sunken boats and items (red buoys) to really see more colorful fish.

 

[Maryland_Mommy]

You can rent a mat for about $10. When my youngest was around 5 or 6, he didn't like the snorkel thing at all. He kept breathing in the water. He also didn't want the flippers on his feet - it hurt to swim. The rental flippers can be pretty stiff.

One idea is to bring googles from home for the girls. They can still see all the fish and just come up for air when they want. It makes them feel more in control. Put them on the mat when they get tired. I may rent equipment for you an your husband and bring googles from home for the girls.

 

[bellebud]

do you "have to" wear flippers?

I assume you "have to" wear the vests (?)

we were thinking of getting the kids snorkels here at home to start trying out in the pool so the kids are used to using them. Just the cheapies at Target. (the cruise is a surprise for them, so I can't tell them why we'll be snorkeling in the pool - LOL).

I think we'd rather bring our own snorkels and goggles - can you do that?

 

[Mom2Chachi]

Last year my DH and I went snorkeling with our DD (then 7yrs old) at Castway Cay. We kept hearing about the hidden statues and so we were really interested to see them. DD is an average swimmer so we actually kept the life jackets with air in them so there was no pressure. She was free to stop kicking and take as many breaks as needed. When I say breaks I mean sort of just bobbing around in the water, it was deep and there was no place that far out to just stand up. I highly suggest keeping the air in the jackets for kids.

However be prepared our total time to swim out and get back took 3 hours. For us that wasn't a problem but if you have one that gives up easy it may be a challenge. We were all exhausted when we reached land again but it was a fun experience and we'll do it again.

Also, we did buy our own equipment and took it with us. They let you use their life jackets for free and yes they are required. We also did have DD practice about 2 times at the beach before we went just to get her comfortable.

 

[truck1]

do you "have to" wear flippers?

I assume you "have to" wear the vests (?)

we were thinking of getting the kids snorkels here at home to start trying out in the pool so the kids are used to using them. Just the cheapies at Target. (the cruise is a surprise for them, so I can't tell them why we'll be snorkeling in the pool - LOL).

I think we'd rather bring our own snorkels and goggles - can you do that?

No, you dont have to wear the fins. BUT they will help you move thru the water. It will simply take longer if you dont. Plus, several people like to get down even with a particular statue, etc for pics, and they will help there also.


Do you have to wear the vests? Yes. They are for visibilty and safety reasons. If the lifeguard sees someone without it, they will stop you and make you go get one. They are all over and free.

Yes, you can bring your own mask, fins snorkel etc. Even your own vest. Just becarefull of what you buy at Target.

 

[MisterOJ]

do you "have to" wear flippers? No, but it makes things much easier once you get used to them. (Don't worry, it doesn't take long to get the hang of it.)

I assume you "have to" wear the vests (?) Yes. It's a safety thing. They're a bright yellow, so the lifeguards can easily keep an eye on everyone.

we were thinking of getting the kids snorkels here at home to start trying out in the pool so the kids are used to using them. Just the cheapies at Target. (the cruise is a surprise for them, so I can't tell them why we'll be snorkeling in the pool - LOL).

I think we'd rather bring our own snorkels and goggles - can you do that? Yes, you can.

Answers are in red.