Snorkeling

[PrincessElaine]

We want to take our 3 little kids (9, 7 & 6) snorkeling for the first time. The 2 older kids are pretty good swimmers but the little one is okay. Of the three, where would you recommend snorkeling for first timers: St.Thomas, St. Marteen or Castaway?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would suggest off the beach at CC. That's how our grandchildren were introduced to snorkeling! It took a few times doing it to get used to the breathing, and using a mask, but the last time we went, we all snorkeled from a boat! They were 8,9&10 then!

 

[king kamehameha]

My pick would be Castaway Cay because it is sheltered from waves and larger ocean going creatures. There are also fun things in the lagoon with a Disney theme for the kiddos. They also make everyone wear vests that you can inflate to keep the young ones at the surface. Have fun!

 

[dcassetta]

Whichever location you choose, I would recommend that a first snorkeling experience be off the beach. Start the kids in an area where they can stand if needed. They can get used the feeling of the mask and how the snorkel works before swimming into deeper water. You might even consider starting in a pool at home, before the trip.

Castaway Cay has a dedicated snorkeling area with lifeguards. Be aware that the sunken items like Mickey are quite a ways out, but the kids should be able to see fish even pretty close to shore.

In St. Thomas there is nice off beach snorkeling at Secret Harbor or you can head to St. John's.

In St. Maarten, I like Dawn Beach, but I would only take kids there if it was a calm day as the surf can be a little rough. On the French side, l'Embouchure or Orient would be nice, and they are usually very calm.

 

[ldo]

CC form the shore! Not a tons to see, but it will be a better 1st experience. I took my 11-12 yr olds on their 1st snorkeling on the Fantasy off a boat at St. Thomas--they were terrified and still don't like snorkeling. I also recommend taking goggles or a mask that doesn't cvoer they nose and let them lie on a raft and put their face in to start. That worked well for DD last week.

 

[Weedy]

Another suggestion is to use just the mask. The snorkel and fins just add frustration.

As pp said my kids liked the mask that didn't cover their nose. You would have to purchase this before hand but then then because you had your own equipment you would not have to rent at Castaway and there would not be a charge.

You will need to wear one of Disney's dive vest but there is not a charge to do this. Also don't blow the vest up all the way because it gets in the way and rides up around your neck, just add enough air so it helps you float.

 

[turtle27]

I would start at a beach, not sure it matters which area, except as dcassetta pointed out, sometimes the waves/currents can be strong at different ones. If there is a beach with a cove, that is best.

St Thomas and St Maarten, the actual snorkeling excursions (not the beach ones) take you to sites where there is no beach. You hop of the edge of the boat and climb back up the stairs of the boat. St Thomas has been my fave snorkeling spot so far, but I was not near a beach.

If you can, I would also try to arrange a private tour. For new snorkelers, it is a bit hard to begin with as the breathing process is not natural and then, you have many swimmers who forget that they have an additional 6-12 inches on the ends of their legs due to the fins. Nothing like swimming along and getting kicked with a fin. And this is where calmer/less people/and ability to stand up relatively soon come into play.

Also, practice in a swimming pool before hand if you can. I would recommend purchasing your own snorkel gear if you think this is something you will enjoy long term, having a water cut off valve on the snorkel is awesome, it basically shuts off the end of the snorkel if it gets water in it. You don't breathe in water this way.

 

[Luvzmy3boys]

i would definitely consider investing in a "dry snorkel" which is what turtle27 is referring to as well. Keeps the water out so that kids feel more comfortable breathing via the snorkel. We did the Western route so I can't comment on the specific stops for ur cruise but CC was our kids first time snorkeling at age 7 2 yrs ago. They enjoyed it but only briefly. This time around, we bought Cressi dry snorkel and frameless mask off Internet and practices in pool beforehand. They make kids size (for 4 1/2 yo) as well as adult and come in many colors. We practiced in pool before the trip and did beach snorkeling at all of our excursions. we did not use fins because we were close to shore. Castaway cay had the fewest fish closest to shore because there is no shelter for them nearby. The 9 year olds loved snorkeling but youngest still prefers snorkeling in the pool!

 

[truck1]

We want to take our 3 little kids (9, 7 & 6) snorkeling for the first time. The 2 older kids are pretty good swimmers but the little one is okay. Of the three, where would you recommend snorkeling for first timers: St.Thomas, St. Marteen or Castaway?

As some one who not only dives but also teaches snorkeling 101, go with CC at the beach. What I would do also if possible like posted above, if you can, have your kids try snorkeling in the pool. It takes a few minutes to get used to. Or seconds like the case of my daughter.

What happens is the tours on say St Maarten, you meet at a location and you are taken to a boat. The boat goes somewhere and you get a quick snorkeling lesson. Then you jump in, and snorkel a little bit then get back on the boat. The problem is that with 3 kids, if more then 1 has an issue, you can run out of hands real quick. The advantage is that most boats will put a life ring in the water for smaller or inexperienced snorkelers to hold on to while they look. I did that with my daughter in Grand Cayman with Capt Marvins.

The advantage of the beach is that you are in somewhat controlled circumstances. There are lifeguards, and the water is relatively shallow. But there is plenty to see there. There are Mickey and Minnie Statues, theres a sub from 20k there, along with a ton of other things that have been placed in the water to attract fish. Each item is under a floating ball so all you have to do is swim from ball to ball.