Tortola- Excursion advice?

[Nwhite_2015]

Hello all! We will be going to Tortola in February, and when looking at the PE list, many of them include snorkeling in open water. DH is a much better swimmer than I am, although lounging on a boat or beach sounds lovely for me. Any advice on which excursion to pick where he can swim and I can sun? I don't want to feel weird being the only person not swimming a lot. Although we would love to do a charter it isn't in the budget

 

[elvispursley]

Do you like snorkeling? Every excursion we've been on has always had extra "floatation" things to make snorkeling comfortable for those who are as strong a swimmer or as comfortable keeping their face in the water. They have noodles, which we made my youngest DH when he was younger (my mom, who is a good swimmer, but is a little more uncomfortable in open water, like a noodle). Some may have the "boogie boards" with the window in them so you can see the fish without even getting your face in the water. Everyone, regardless of swimming ability, must wear a snorkeling vest (annoying but that's the rule when doing a group excursion). If you just want to ride along on the tour, there are definitely people who do that as well.

You could strike a deal with your DH and you could pick the excursion for Tortola and if he wants to snorkel, when you get to St. Thomas, take the ferry to St. John and go to Trunk's Bay (it's the National Park/Reserve) and there you can chill on the beach and DH can snorkel from the shore. There's even a snorkel trail there. You can either do this excursion via DCL or on your own.

I've snorkeled in a lot of the locations in Tortola and at St. Thomas and it's incredible! You might like to snorkel at Trunk's bay since it's in a protected cove. I'm sure whatever you guys choose, you'll have a good time...you're in the Caribbean and the scenery is beautiful!

 

[Nwhite_2015]

I just learned to snorkel on our last cruise lol I think my biggest fear is sharks and big waves (first one is slightly irrational, I know). Do you have to bring your own snorkel equipment on the PE, or do they provide them to you? I'm sure every PE is different, just not sure if we need to purchase/pack them or not. We were looking at:
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/tortola-virgin-islands-schooner-sail-away-swim/

or

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...-virgin-islands-treasure-island-swim-snorkel/

I will look into Trunk's Bay! Did you do it on your own or part of a PE? Trying to decide if the cost of having everything done for me is worth it, or if we can easily navigate our way there.

 

[elvispursley]

I just learned to snorkel on our last cruise lol I think my biggest fear is sharks and big waves (first one is slightly irrational, I know). Do you have to bring your own snorkel equipment on the PE, or do they provide them to you? I'm sure every PE is different, just not sure if we need to purchase/pack them or not. We were looking at:
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/tortola-virgin-islands-schooner-sail-away-swim/

or

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...-virgin-islands-treasure-island-swim-snorkel/

I will look into Trunk's Bay! Did you do it on your own or part of a PE? Trying to decide if the cost of having everything done for me is worth it, or if we can easily navigate our way there.

I totally get both of your fears! Generally, if the seas are rough, they shouldn't be snorkeling there as it's not comfortable for even experienced snorkelers. All of the excursions provide snorkel equipment (most of what I've seen has been nice equipment, not crap).

One thing you might be more comfortable with is getting a "dry" snorkel--at the end of the snorkel is a valve that closes when water/wave hits it so that you don't suck down a lung-full of water. Makes snorkeling so much more fun and enjoyable. You can either buy a mask and snorkel set or get one with fins (fairly inexpensively at Costco/Sams). Here's a picture of one type of dry snorkel: US-Divers-Total-Dry-Snorkel.jpg

I think whether or not you bring your own snorkel equipment is just a personal decision. My family tends to pack our own, although one year, my son had outgrown his fins and I didn't have a chance to buy him a new set, so he just packed his snorkel and mask and used the excursion providers fins. My parents will occasionally just pack their masks and snorkels and use the fins on the excursion (on a cruise) or pack everything if they're going to their condo on St. Maarten. My mom has even gone so far as buying her own snorkel vest as she likes having her own (and all excursions, except the privately booked, make you wear one).

Both of the excursions you're looking at look fun, although if Rebel Yell is planning on snorkeling at the Caves, it's really really beautiful and had lots of things to see. Plus it looks like there would be less people on the boat (ha! I'm all about less people)!

We didn't actually get to do Trunk's Bay. We ended up booking a private sail boat and going snorkeling. But if we didn't get a good deal on our excursion, we were planning on doing Trunk's Bay on our own. It didn't look too difficult to do on your own.

 

[Nwhite_2015]

You are a wealth of information- thank you!

I am considering purchasing this mask for myself (although I will look quite strange, I have a feeling it might be a good investment) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M2CM02T/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I2TP1FQ3T81PQX&colid=IJ5Z40WUSKRE
I'm still adjusting to the fins, so I think I will forgo those for now.

A co-worker of mine is actually from Tortola, and seconded your suggestion of snorkeling at the Caves. Great minds think alike!

Here's to hoping the water won't be too cold in February

 

[Amandine]

Nwhite_2015: My son has that mask and has really loved it. I recommend that if you get one, though, keep it carefully protected when not in use by wrapping it in your beach towel or carrying it in its bag -- the domed plastic front scratches very easily from contact with sand. His is cloudy now and much less nice to see through than when he first got it. Otherwise, though, we love it!

 

[Nwhite_2015]

Thanks for the heads up! I wonder if there is some sort of coating I can use to help prevent scratches?

 

[Amandine]

I don't know but if you find out please do let me know I was surprised because our regular masks were so much more scratch-resistant.

 

[elvispursley]

Due to recent weight loss, I don't have much body fat and I'm cold ALL THE TIME! I was so cold that in Hawaii I ended up buying a "spring" wet suit that's 2 mm thick with shorts and long sleeves to help keep me warm. When we were in Tortola it was October and the water temp. was 80-something degrees (quite warm) but I used my wetsuit and was able to stay in the water all day through all the snorkel sites we went to. Did not care that I might've looked crazy...I wanted to be comfortable, and I was! So, you could always try wearing a long sleeve rash guard to give you a bit of extra warmth. Our very 1st cruise was in St. Thomas during the month of Feb. and we only snorkeled for about 45-60 minutes at "Turtle Town"; I wore a long-sleeve rash guard and was warm enough for that amount of time.

I've seen those masks and they look really cool (and have come down in $$ since I first saw them)! I've heard they make snorkeling much more enjoyable with that large window and make breathing much easier. You'll have so much fun whatever excursion you guys end up doing!! I'm kinda jealous that we won't be doing any snorkeling on our upcoming cruise (we're doing the WBTA in Sept--will be a first that we've not taken a snorkel excursion)!

 

[Nwhite_2015]

The rash guard is a great idea! Plus, it would help me not sunburn Oh, the life of a red-head.

I apologize, what cruise is WBTA? I'm usually good with acronyms, but that one has me beat!.

And congrats on the weight loss! My mom experienced the same thing, and now almost always has a light jacket with her.

 

[elvispursley]

Sorry--westbound transatlantic (acronym stuff can be annoying)! I'm a fellow red-head, too and love any clothing (rash guard, t-shirt, etc) with built-in SPF!

 

[vikequeen]

Thanks for the tips on the mask. We saw kids with those on our last cruise, and I've been meaning to buy them before our next. The kids that had them were much happier than mine

 

[Tractortom]

[QUOTE="elvispursley, post: 57958528, member: 189014" So, you could always try wearing a long sleeve rash guard to give you a bit of extra warmth. Our very 1st cruise was in St. Thomas during the month of Feb. and we only snorkeled for about 45-60 minutes at "Turtle Town"; I wore a long-sleeve rash guard and was warm enough for that amount of time.
![/QUOTE]

As a long time Scuba Diver, I have to disagree about the 'rash guard' for warmth. The one I have is just a nylon mix one piece that covers me and keeps out the sun, and keeps me from getting sun burned. There is nothing there to keep you warm at all. If you want to keep a bit warmer, wear a lightweight wet suit. We were at Castaway Cay in November two years ago, and I wore a short sleeved wet suit, and a wetsuit beenie hat to stay warm while we were in the water for 90 minutes or so snorkling. I also tend to booties under my fins and gloves (but that is a personal thing). Not much warmth in a rash guard, in my experience. If the water is a little cold, a beenie will do you the most good... like wintertime up north, keeping your head warm really helps to keep the rest of you warm, since so much blood is directed through your brain.

Just my $.02, YMMV.

Tom in Okeechobee, FL

 

[elvispursley]

Totally agree that a lot of warmth is lost through your head. The long-sleeve rash guard I have is very tight and I felt warmer wearing it than I did without it. Of course, nothing kept me as warm as my wetsuit but a lot of people also don't want to invest the money for a wetsuit, especially if they are not big into snorkeling to begin with. I, too, like booties under my fins, but more for keeping the fins from rubbing my heels