Snorkeling with young kids - tip!

[smilesfromMN]

Good Morning Everyone! We are beginning to pull our summer clothes and snorkel gear out of the basement in preparation for our STJ trip in about a month. One item that I just pulled out was our SEA WINDOW EXPLORER RAFT. If you have young (2-5yrs, give or take) kids, this is a GREAT option for snorkeling!!! It is a small inflatable (so fairly easy to pack) air mattress with a very durable round window and a small "pillow" to rest your forehead as you look in the window. We used it everyday on our trip two years ago with our 2 yr old and 5 yr old. My husband or I could just drag it behind us while one or both kids laid on it looking through the window and seeing most of what we saw. We even had a turtle try to "kiss" them through the window! Very cool, very easy to use. My hubs and I were able to snorkel without worrying about the kids keeping up, aspirating sea water, or drowning. They loved it, we loved it. We had the 2 yr old wear his life jacket while on it for extra safety. It also worked great for them to just play in the small waves as well. We are looking forward to using it again this year - although the now 7 yr old claims he won't need it at all.
You can purchase one through several online retailers. Just google "Sea Window Explorer Raft" and several options will come up. I saw prices between $19.99 and $32.00.
Just a friendly tip for those of you that will be traveling with young ones...

[nothintolose]

smilesfromMN - thanks for the tip! My sister bought something last time they were down there but it was more like the pillow part, and the kids stood up and looked through it. I like the idea of dragging the kids around on it while you are snorkeling!

[piscesgirl0314]

I LOVE this idea...my 7 year old would enjoy having something like this at the beach...thanks!

[RickG]

Ya, 5 1/2 is the magic age for my spawn. They start the week on a raft with a sea-through and a PFD and finish the week snorkeling from Hawksnest to Gibney.

My youngest went from being afraid of being in water over her head to snorkeling The Indians. Halfway around The Indians, she handed me her PFD and said "Here, take this, I don't need it." A snorkel and mask are magical devices, at least for those that float. No skinny sinkers in this family.

Cheers, RickG

[flip-flop]

I think I want that for myself! I just picked up a snorkel set for my almost 7 year old at Target. She was SOOOOO excited.

[Gromit]

YAY -- are we teaching mini flip flop to snorkel in June???

I'm such and excited Auntie!! I still remember when I had to coax her to jump into the pool with me at Ambiance!!

[Exit Zero]

I keep one on the boat and truthfully I have seen people of all ages enjoy it - but for young life vest wearing children it is really a hit.