First timer to STJ - silly questions to ask before we leave

kirk · Post by **kirk** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:14 am

hockeymom wrote:
Any other suggestions for 2 teen boys would be great.

Thanks.

I'm sure they would love a couple of teenage girls.

lpowmacback · Post by **lpowmacback** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:09 am

Seems to me the best thing to do - especially with teens is snorkeling! It's fun, interesting, exciting & it will tire them out!!

You might look into renting a kayak. We've kayaked elsewhere - although not while on STJ - yet - we're planning on renting one next trip, however! Oh - and water shoes are perfect for kayaking!!!

Early morning hikes are always fun too

gobucs · Post by **gobucs** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:26 am

As for Fins, we dont use them anymore as they tire your legs out faster and Kirk is right, ive watched people tread water with them and kick the you know what out of the coral at the Indians

I sooo badly wanted to say something but didnt

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:34 am

This past trip SO actually had to swim over to two people STANDING on the coral in the middle of Hawksnest and tell them to get off of it...UGHHHHH!

This year we entered Waterlemon from the beach as we were tired of worrying about entering from the point closer to the cay and worrying about urchins. We actually saw MORE on the easy snorkel over to where we normally enter than we did the rest of the snorkel. In the future, we will always enter from the beach.

One of the things we also noted is that there is actually alot of healthy coral right near that point where most people get in and people were beating it all up with their flippers while waiting for the rest of their group to get in...UGHHH again!

gobucs · Post by **gobucs** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:40 am

nothintolose wrote:This past trip SO actually had to swim over to two people STANDING on the coral in the middle of Hawksnest and tell them to get off of it...UGHHHHH!

This year we entered Waterlemon from the beach as we were tired of worrying about entering from the point closer to the cay and worrying about urchins. We actually saw MORE on the easy snorkel over to where we normally enter than we did the rest of the snorkel. In the future, we will always enter from the beach.

One of the things we also noted is that there is actually alot of healthy coral right near that point where most people get in and people were beating it all up with their flippers while waiting for the rest of their group to get in...UGHHH again!

Next time i will be brave and say something

hugo · Post by **hugo** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 2:10 pm

Weighing in on the FINS --- I never wear them, and most of my friends don't either. It's hard to avoid dammaging coral, and they're totally pointless unless you're in a big hurry. I don't like the idea of water shoes because they might also lead to people standing on things that will die as a result. It's pretty easy to avoid sea urchins in almost any place other than those places you shouldn't be trying to walk.

hockeymom · Post by **hockeymom** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:26 pm

Cool - thanks for all the feedback. I'd love to not pack those darn things.

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:35 pm

I pack our masks and rent fins. I can't imagine snorkeling out to Cinnamon cay without fins. Maybe I'm not as good a swimmer as I thought.

You'll have a blast with or without them.

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 11:43 pm

We snorkle with fins. It isn't that we want to get some place faster. We can travel the same distance with less effort when wearing fins. If I can travel the same distance with 50% of the effort, I can stay out there approximately 50% longer. It also provides a measure of safety. If we find ourselves in a current, we can counter it more easily with fins than without them.

Just MHO.

JIM

lpowmacback · Post by **lpowmacback** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:30 am

I guess it's safe to say - to each, their own

That said, when we've snorkeled in the past, we've not really ventured very far - BUT, when we go back in January, perhaps we'll rent fins for swimming over to Waterlemon Cay

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:40 am

Fins no fins it's all good

Good idea on the renting fins if ya don't want to bringem.

hockeymom We did the New Horizons II boat trip,hits the Baths and Jost with a stop at Marina Cay and a good snorkel spot near by. Bet the boys would like that. Good fast boat with a great crew.

Cyopath · Post by **Cyopath** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 6:27 pm

i wear fins while snorkeling, but that may be due to my diving background...

bubblybrenda · Post by **bubblybrenda** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:18 pm

The Baths are amazing. I think it's a much better choice for a family trip and your kids will love the caves. Jost is moreso an adult environment. Your kids may be bored to tears there.

When I went to the Baths I debated whether to haul my snorkel gear. I read the waves were huge there so I decided against it. So glad I didn't bring them. Huge boulders with huge waves. Regardless, it was still an awesome day trip.

lpowmacback · Post by **lpowmacback** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:46 am

Brenda- I have to say - the 2 times we'd gone to The Baths- the water was wonderfully tranquil - right there- and over at Devil's Bay (my favorite!)! We did snorkel a bit - it was not spectacular - but we did see fish - and we were glad we had taken our gear along... When you have kids or teens- snorkel gear is always welcome because it affords the chance to investigate and be active doing something...

soxfan22 · Post by **soxfan22** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:59 pm

I had always been a "fins" guy, but then last July while following a few turtles around Leinster, I got the worst foot cramp I can ever remember. There's something about the way my arch seems to get locked in "that position" that causes cramping...Not fun and near impossible to get rid of when you're in the water. So now, the only time I use them is when we're heading out for a long snorkel.

As for water shoes...The sand on the bottom in the VI's is SO soft...No need. And if you are unfortunate enough to step on an urchin, the shoes will be of no help to you! As for those, they are clearly visible, so they shouldn't be a problem either.

Have fun!

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