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Snorkeling Questions
Snorkeling Questions
I didn't want to hijack the dry snorkel topic, so I decided to start a new topic...
I was looking at snorkeling equipment this afternoon. The masks that we have are several years old so I thought we would get new ones for STJ. I'm not going to spend a lot of money since we only use them once or twice a year, but I'd rather have equipment with us rather than take a chance on the rental places running out.
So... Three questions...
1. Fins - full boot or open back? Open back has the advantage of adjustability, but does the full boot provide better protection in case we step on something sharp?
2. My wife and daughter feel that they want a kickboard to hold onto. We have a couple of soft ones that would probably fit into one of our bags, but would we be able to find a couple of those on the island and just buy them there instead? How about a snorkeling vest?
3. Are there jellyfish? I was just in Florida and one of my co workers had one too many Mojitos and decided to go in the ocean at night and found a jellyfish. He was not a happy man!
Thanks!
I was looking at snorkeling equipment this afternoon. The masks that we have are several years old so I thought we would get new ones for STJ. I'm not going to spend a lot of money since we only use them once or twice a year, but I'd rather have equipment with us rather than take a chance on the rental places running out.
So... Three questions...
1. Fins - full boot or open back? Open back has the advantage of adjustability, but does the full boot provide better protection in case we step on something sharp?
2. My wife and daughter feel that they want a kickboard to hold onto. We have a couple of soft ones that would probably fit into one of our bags, but would we be able to find a couple of those on the island and just buy them there instead? How about a snorkeling vest?
3. Are there jellyfish? I was just in Florida and one of my co workers had one too many Mojitos and decided to go in the ocean at night and found a jellyfish. He was not a happy man!
Thanks!
...ron
Time to start working on convincing the wife that we have to go back soon!
Time to start working on convincing the wife that we have to go back soon!
snorkeling belts
We bought snorkeling belts from Overton for about $16.00 each. They fit in luggage and are great for snorkeling. The website is www.overtons.com
Hope this helps!
Denise
Hope this helps!
Denise
We did see jelly fish at Francis Bay over Christmas. They were very small. One did graze my upper left arm and it stung me and my arm did burn, but not horribly so. I didn't have to come out of the water. They were sort of out in front of the rocks, so I just stayed out of that area.
Have fun!!
Have fun!!
Coden
Re: Snorkeling Questions
The open back fins with the adjustable strap can be worn with "booties" (you'll most often see scuba divers with the combo). Booties are light weight neoprene boots that come to the ankle and zip on the side. They offer protection while snorkeling or diving especially when entering or exiting the water. I find that my fins are much more comfortable with the booties, but I generally don't bother to use them for snorkeling unless at a rocky beach (just lazy, that's all). Hope this helps.Ron_L wrote: 1. Fins - full boot or open back? Open back has the advantage of adjustability, but does the full boot provide better protection in case we step on something sharp?
Ron
I am trying the back open split fins next week for the first time, I will let you know what I prefer.
For jellyfish/sealice/seanettles i use http://www.buysafesea.com/order_safe_sea.php
I buy the one for kids/sensitive skin sunblock30
I still swear by the dry snorkel in this catalog, just rinse it with fresh water after use.
http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/fs161.html
It is the best price I could find for a quality dry snorkel
Some people use anti-fog in their masks, but I use baby shampoo, won't irratate your eyes
I am trying the back open split fins next week for the first time, I will let you know what I prefer.
For jellyfish/sealice/seanettles i use http://www.buysafesea.com/order_safe_sea.php
I buy the one for kids/sensitive skin sunblock30
I still swear by the dry snorkel in this catalog, just rinse it with fresh water after use.
http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/fs161.html
It is the best price I could find for a quality dry snorkel
Some people use anti-fog in their masks, but I use baby shampoo, won't irratate your eyes
Hi Ron,
My husband and I have used the open-back adjustable fins with booties for several years. The reason I originally bought them is because the design of this particular fin is supposed to put all the "load" of kicking on your leg muscles, and not on your foot. I had 2 hairline fractures in my foot when it was time to go on vacation and I was determined to snorkel anyway, so I bought these. I like them, especially when you are on a rocky beach - the booties provide a little protection for your feet. The only downside for me is carrying so much stuff when we hike in to a beach for snorkeling.
I would highly recommend some type of flotation thing while snorkeling for safety reasons. We use snorkeling vests because we tend to swim quite a ways out from shore when snorkeling and want to have the option of flotation if we get tired or get a leg cramp. We don't put any air in them normally because we like to dive down a lot and get a closer look. We can just blow air into them if we want to float and rest. I think you could rent something like that at a dive shop since they have BC vests. You could call or email a dive shop on St John and ask about it.
Last year when we were at Honeymoon beach, a tour boat with snorkelers came in. They used those long "noodles" as their flotation device. I thought it was a good idea because you can lay across it and look down. A board might be a bit more awkward.
Hope you have a great time!
My husband and I have used the open-back adjustable fins with booties for several years. The reason I originally bought them is because the design of this particular fin is supposed to put all the "load" of kicking on your leg muscles, and not on your foot. I had 2 hairline fractures in my foot when it was time to go on vacation and I was determined to snorkel anyway, so I bought these. I like them, especially when you are on a rocky beach - the booties provide a little protection for your feet. The only downside for me is carrying so much stuff when we hike in to a beach for snorkeling.
I would highly recommend some type of flotation thing while snorkeling for safety reasons. We use snorkeling vests because we tend to swim quite a ways out from shore when snorkeling and want to have the option of flotation if we get tired or get a leg cramp. We don't put any air in them normally because we like to dive down a lot and get a closer look. We can just blow air into them if we want to float and rest. I think you could rent something like that at a dive shop since they have BC vests. You could call or email a dive shop on St John and ask about it.
Last year when we were at Honeymoon beach, a tour boat with snorkelers came in. They used those long "noodles" as their flotation device. I thought it was a good idea because you can lay across it and look down. A board might be a bit more awkward.
Hope you have a great time!
-
Jost Kidding
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:58 pm
- Location: Texas
We have used only full boot fins. Most of the places on STJ we snorkeled you can walk right in the water off a sandy beach. If you plan to snorkel on the East end, you may want to consider the open back type so you can wear protective foot gear as entry is rocky there.
Only ran into jellyfish at Waterlemon on the outside of the cay and they were small. You could feel a little irritation from them, but nothing bad or lasting. Never saw any large jellys.
Only ran into jellyfish at Waterlemon on the outside of the cay and they were small. You could feel a little irritation from them, but nothing bad or lasting. Never saw any large jellys.
My opinion - open heel fins are better because they are easier to put on right in the water. No need for a "STJ shuffle" (walking backwards into the water with all your gear already on). These accomodate booties, which you will appreciate on certain rocky beaches (essentially most beaches except those on the North shore) and beaches with hard coral and/or sea urchins right off shore.
Cruz Bay Watersports rents snorkel vests $5 per day / $35 per week. We see a lot of folks using the wacky noodles and they seem to work fine, too. The Chelsea drug store (Marketplace 2nd floor) sells these (as well as a lot of sand toys).
Jellyfish like warm water so you should not see any this time of year. Late summer you will see a lot of them at Cinnamon & on around to Brown Bay. They seem to like that section of the coastline.
peace.... bert
Cruz Bay Watersports rents snorkel vests $5 per day / $35 per week. We see a lot of folks using the wacky noodles and they seem to work fine, too. The Chelsea drug store (Marketplace 2nd floor) sells these (as well as a lot of sand toys).
Jellyfish like warm water so you should not see any this time of year. Late summer you will see a lot of them at Cinnamon & on around to Brown Bay. They seem to like that section of the coastline.
peace.... bert