usvi-on-line
Snorkeling ability
Start with some of the easier snorkels and take time to get used to it. Maho is an excellent choice for a beginning snorkel. Francis also--though be aware that you are swimming against the current coming back to shore.
equinox, if you are not a good swimmer I don't recommend Blue Cobblestone. It's a deep water snorkel and there is wave action and currents. Also, you will be alone. Once you get out to the snorkel spot, noone can see you from the beach (if anyone is on the beach to begin with).
I actually think Great Lameshur is an easier snorkel than Blue Cobblestone. It takes a while to get out to Tektite, but the water is calm and there is a beach to pull out and rest on about halfway there. You can also rock scramble all the way to Donkey Bight rather than swimming the whole way.
equinox, if you are not a good swimmer I don't recommend Blue Cobblestone. It's a deep water snorkel and there is wave action and currents. Also, you will be alone. Once you get out to the snorkel spot, noone can see you from the beach (if anyone is on the beach to begin with).
I actually think Great Lameshur is an easier snorkel than Blue Cobblestone. It takes a while to get out to Tektite, but the water is calm and there is a beach to pull out and rest on about halfway there. You can also rock scramble all the way to Donkey Bight rather than swimming the whole way.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Hi everyone. My 2 cents. When we went in 09, it was my first time ever snorkeling so I was also aprehensive. I consider myself a strong swimmer. We decided our first time out to wear life jackets that our villa provided. I have a tendancy to go out a little to far so definately communication is key with the people you are out with so no one gets left behind. Try a life vest and see how you feel. If nothing else, if you get tired you can roll over and rest. We were snorkeling and all of a sudden these pelicans started dive bombing less than 5 feet from us-sooooo cool. If we didnt have our vests on, it might have scared us, thus the panic scene. Cant free dive with it on but I didnt get comfortable enough to do that anyway, maybe this trip. Or not....They also rent those snorkeling belt thingys at all the snorkel rental places. You might try one of those too, less restrictive than a full vest. FINS are a must for us. Hope this helps.
Bre
Bre
-
toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm
If you think that a flotation device would be helpful you can purchase or rent an inflatable vest that allows you to blow it up to the level you need.
During a trip where we brought a newbie couple with us we improvised a floatation device with a rope and a swim noodle from the villa. I fished the rope through the noodle and secured it with a knot that would not pass through the noodle. On the other end we left a length of rope and fashioned a loop to hold onto. This allowed the noodle to be used to float on but you could still let loose of the noodle to dive down to see the coral and sealife. She used the noodle for her first snorkel the next day and was able to build enough confidence to snorkel without it the rest of the week.
During a trip where we brought a newbie couple with us we improvised a floatation device with a rope and a swim noodle from the villa. I fished the rope through the noodle and secured it with a knot that would not pass through the noodle. On the other end we left a length of rope and fashioned a loop to hold onto. This allowed the noodle to be used to float on but you could still let loose of the noodle to dive down to see the coral and sealife. She used the noodle for her first snorkel the next day and was able to build enough confidence to snorkel without it the rest of the week.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
As usual, always great advice.
The only things I'd add would be that it's almost hard NOT to float. But, if you feel uncomfortable, grab a noodle or flotation belt. Simple-dimple.
Also PAY ATTENTION! Not only to your own whereabouts, but your buddy/partners', as well. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in what's under you, and just as easy to get separated. Don't swim too close together though; you don't want to be kicking someones mask & tube off of them when they're coming up behind you.
Two examples-
A few years back, Amy & I were swimming at Caneel. I assumed that she was near me, as I hugged the eastern side of the point. When I stopped to see where she was, I found her @ 200 ft, away from me, entering the boating lanes. I was horrified. I somehow got her attention, swam out to her, and helped her back in, as she was a little panicky seeing where her innocent swim had taken her.
This past trip we visited Little Lameshur. We were out towards the westerly side, just swimming around, when its shallows sort of crept up on us. She stopped to clean/refit her mask, and I still had my head underwater. I suddenly realized she was no less than a foot away from several urchins, and she had no idea.
Not only will THEY give you something to remember, but there's also the risk of doing damage to the coral beds.
I know I'm not the perfect swimmer, but paying attention to your surroundings is paramount, if you ask me.
Piece of cake...
Piece of sunny, warm, crystal clear, delicious cake!
Smiles-
MJ
The only things I'd add would be that it's almost hard NOT to float. But, if you feel uncomfortable, grab a noodle or flotation belt. Simple-dimple.
Also PAY ATTENTION! Not only to your own whereabouts, but your buddy/partners', as well. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in what's under you, and just as easy to get separated. Don't swim too close together though; you don't want to be kicking someones mask & tube off of them when they're coming up behind you.
Two examples-
A few years back, Amy & I were swimming at Caneel. I assumed that she was near me, as I hugged the eastern side of the point. When I stopped to see where she was, I found her @ 200 ft, away from me, entering the boating lanes. I was horrified. I somehow got her attention, swam out to her, and helped her back in, as she was a little panicky seeing where her innocent swim had taken her.
This past trip we visited Little Lameshur. We were out towards the westerly side, just swimming around, when its shallows sort of crept up on us. She stopped to clean/refit her mask, and I still had my head underwater. I suddenly realized she was no less than a foot away from several urchins, and she had no idea.
Not only will THEY give you something to remember, but there's also the risk of doing damage to the coral beds.
I know I'm not the perfect swimmer, but paying attention to your surroundings is paramount, if you ask me.
Piece of cake...
Piece of sunny, warm, crystal clear, delicious cake!
Smiles-
MJ
As liamsaunt suggested, start with an easier snorkeling like Maho and ease into it. If you are a strong swimmer and feel comfortable in the water, you will be fine. I understand that the unknown unnerves you. Experience is really the key: the more you snorkel, the more you get the idea of the environment/currents/topography - which makes you feel more confident. Just be aware of the basics like no standing on coral, avoid making contact with fire coral, sea urchins, etc.
I would avoid snorkeling around Waterlemon Cay during the new/full moons. One time, a new moon (I later found out), despite the calm appearance of the water, there was a strong current beneath the surface flowing out to sea between the cay and the shore. Getting to the cay was easy (we were riding on the current without realizing it) but returning to the shore was tough. Swimming through choppy waters is one thing; swimming against a strong current pushing you back out to sea is another. My legs were feeling the swim the next day, which usually never happens to me snorkeling around St. John.
I would avoid snorkeling around Waterlemon Cay during the new/full moons. One time, a new moon (I later found out), despite the calm appearance of the water, there was a strong current beneath the surface flowing out to sea between the cay and the shore. Getting to the cay was easy (we were riding on the current without realizing it) but returning to the shore was tough. Swimming through choppy waters is one thing; swimming against a strong current pushing you back out to sea is another. My legs were feeling the swim the next day, which usually never happens to me snorkeling around St. John.
Take your time when snorkeling, don't wear yourself out..there's no rush.
I have had a couple run ins with my husband. Once he panicked and grabbed on to me. This is before we bought vests.
The other time is when I panicked alone, after husband had gone onto the beach and the vest starting inching itself up around my neck. That was really scarey, so definetly swim with someone else and use the buddy system.
Most of all...enjoy!!!
I have had a couple run ins with my husband. Once he panicked and grabbed on to me. This is before we bought vests.
The other time is when I panicked alone, after husband had gone onto the beach and the vest starting inching itself up around my neck. That was really scarey, so definetly swim with someone else and use the buddy system.
Most of all...enjoy!!!
"Paradise...it's a state of mine"
-
Kentuckygirl
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Kentucky
This happened to me too once at Waterlemon, and I'm usually fine there.Pickle wrote:I would avoid snorkeling around Waterlemon Cay during the new/full moons. One time, a new moon (I later found out), despite the calm appearance of the water, there was a strong current beneath the surface flowing out to sea between the cay and the shore. Getting to the cay was easy (we were riding on the current without realizing it) but returning to the shore was tough. Swimming through choppy waters is one thing; swimming against a strong current pushing you back out to sea is another. My legs were feeling the swim the next day, which usually never happens to me snorkeling around St. John.
Overall, I'd say as long as your careful, you should be fine. I just float if I get tired, and sometimes that's when I see the most!
[/url]
Heather - I considered myself to be a strong swimmer when I was young, but I didn't go to St. John until I was 54 years old. I'd only been snorkeling once before for real (piddled around in pools etc. as a child) in the Bahamas, which wasn't all that successful or impressive. Once I got to St John I gave it another try and OMG, was I hooked! As stated above, I was in my mid 50's, somewhat overweight and not in the best physical condition but I was SO fascinated that I've found myself outlasting younger, better conditioned friends. You simply need to have a certain level of confidence in your abilities. Try it out in some of the easier snorkel spots and then work your way up to the more difficult. Take your time to enjoy the scenery AND to conserve energy and always remember that you can turn over on your back if you get panicky or if you feel tired and need to rest a little. I've found that "motoring" along on my back with slow, full kicks with my split fins is the fastest way to come back after I've snorkeled farther than I had planned. If I can do it, so can you!!!