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Snorkeling Dangers
Snorkeling Dangers
We just returned from St. John. Before we left, my wife yelled at me for buying snorkeling gear. Once we got there, she couldn't get enough of it. She admitted we certainly got our money's worth. We are both very physically fit, but not especially good swimmers. We read about certain snorkels that are for "advanced" snorkelers. We don't know what that means. We also don't know our limitations and we don't have the opportunity to test our limits. The last time we snorkeled prior to this time was thirty years ago.Exceeding our limits in the ocean could be disastrous. We snorkeled along the rocks close to shore. Salomon-Honeymoon, Trunk, Maho-Little Maho, Salt Pond (we went to the right, not the left) Little Lameshur (we were completely alone). We wanted to try Waterlemon Cay but had concerns about the "current" that can be present. We'd like to try Tektite, but that seems to be for more experienced snorklelers. It is hard to intepret other people's ratings of things. For example, some folks told us the NPS Reef Bay Trail Hike was difficult and we would need a gallon of water. We would rate it easy and could have gotten by with a litre. We don't find the snorkeling we've done so far as strenuous at all. It feels like something we could do all day if we wanted to. We basically float very peacefully. We propel ourselves with our fins and rarely use our arms. We don't feel we've approached our "limits" but we fear what could happen if we did. We wish we could snorkel with a more experienced snorkeler who ould be able to help us expand our horizons. Is there such a thing as snorkeling tours? Do you think investing in a flotation device would be a good idea?
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toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm
Snorkel tours - Yes you can easily find snorkeling tours. Don't have any to recommend for StJ as there are so many excellent calm water snorkels. I am sure others will have suggestions.
Flotation - They are available in many different forms, inflatable vests, belts and jackets. I have not used one but if I were to choose I would like to try the inflatable vest so that I can still freedive and have the flotation if I felt the need. If you do not freedive and only float, you can spare the expense and simply use a noodle. I know that a large part of enjoying snorkeling is feeling safe.
"Advanced" snorkels - Many times this is determined by weather and water conditions. Wind, surf, current, depth all play a part. Distance from shore or take out point certainly can play a part. The Waterlemon snorkel can be an advanced when (especially) wind and current are factors. On calm days the distance from the beach is mitigated by the few easy resting spots on the cay. You usually have the added safety of not being alone because of the popularity of the snorkel.
Glad that you and your wife found the joy of snorkeling. A word of warning though, you will find that after snorkeling StJ it will be difficult to find so many excellent snorkel experiences that are so easy to access anywhere else.
Flotation - They are available in many different forms, inflatable vests, belts and jackets. I have not used one but if I were to choose I would like to try the inflatable vest so that I can still freedive and have the flotation if I felt the need. If you do not freedive and only float, you can spare the expense and simply use a noodle. I know that a large part of enjoying snorkeling is feeling safe.
"Advanced" snorkels - Many times this is determined by weather and water conditions. Wind, surf, current, depth all play a part. Distance from shore or take out point certainly can play a part. The Waterlemon snorkel can be an advanced when (especially) wind and current are factors. On calm days the distance from the beach is mitigated by the few easy resting spots on the cay. You usually have the added safety of not being alone because of the popularity of the snorkel.
Glad that you and your wife found the joy of snorkeling. A word of warning though, you will find that after snorkeling StJ it will be difficult to find so many excellent snorkel experiences that are so easy to access anywhere else.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
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California Girl
equinox - I highly recommend Capt. Phil and The Wayward Sailor. I think he is EXACTLY what you are looking for. He will take you out to some great snorkeling spots, help you get your gear adjusted right, and get in the water with you and show you what's what.
http://www.waywardsailor.net/snorkeling ... /index.htm
So, I'm curious... did the Reef Bay hike take the full 6 hours?
http://www.waywardsailor.net/snorkeling ... /index.htm
So, I'm curious... did the Reef Bay hike take the full 6 hours?
I am a pretty big believer in the value of a snorkle vest, although my husband wont wear one. I rarely wear one because I just don't go very far.
But my husband and daughter go WAY out. We make her wear hers if she is going out from shore. A great kind of snorkle vest is the inflatable sort. They are simple to pack. They don't look goofy. And if you are pretty comfortable snorkeling, you just wear it uninflated. But you have the luxury of being able to blow air into the tube to inflate if you get in trouble or tired. Just a little bit of air makes a difference. It also has a whistle on it which could be very handy in the event of a problem.
I am a pretty cautious person. It is good to remember that even if you are a great snorkeler, something could still happen. You could get chest pains, a cramp or something. You could inhale a boat load of water. You could brush against fire coral and be in extreme pain and panic. Not all life threatening, but if panic sets in, a vest would be extemely reassuring.
I just think it is a pretty good idea, especially in a current or on those long snorkels to areas where there aren't a lot of other people.
But my husband and daughter go WAY out. We make her wear hers if she is going out from shore. A great kind of snorkle vest is the inflatable sort. They are simple to pack. They don't look goofy. And if you are pretty comfortable snorkeling, you just wear it uninflated. But you have the luxury of being able to blow air into the tube to inflate if you get in trouble or tired. Just a little bit of air makes a difference. It also has a whistle on it which could be very handy in the event of a problem.
I am a pretty cautious person. It is good to remember that even if you are a great snorkeler, something could still happen. You could get chest pains, a cramp or something. You could inhale a boat load of water. You could brush against fire coral and be in extreme pain and panic. Not all life threatening, but if panic sets in, a vest would be extemely reassuring.
I just think it is a pretty good idea, especially in a current or on those long snorkels to areas where there aren't a lot of other people.
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
Ranger Laurel got us through the hike pretty efficiently. We were back in Cruz Bay around 2:15 or 2:30. It was a forty minute boat ride From Genti Bay back to the Visitor's Center. It took awhile to load the boat. Probably about six dinghy shuttles from shore to the boat. The time went by really fast and I thought is was informative and fun. I'm glad we did it. We still had time for the beach after the hike. The swells had closed the north shore beaches so we headed to Little Lameshur where the water was like glass.
Just returned yesterday...for the 1st time, my hubby and I used snorkle belts, rented on STJ for $5 a day. We wanted to try the more adventuresome snorkles. we too are farily active and had snorkled STJ 3 other times without reaching our "limit".
I cant tell you how much more relaxing these snorkles were! I didnt have to worry about where "he" was and vice versa. I could stay out longer and go furter due to the extra help. Also, we had some days of high surf warnings. And we were the only ones at 2 of the before mentioned locations.
Hubby thought I was silly to insist but after I did, he really was sold on the idea.
I cant tell you how much more relaxing these snorkles were! I didnt have to worry about where "he" was and vice versa. I could stay out longer and go furter due to the extra help. Also, we had some days of high surf warnings. And we were the only ones at 2 of the before mentioned locations.
Hubby thought I was silly to insist but after I did, he really was sold on the idea.
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
Mdcoles, where did you rent the belts? We rented snorkel vests for our trip to Whistling Cay/Mary's Point, and I blew mine up too much, I think. It was a liability. I felt like I was laying on a beach ball.
Where I get nervous, snorkelling, is over shallow reefs. I'm petrified that I'm going to wash over and injure the coral. That's what I envision as the challenge of a challenging snorkel. Some of the reef at Whistling Cay was VERY shallow, and I got the heck out.
Where I get nervous, snorkelling, is over shallow reefs. I'm petrified that I'm going to wash over and injure the coral. That's what I envision as the challenge of a challenging snorkel. Some of the reef at Whistling Cay was VERY shallow, and I got the heck out.
Thanks for the info. will get them when there next year. DH doesn't swim and I want to be relaxed & able to take pics w/o having to keep afloat too. And like Minde said, want to be able to move away from the coral easy & quick so no damage is done.
No ticker anymore. Next vac will prob. be the Fl Keys.
equinox, I understand what you mean - it is hard to interpret other people's ratings of things if you don't know the people and their standards.
We started out not knowing what to expect or how far we should swim out, but over the years we've expanded our boundaries and now we have pretty good ideas about snorkeling in many spots around St. John (we still haven't made it to all of them and not sure if we ever will). We've been doing this on our own and we are pretty good swimmers. If you are not particularly confident, I think it's worth trying some sort of floatation device and seeing if it helps you physically and psychologically. You should be aware of dangers but it's no fun snorkeling when you keep worrying about your safety in the water.
As for Waterlemon Cay, we did encounter a strong current for the first time this past May, and if my husband hadn't been there with me, I could've panicked. Trying hard to swim against it, I ended up with my legs cramping (yes, both legs), but I had to keep on kicking (yes, in pain), otherwise, I would've drifted away. We had experienced some currents there before but nothing like that. The usually popular snorkeling spot was pretty deserted that day but the sandy beach was fairly crowded. I wondered if people were aware of the current and stayed at Leinster. On our hike back to the parking lot, we let the folks passing by know about the presence of the strong current. If you are concerned, you can always ask people.
I'd read that when the moon is full or new, tidal currents are strong but, frankly, had never worried about it. I was curious and looked it up and found that the day we were at the cay was, indeed, around the new moon. I don't know if that single sample can be a sure parameter for the currents around the cay, but I'm inclined to avoid snorkeling there during the full or new moon just in case.
We started out not knowing what to expect or how far we should swim out, but over the years we've expanded our boundaries and now we have pretty good ideas about snorkeling in many spots around St. John (we still haven't made it to all of them and not sure if we ever will). We've been doing this on our own and we are pretty good swimmers. If you are not particularly confident, I think it's worth trying some sort of floatation device and seeing if it helps you physically and psychologically. You should be aware of dangers but it's no fun snorkeling when you keep worrying about your safety in the water.
As for Waterlemon Cay, we did encounter a strong current for the first time this past May, and if my husband hadn't been there with me, I could've panicked. Trying hard to swim against it, I ended up with my legs cramping (yes, both legs), but I had to keep on kicking (yes, in pain), otherwise, I would've drifted away. We had experienced some currents there before but nothing like that. The usually popular snorkeling spot was pretty deserted that day but the sandy beach was fairly crowded. I wondered if people were aware of the current and stayed at Leinster. On our hike back to the parking lot, we let the folks passing by know about the presence of the strong current. If you are concerned, you can always ask people.
I'd read that when the moon is full or new, tidal currents are strong but, frankly, had never worried about it. I was curious and looked it up and found that the day we were at the cay was, indeed, around the new moon. I don't know if that single sample can be a sure parameter for the currents around the cay, but I'm inclined to avoid snorkeling there during the full or new moon just in case.