USVI-On-Line

We've rented snorkel gear from Cruz Bay Watersports in the past and was always pleased (good fit, in good shape) plus it was convenient since we stayed @ Gallows... This trip, we'll be in Coral Bay - is Crabby's snorkel gear as good as Cruz Bay's? (their rates are cheaper... will we be sacrificing anything?)

Absolutely not. Crabby's is great! Good people. Good equipment. I never rent (I have my own) but we often stop in and check for stuff here.

Here's a thought though-- a decent snorkel set can be found at Costco for a very modest $49. http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet ... opnav=&s=1

I guess if you're "carry on" people and need the space that's one thing. But it sounds like you like to snorkel regularly. In which case it might make more sense to go ahead and get your own.

Just a thought....

I'm gonna' give props to Gromit on this one, big time.
Get your own personal snorkel gear. Give this a thought, when checking things out to purchase, as well; look into the fins with the adjustable strap at the heel. This way, you can buy "footies/watershoes" to wear to/from the beach if needed. They're also easier to put on once you're in the water.
Doug at Crabby's is a great guy, too.
Way laid back and very courteous. Ask him about the guy with the malfunctioing boomerang,-that'd be me!
Smiles-
MJ

Thanks folks

We really only snorkel when we go to St. John... which, is maybe every other year. To be honest, over the years, we'd bought a few $50-$60 mask/snorkel sets and the ones we've rented have been better fits.

The mask we got our daughter seemed OK when we bought it, but it was a leaking disaster in the water. Crabby's fitted her nicely with a rental so she was able to enjoy snorkeling.

I had a really bad experience with the gear from the place at Mongoose Junction, and my wife and I tried two sets each. What we found was that the snorkel was attached to the mask by a plastic or hard rubber hoop and whenever we put the mouthpiece in, the angle was not correct and the mask would pull away and leak.

I went ahead and snorkeled anyway on the second day and just kept dumping the mask when the water reached my eyes - bad idea. The water was going up my nose even though I didn't realize it. When I got out of the water a massive amount of water came gushing out of my nose from my sinuses - I couldn't even believe how much water was coming out - it was like Niagara Falls. I woke up the next day with a horrible sinus infection, and it stayed with me for the whole trip.

Yes, I know salt water and saline is used to rinse sinuses during an infection - before you ask. But I'm quite certain that medicinal solutions do not contain aquatic life's fecal matter.

Anywhoose, we ended up getting new gear at the place next to the beach bar at Cruz Bay. The snorkel was attached to the mask by a very flexible cloth covered elastic or neoprene. Problem solved. I'd just look for that kind of attachment to the mask if anything in the rental gear.

Hope my long winded answer helps!

For the amount you are going to pay for 1 or maybe 2 days, you can own your won stuff and don't need to go through the hassle of renting. I'm sure you can find good reasonably oriced gear at lots of places, but Sierra Trading Post (link below) has VERY low prices on snorkel packages. Time to bite the bullet and get your own gear.


http://www.sierratradingpost.com/search ... tions=True

Thanks for the info & feedback Drumbiker & Casco

Cruz Bay Watersports rents out great equipment (I'm hopeful Crabby's will be as good)... I think one time, we had a problem with one of our masks- so we ran back & they just gave us another - problem solved in minutes - something you can't do when you run into a problem with your own equipment

Casco... as stated above, we've purchased decent ($50-$60) sets in the past and had had problems (no problems at home- but once in the water - on vacation - problems ensued)- We rent the gear for the week and snorkel daily- it's really not that expensive - and will take up a lot less room in our suitcases

For what it's worth - I did go out & buy a Henderson's Hyperstretch (SO COMFY!!!) Shorty wetsuit for myself- I am a woos in cold water (I'm used to going when it's a bit warmer)- and I think finding a really comfortable one with a proper fit for myself would be difficult in a rental.

I can't compare Crabby's equipment cuz I've only rented from them but I do know that when we rented from them, they made sure that everything was fit and snug and that we were comfortable before we set off with their equipment.

Really nice people. Will chat and answer all your questions.

I agree with all that the gear and folks at Crabby's are great!

We've rented twice from Crabby's (once for all of us, this past trip just for the kids because DH and I brought our own.) Our gear from them was fine. If you had any issues they would swap out gear for you, no problem.

2 years ago we rented rented kayaks from Crabby's. Doug brought the kayaks to Princess Bay for us, and when we were done we just pulled them out of the water and left them by the parking area. It was a great morning and Doug made it easy and hassle free.

Ahhh - Kayaks! We'll probably rent them!!!!

oh yah- kayaks!

we looked into renting the kayaks and he offered the same deal- either he'd bring the kayaks to the hurricane hole area and drop us off their or he'd pick us up in hurrican hole. it was choppier than we felt safe delaing with that day so we opted out.

he also has water shoes for sale there and great t-shirts.