USVI-On-Line

Hi all - Just a few questions for our 2nd trip to STJ in July. Villa booked and am searching for airfare and hope to purchase in the next 3 months. Waiting for the non-stop flights out of Philly or Newark. Anyway, last trip did not bring snorkel bags and really will need them this trip. For a family of four how many bags do we need? Can you fit two sets in one bag? Where do we buy them from? Also need two vests, one for my husband and one for my daughter. We were all fine except on our boat trip and my husband got freaked out when in the middle of the ocean. Any suggestions on what to buy for vests would be appreciated, may only use them on our boat trip but possibly if we venture out further this time. Thanks so much.

I bought my snorkel equipment, including the bag, from a scuba/snorkel site online. I think it was Diver's Supply, although it's been a few years and I'm not certain about that anymore. My husband bought inflatable vests from the same site. I personally don't use mine because I float like a cork, but my husband uses his and my girlfriend borrows mine and they both feel much more secure wearing them. They are flat and close to the body when deflated and, if you feel the need, you can inflate them quickly without taking them off by blowing a valve located near the shoulder...reachable by turning your head to the side and blowing into the valve. I'm sure you could find either at any scuba/snorkel sit on the web or in a dive shop.

Oh yes....two sets of snorkel gear fits easily into one bag. We usually carry two sets plus a neat sheet and water shoes in our bag.

I think a flotation belt is much better than a vest because it's less restricting...you don't even know that it's there, and it's smaller for travel purposes.

See here for ideas:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... ation+belt

I am also a fan of the belts because most vests seems to restrict my arm motions.

Our snorkel bag is a cheapy mesh thing that I bought with our sets years ago. All three of our sets fit in with no problem and plenty of room to spare and my husband's fins are huge (size 14/15)

I wonder if you can rent the belts? I tried the snorkel vest the first time we went to Whistling Cay and didn't like it at all. Even with just a little air in it, it felt like I was floating on a ball and could tip over.

We got our snorkel bag at Cruz Bay Watersports and it easily carries 2 sets of gear, packsafe, and a couple bottles of water.

We have the vests but don't use them anymore since we discovered swim noodles. This last trip we bought 2 on island and were very comfortable going further and staying out longer than we would have without them plus it's very comfortable.

Thanks. My husband had a noodle but we were at the Indians and it was very choppy. He was a bit "freaked" and I think will just be more secure with a vest or maybe belt. Thanks for the input.

mindehankins wrote:I wonder if you can rent the belts? I tried the snorkel vest the first time we went to Whistling Cay and didn't like it at all. Even with just a little air in it, it felt like I was floating on a ball and could tip over.

I haven't used one in several years, but when I did, I rented from Low Key.

I have always used an inflatable vest and I also use short fins. I don't bring the snorkel bag to STJ. I put the fins/snorkel/vest in my carry-on and I have a cheap mesh backpack from WallyWorld (it was in the laundry bag section) that cost about $2 that I use to carry my snorkel gear, neat sheet, small towel, and small cooler to the beach. Works great for me. My wife doesn't snorkel a lot, but when she decides she wants to we can also fit her snorkel gear in the mesh backpack. The mesh backpacks are much lighter than the snorkel bags and don't hold water or sand.

Hawaii wrote:Thanks. My husband had a noodle but we were at the Indians and it was very choppy. He was a bit "freaked" and I think will just be more secure with a vest or maybe belt. Thanks for the input.

I understand. We had a snorkel trip from hell in the DR (a reef far off shore) and ever since, my husband won't do open water snorkels or snorkel off a boat since.

I think vests can be tricky because if it doesn't fit right, it can ride up around one's neck and face, which isn't comfortable or safe. Do you live near a Cabela's or Bass Pro? We got our son's at Bass Pro and it was helpful to have a number to try one until we found one that fit just right.