hlg22

I am going to St. John for the first time in about two weeks for a wedding, and will be staying in a rental villa. I've been told that it is advisible to purchase and bring my own equipment for snorkeling, rather than renting it on St. John. Is renting snorkel equipment on St. John really such a problem? I am only bringing a carryon suitcase, and would prefer not to have to take up a lot of space by lugging snorkel gear.

If bringing your own gear really is preferable, can anyone recommend a basic snorkel set? I am looking for something good but not super expensive, as this is probably the only time I'll use it.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide! Any other advice about "can't miss" activities or restaurants would also be appreciated - because this trip is for a wedding and several events are already planned, other than booking the villa I really haven't had time to research and plan for St. John as fully as I usually do for vacation.

tyedye33

I bought my own Snorkel equipment for St John last year (it cost around $50-60) I did this knowing I would use it again. I know you can rent snokel equipent at Trunk Bay but you must return it that day. I recall last year that you can rent equipment for a week right around Cruz Bay for about the same price as it would cost you to purchase the same.

hlg22

Thanks tyedye,
I did a google search which turnd up rentals at Cruz Bay Watersports for $50/week, so I will look into that. Has anyone rented from them? $50-60 would be fine but the concern is more the space in the suitcase, which is also what will preclude me from really using it again - I am going to Zanzibar later this year and will be snorkeling there too, but have a strict luggage limit as I'm going on safari first so there's no way I'd be able to bring my own snorkel stuff.

Dianebridles

I recommend buying the equiptment at a dive shop on St. John as it is mos important for enjoyable snorkeling to have a good fit that the mask does not leak. They will guarantee the correct fit if you ask. Low Key Watersports and another dive shop is in Cruz Bay. In addition,do you really want to use a snorkel that has been in many other mouths. Basic equiptment is snorkel, mask and fins. It really does not take that much space.

Zozo's is a freat restaurant for an excellent dinner. Ask for a table at the edge of the balcony at sunset. Lime Inn is my favorite for lunch.

Mongoose Junction is a nice shopping area; from there you can walk to additional shops on the whar where Low Key is also located.

virginia

i too think you need your own mask. i would shop now at home or on line at www.leisurepro.com
if it were me i would buy a snorkel too. both are very light weight.
the fins are what uses up a lot of space and weigh more so definitely rent those.

hlg22

Dianebridles,
That's a great idea - I don't know why I didn't think of buying equipment on St. John. Even if more expensive, I like the idea of seeing exactly what I'm getting, rather than ordering from amazon or something, and I can expand and check my suitcase heading back home if needed, since I'm not as concerned about losing it for a few days on the way back as I would be on the way to St. John...and I can always just leave the fins behind if needed. Thanks! I will also check out the restaurant and shopping suggestions.

jkr2006

Look around your area for a dive shop and try to buy your mask ahead of time. You may have more choice here than on the island. Rent fins, I agree. Enjoy!

VillaBob

I agree with purchasing you gear. I dive so we already had ours. My items are brought in a mesh dive bag with enough room to bring other items you may not want to put in your checked luggage(with your clothes). Such as hiking items, maybe a collapsable cooler for the beach, or anything. To have your own snorkle equipment is great and bringing them is not a lot more of a problem and you have them over and over each time you travel.

greenie

Agree with virginia. Rent the fins--buy everything else. You'll use it over and over. Go to a dive shop in your town. They'll fit you. You can also buy anything else you might need like a waterproof dive wallet or something like that.

Peace, Greenie

rm_mn

You may also want to get a mask fitted with prescription lenses. It's so much nicer to see clearly instead of just a blur. Your local dive shop can have that done for you although the job may have to be sent out and can take a couple of seeks.

hlg22

Thanks all, but I think this is WAY more complicated than I want to get. I will probably snorkel a couple of times on St. John, and previous to this trip the last time I went snorkeling was probably 6 years ago in Belize. I have no plans to go in the future, other than maybe a day on Zanzibar this fall, so I don't think I need prescription masks, dive bags, coolers, etc., etc.

I am not planning to check any luggage for this trip, so since it appears there are shops on St. John where I can purchase or rent basic snorkeling equipment, I think I'll stick with that. Thanks again for all the recommendations!

PRDIVER

Hi -
I used to be a Master Scuba Diver Trainer in WI. The best advice I can give is to buy the mask and snorkel. These are personal equipment & for sanitary reason is better not to rent. I you wear glasses, get the mask fitter with a) lences that is glued to the mask or b) get a mask that has a prescription tempered glass. Fins you can rent at any scuba place in the island or you can buy full pocket fins very inexpensive at any sport shop in the us. The equipment will not take that much space in the bag, plus you can use it in the future. I will also recoment to try the equipment in a pool or the bathtub at home so you can get use to it before going at sea.
Hope this help.