I've been reading some posts from the last few days and don't want this to be dismissed as a stupid question because I honestly don't know...<BR>Can you snorkel if you don't know how to swim? We will be doing a carribean vacation soon, and my husband and I would like to snorkel, but he doesn't know how to swim. A few sites I've been to said there are floatation vests one can wear but it seems contrary to the experience. Any advice is appreciated..

Not a stupid question! My husband is also not a swimmer and has really enjoyed snorkelling while we are on holiday in the Caribbean. The flippers help a lot in moving around and if you choose the right spots he will be able to float around with his head in the water enjoying the show without even being over his head in water. Anegada was amazing for snorkelling close to the shore (Lolbolly and Cow Wreck) and at Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda we were able to snorkel right off the beach also. It may not be the same as snorkelling over a reef off a boat but he will certainly enjoy himself!

Hi Serious,<BR>It's not a stupid question, and someone who is not a good swimmer can snorkel.<BR>The water throughout the Caribbean is very buoyant, and floating along on the surface is all that is required to snorkel.<BR>I would suggest you go into the calm shallow water on the beach and get him comfortable with the equipment and the sensation of breathing through a snorkel.<BR>Then, if he turns out to be a "sinker," he can use a flotation vest (just a thin vinyl vest with a strap that goes around the waist and through the legs and is blown up to inflate). I've also seen people who were really afraid get one of those floating mats and hang off the side.<BR>Try to go on a tour that will cater to smaller groups and give you personal attention instead of just unleashing 40 people into the water off a catamaran.<BR>I would urge you to do what you can to make him comfortable enough to join you snorkeling. <BR>It is one of the most fascinating things you will ever do, and you can see the most amazing things - sea turtles, fish in colors you didn't know existed in nature, brightly colored coral, etc. Where are you going?<BR>Have fun

Absolutely you can snorkel without being able to swim. Along with a vest or mat, I've been on boats where they give you one of those noodles and you just hook them under your armpits and you're all set!

Yay! Thank you all for the positive and informative replies! My husband and I are happy to hear this. Nancy, we are going to St.John/St.Thomas with hopefully a jaunt to the BVI (if the passports come in time).

You are going to an area that will have lots of things to see in shallow water - especially if you get to go to some of the other islands like Tortola or Virgin Gorda. In addition to the Baths on Virgin Gorda (very shallow), you should try to get to Smuggler's Cove on Tortola. It's one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and there is a marked underwater snorkeling trail (as there is on St. John) just a short distance from shore.<BR>If you haven't already sent your passports, you can pay extra to put a rush on them.<BR>You both are going to have a blast!

Ok, I'll push my luck... I've been told that it's gross to use rented snorkels. Is it worth buying/bringing our own? This will be the first time snorkeling for both of us and I don't know if its worth spending the money or if I should risk sucking someone elses saliva Any thoughts?

Last question first - yes, it is gross to rent snorkel equipment. It's not the expensive to buy. However, if you find that snorkeling is not your thing, you might be stuck with some snorkel equipment. The choice is really yours. We rented our equipment for the first 3 islands, and then bought it. <BR><BR>Agree with everyone, you can not swim and snorkel. It is better to try to snorkel off the beach than be thrown into deep water off a catamaran, but if you have one of those thin vests, you'll be fine. St. John is awesome for beach snorkeling. The underwater snorkel trail in St. John's is fantastic. And, you can take a day trip over to BVI on a boat and don't need a passport (just a birth certificate) -

Snorkel equipment is very inexpensive to buy and can be found at chain stores such as WalMart and KMart.<BR>Even very good quality snorkels are relatively inexpensive. (I don't think I would buy a mask there however.)<BR>You can go to a dive shop and get a pretty good snorkel for around $25. <BR>That way, you'll have one for all the future snorkeling you'll be doing once you get hooked

Hi Serious!<BR><BR>It is possible to snorkel without swiming...<BR><BR>...BUT, unless you are in a very protected area - very calm water, people are more comfortable snorkeling when they have swimming skills. Water conditions in the ocean vary and if there are waves - even small ones, that can be very unnerving to a non swimmer. I do not recommend a boat snorkel trip for your husband. I am an avid snorkeler and every boat trip has been with people who are divers getting ready to fly the next day or experienced snorkelers like myself who can swim. You never know what the ocean conditions will be like. <BR><BR>I snorkeled off Honeymoon Beach in St. John this summer and the water was quite choppy. The weak swimmers on my tour had to get out of the water.<BR><BR>Some of the advice you were given seemed to indicate that you didn't have to be a good swimmer to snorkel, which is very true. But did you say your husband doesn't swim at all? Can he float?<BR><BR>Probably the perfect place to go on St. Johns is Trunk Bay. Usually very calm, excellent beach, and he can practice snorkeling in the shallow water near the beach. If you can, after you buy your equiptment, go to a shallow pool at your health club or a Y before your trip and let him put his face in the water and practice breathing with the snorkel. Both of you can practice snorkeling in a pool to get the hang of it.<BR><BR>I have my own snorkel equiptment - I do not believe most rented snorkeling equiptment is cleaned very well.<BR><BR>I think your husband would greatly benefit from a "boogie board" or a swimmers kick board. I don't know where you live, but surf shops carry them. You can go to any swim shop and buy a kick board. They give a greater sense of security than a swim vest. A true boogie board is like a half surf board. The great thing about these is that your husband can rest his upper body on the boogie board and float and snorkel. <BR><BR>One of the floating mats will do the same, just lay on it backwards. Several swim "noodles" would be the next best thing.<BR><BR>Remind your husband of the cardinal rules of snorkeling - NEVER STAND ON CORAL - that kills it and it takes hundreds of years to regenerate. Also coral can give you a nasty cut that can get infected. Don't touch anything - there are lots of fire coral and sea urchins offshore St. John - very nasty stings.<BR>Take only pictures and leave only bubbles and I am sure you guys will have a great time. After seeing the underwater beauty, your husband will come back and take swimming lessons!<BR><BR>Have a great trip.

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