I will be heading to the Cayman Islands (specifically Grand Caymans) at the end of August and I'd like to know if I should buy my own snorkeling gear or should I rent them? What are the general prices for renting a mask, snorkel, fins and a vest? Please advise!

I would seriously consider buying your own. Most places "clean" them by dipping or soaking in clorox - maybe - and those snorkles have been in too many mouths!!! If you have your own mask, hopefully, you know it will fit and may be more comfortable than some that the rentals use!

We are also going on a snorkeling trip this week. Buy your own stuff! It's all on sale now and you can get the whole outfit for $35.00. MVP Sports has a coupon on the web (MVPsports.com)for 20% off now. <BR>I just used it yesterday and got the rest of our stuff. <BR> <BR>Believe me once the snorkeling bug has hit you you will use it again and again!

Kaya: Buy it. <BR> <BR>It only takes one time to use the hotels' or the snorkel charters' gear to convince you. Everyone is right about the "cleaning" and not to mention the usual poor condition or cheesy quality of it. <BR> <BR>We take ours and toss it in a small carry on and take it out to the beach. It's not expensive to get decent quality stuff right at home. If you buy it there, it will be twice as much. <BR> <BR>Once you get the hang of it, you can just spend hours at a time in the water!

Lee: <BR> <BR>Do you carry flippers in your carry-on as well? Does your snorkelling gear consist of vest as well?

Thank you all for your suggestions and advices! A note for stierney- what is the correct url for MVP Sports? And the name of the snorkel gear you purchased? Does anyone know of any inexpensive websites to purchase snorkel gear?

Try www.performancediver.com. They have a sale going on right now. We have ordered from them and had good service.

<BR>If you plan to snorkel a lot, might want to consider purchasing better equipment from a dive shop. We did & the difference is like night & day. <BR> <BR>Find one locally rather than buying on the island. You won't be wasting precious vacation time. A knowledgable sales person can help you find the style & fit for you. For instance in fins, you might want to look for endurance (yours, not the fin!).

<BR>Hi, <BR>I'd not recommend a website or a sporting goods store. Call around for a dive shop that has someone who is an avid snorkeler to gain a lot of great information as well as get the right fit. You need actually to try these things on, as they're not all created equal & not one size fits all. (hint: good equipment lasts a long, long time with minimal care). <BR> <BR>There have been a lot of scientific advances in snorkel gear in the past few years. TUSA is a great brand name to look for. <BR> <BR>If you're not a serious snorkeler or new at it, I guess just go for price. There are lots of great snorkel spots on Grand Cayman so if you're not a serious snorkeler before your trip you just might return as one! There is great beach snorkeling in addition to the tours, so you'll want to have your equipment with you as you tool around the island. <BR> <BR>About the use of chlorine: yuk. The masks turn foggy, the silicone dries up, in fact, it generally weakens & does terrible things to materials that are exposed to it repeatedly. <BR> <BR>Kit

Try Leisurepro.com <BR>

Definitely buy your own. It will pay for itself within a few years if you get as addicted as we did to snorkeling. I'd suggest going to a local dive shop and having someone fit you for your mask and fins rather than buying something from a website. A good fit will make the difference between a wonderful day snorkeling and an absolutely miserable one.

<BR>Meg & the others are so right. Not only will your snorkeling be ruined by a poor fit, you'll be kicking yourself at the $ you spent. You don't realize until you try different masks on to compare just how much difference there is in vision, comfort, quality, etc. You can even have prescription lenses or inserts made if you get really serious about your snorkeling. Most of the better masks will improve your distance vision somewhat anyway, even without a correction. <BR> <BR>You will never be sorry if you purchase locally & shop for fit. You might get lucky ordering sight unseen. Or you may just think you're lucky & never know just how good equipment really fits your face, mouth & feet. <BR> <BR>Nothing will ruin a trip faster than blisters from poorly fitting fins or a jaw ache from a snorkel not quite matched to your mouth. Or a mask that feels awkward or doesn't allow peripheal vision. If you don't try them on in person, you're really rolling the dice. <BR> <BR>Ask for a discount. Many dive shops with take a percentage off if you buy fins, snorkel & mask from them, not just one piece. And they sell great equipment bags, especially the backpacks. It's also a good idea to purchase a synthetic mesh (not cotton) laundry bag at a camping or discount store. After washing the sea water from your gear, hang it from the shower head to dry. <BR> <BR>Never store your fins on their tips or your mask face down. Use common sense & your gear will last a long, long time.

Sandra: No vest and yes, we toss the flippers, masks, snorkles, swimsuits and a water-tight money holder in the bag with some sunscreen. That's about it. It's a carry-on, so we don't have to wait for our luggage to get to the hotel (last trip, two hours later) and head right to the beach. <BR> <BR>We didn't use the flippers much, especially right along shore. You don't have to have them since the salt water makes you more buoyant. <BR> <BR>I agree about not using the gear in the pool as it won't be good for it. Snorkeling right along the beach was fun, too. We found countless shells and a starfish on our last trip, just snorkeling for hours. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR> <BR>

I purchased a Body Glove snorkel set (snorkel, mask & fins) for $39 at Sam's Club a few weeks ago. The set comes in 3-4 colors and the quality is equal, if not superior, to what you'll find at a resort or rental facility on the beach. Have fun!!

Ooops! Forgot to answer your question, Kaya . . . snorkel gear rental in the USVI (St. John & St. Thomas) is about $7-$10/day + refundable security deposit. I'm sure the prices are comparable in the Caymans.

Approximately how much should I expect to pay for a good mask and snorkel? Had a great time snorkeling in Hawaii last year (everyone who says to get good equipment is so right; with all the water coming down the tube during my previous experience I thought I was going to drown and nearly vowed never to try it again) and have been considering buying for next time. However, noticed a HUGE difference between the local dive shop and the large sports chain stores--I believe that it's worthwhile to pay more for real customer service, but did not know whether this store in particular was ultra-expensive and would be interested in some general price guidelines.

Again, many many thanks for the great and helpful responses! I will certainly go to my local store and purchase them versus purchasing them online. Can't wait to use them at the Caymans!

Can anyone recommend a UK web site or shop for gear?? <BR>Thanks.