Snorkeling Gear - Rent or Buy?
 

Going to St. John in December and am wondering if I should try to buy some snorkeling gear online or just rent a set when we get there. Looks like Crabby's rents for $50/week.

If I buy online, does anyone have recommendations of what brand to purchase or where to buy?

Thanks.

Before decideing whether to rent or purchase ask yourself if you would be comfortable wearing used equipment and in the case of a snorkele putting something into your mouth that has been shared by who knows how many others. If that's not an issue and you are not too concerned with proper fit and are not going to be using your (purchased) equipment year in and year out) then by all go with the rental.

If you decide based on the issues of fit and hygine that you are going to buy snorkeling gear your best bet is to do it at a local dive shop or sporting goods store as you want to try the equipment on before making the purchase. This is especially important for the mask as you want to make sure of the fit. Masks do not come in a "one size fits all" style. You could probably purchase your fins "on line" since the fit is not as critiacl but here again you might find one brand or style more comfortable than another so having the ability to try them on before you buy makes for common sense. Snorkels can be purchased anywhere as "fit" is not a major issue.

Brands are not so inportant as are the quality and fit of the equipment you purchase. That's why it's important to "try before your buy". Once you decide on which make, model and sizes of mask & fins works best for you there's no reason you can't shop around both in local stores and on the internet to find the best price.

Lastly, if you purchase good quality equipment and take care of it properly it will last you quite a few years. Our family has snorkel quipment that's over 15 years old and it is still in very good condition.

Great response from RoamsAround.

We've always carried our own kit with us. Originally we bought a cheap set from Walmart and another cheap set from an ABC store in Hawaii. We did try on before we bought them. They worked well enough and cost less than renting for a week. We loved snorkeling and have since bought more expensive kit.

So one more thing to consider do you think this might be a one off or do you intend to snorkel again? Your answer might determine how much you want to spend.

If this is your first time snorkeling then it's a good idea to try out your equipment in a pool before you go if you thing you might need to learn the technique (highly recommend this for kids).

Hmmm...if I need to try masks on I'm thinking maybe I just need to rent as I don't think there is a store near me that is selling this stuff this time of year and the best I could do is buy online.

Thanks for the replies you two.

Where are you staying? The little store at Gallows Point rents decent equipment at not-high prices. Plus it's an easy place to get in the water and give it a try.

hi lisa, you might be surprised at the number of dive shops in your area and they have gear year round. or you should be able to find a store on st. john selling snorkel gear. if not there is a good shop in red hook on st. thomas. easy walk from the ferry.
agree brand not so important. mask fit is major.
agree deciding if this is a one time experience is important. i bought after my first experience as i knew i'd be going once or twice a year.
if you wanted to look on line leisurepro.com is a good site.

i AM AN AVID SNORKELER AND IF YOU VACATION ONCE A YEAR WHERE YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SNOERKEL THEN BUY BY ALL MEANS. FIT OF THE MASK IS VERY IMPORTANT. BUT, IF YOU CANNOT FIND A DIVE SHOP WITHIN 25+/- MILES DON'T BUY ON-LINE BECAUSE OF THE FIT ISSUE. I WOULD THEN BUY IN ST.JOHN AT A LARGE DIVE SHOP. YOU WILL PAY 20% MORE, MAYBE BUT IT WILL FIT.yOU ONLY NEED THE MASK AND SNORKEL FOR THE FLIPPERS ARE HEAVY TO PACK AND YOU CAN RENT A PAIR FOR $20 FOR A WEEK. A GOOD MASK AND SNORKEL WILL COST $75-$80 BUT IT SHOULD LAST FOR 7-8 YEARS IF YOU WASH IT OUT EACH NIFGT AFTER USING.

Hi Lisa

RoamsAround gave the best advice and consider the following:

Our daughter never enjoyed snorkeling, she borrowed mine and for the first time on her honeymoon really loved it. Two reasons - First she and I have narrowed faces and many of the masks just do not fit and allow water in. The one I had fitted does not. 2nd was the "Dry snorkel" tube. Even if your head dips or a wave comes over it blocks water from the tube.

We went snorkeling for the first time at age 53 at the great barrier reef and I was really nervous, but the equip was great. Dive shops are more around than you think. We had lived in the area 20 years and did not realize we had one within 5 miles of our house in a suburban area.

Have a great trip.

For me, this question is always best answered by you. If you hope to snorkel again within the next 24 months or so, I'd just buy. If you don't plan on snorkeling again anytime soon and don't want to cart the gear around, then renting might be a good option for you. Other than Crabby's, Cruz Bay Watersports has a pretty extensive supply or both rental and for sale gear at their two locations. If you buy, you are better off at least looking at the gear in person. There are lots of middle of the road packages by manufacturers like Body Glove and U.S. Diver which will run you about $65-$100 and are quite serviceable for the average snorkeler. Certainly, the rental stuff is not going to be top of the line anyway. If you don't have a dive shop or a sports store near you which would carry such products ("Sports Authority" is one chain which does), I would just wait and decide once you get to STJ. However, the dive shops there will offer equipment for approximately 25-30% more or run you about $100-$150 for mask, snorkel and fins. At that point, you can decide whether you want to buy or just rent. IMO, if you are unfamiliar with buying snorkel gear, it is best to get in person assistance from a store to make sure you are getting something suitable. Experienced snorkelers familiar with the equipment may have less problems buying online.

Lisa - everyone has given you good advice and as you have probably figured out there's no right or wrong answer.

Do yourself a favor, before you make any decision visit a local dive shop. The staff there will give you lots of assistance and information and you are under no obligation to buy. Once you get a "hands on feel" for the equipment you'll be in a better position to make an informed decision of whether to buy or rent.

You don't say where you live but check your local "yellow pages" or do a google search for dive shops in your area. Unless you live "way out in the sticks" you may be surprised at how many there are within a few miles of your home. For example I live near a relatively small "inland" city in the southwest and yet there are over 20 dive shops within 15 miles of my home.

RoamsAround, I googled and there does seem to be one dive shop in my area so I'll go check it out. Thanks! I had no idea...

Thanks again to everyone!