chaplin

We are heading to TCI the first week in February with our just turned 5 year old. He is all about snorkeling so we are trying to figure out the best way for him to do this. He is just starting to become a strong swimmer in a pool, and I feel like he would be ok in calm water with some kind of supportive vest (life jacket or swim vest) and our close attention. He just got his own snorkeling gear and has used it pretty well in a swimming pool.

We are only there for four days (at West Bay Club) and want to spend most of that time just relaxing on the beach or in the pool and maybe doing some of our own island exploring, so I'm thinking of limiting our time to one excursion. I'm looking at a half day snorkeling cruise with a company like Caicos dreams or Captain Bill's Outback Adventures. Any thoughts on either of those? Any other suggestions? Are there any snorkeling excursions that stick to shallower water?

Also, he really wants to go parasailing. Do they let 5 year olds do that?

Any other things you recommend for our kiddo?

kellybeaches

Hi chaplin,
We were just in Provo in August with our 3 and 6 year old and our friends kids as well. We did the Caicos Dream Tour, but neither of our kids (although good swimmers) wanted to snorkel in open water. It was too scary for them with the waves. I would recommend Coral Gardens for your son where he can gear up on the beach and walk in under his own terms since it's off-beach snorkeling. I've done that w/my kids before and they were fine. Here's my Trip Report w/photos for other ideas to do w/kids. Have a great time!
http://www.fodors.com/community/cari...gust-13-21.cfm

sarahillturks

Hi Chaplin,

You may also want to check out Undersea Explorer which is a semi submarine tour with a really nice couple Alister and Betty. It's fun for both adults and kids and a great family outing. Check our their website here http://www.caicostours.com/

Also worth the adventure is a day trip to North and Middle Caicos. TCI Ferry has packages available that include an island tour including to the caves on Middle Caicos and other great landmarks. http://www.tciferry.com/

Hope this helps!

blamona

Staying at WBC, you're a 2 minute walk to the best beginner's snorkel reef ever: Coral Gardens.

Starts at zero entry, so you can be in waist deep water in the sand and just bend your head over until you get used to it, then you can swim out on your own comfort level when you start getting comfortable, so it's at your own pace. there are still fish to see where's shallow, of course it's more exciting the farther you go out.

Borrow a noodle or life vest from WBC, helps ease fears.

Keep in mind, the water is extremely salty, so floating naturally is easier than pools, or State beaches.

Please use fins! No matter how calm the water looks, if you go around there can be undertones. One direction is always easier than the other, so if you feel resistance in one direction, start at the other side and go all the way around.

Make sure to take him to Sapadilla Bay, while no snorkeling, that beach makes kids giddy!

PS my now 10 year old has been snorkeling (even at the reef out middle of ocean) since she was 3!

She's a little fish now!

chaplin

Thanks for these responses! I hadn't considered how my son might feel about swimming in open water. But Coral Gardens sounds perfect.

Thanks for sharing your pictures, kellybeaches! Looks like an amazing trip.

My son is now demanding we do the Undersea Explorer. Thanks for mentioning it, sarahillturks.

And blamona, I checked out the pictures from your most recent trip. The pictures of your daughter were awesome! Thanks for the snorkeling tips!

kellybeaches

Chaplin,
If you can, I would still recommend the 1/2 day Caicos Dream Tour excursion - the kids loved seeing the iguanas and enjoyed the boat ride.

The highlight of the trip for our daughter (and probably my husband and myself too) was the Provo Pony ride. Definitely do that if you can -our photos of it are in my trip report. You get to take the horses into the water too which is a unique experience for sure. And if your son is an inexperienced rider, he can be lead lined (it was our friend's sons first time riding so he used a lead line and loved it!). And our daughter's pony Cowboy was a sweetheart - she trotted on him most of the time (her first time trotting by herself) and he was very tolerable to her "form", even though we kept telling her to keep her hands close to the saddle. The staff was very friendly, the horses well kept, and it was a really nice time.


Oh, and if you're looking to get professional photos done, I can't say enough great things about Brilliant by Tropical Imaging. Ileana did our photos (they come to you) and the quality is absolutely amazing. What better place than Provo to get your family photos done?
http://www.brilliant.tc/
(our blog page on their site)
http://brilliant.tc/blog/2011/08/tur...eivert-family/

Love, love them!

Enjoy your trip!

virginia

this is the greatest snorkel vest. it will make you & your son more comfortable. to inflate just one or 2 puffs of air into the red tube & you're floating
http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.as...1&Term=snorkel vest&Hit=1

TPAYT

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