My daughter (age 11), my mom and myself are going to Cozumel over xmas. Neither my mom nor daughter have been snorkeling before. I went once when I was in Hawaii about 8 years ago and thought it was one of the most unbelievable things ever. We plan to snorkel just off the beach of our hotel mostly (not a tour of any sorts). We do not plan on going in deep water (maybe 5 feet deep at most). Would it be better for us to rent gear when we are there or should we look for some here (MN) and bring it along? The cleanliness factor alone makes me want to bring our own. What do we need? The mask and tube only? Do we have to have fins? Any ideas where to buy gear for not much money?

I like to use my own rather than rent gear. You can buy it in town in Cozumel - lots of shops there and I think the prices are ok.

I take my own mask and snorkel - I like that my mask fits well and I know where my snorkel has been! You can get basic sets at any sporting goods store, I've even seen decent sets in Target!

Fins are usually easy to rent but I'd take a mask and snorkel for each of you - ones you know fit and function well and are clean. We love to snorkel and everyone in our family has scuba-grade masks and snorkels. I'm a diver, too, but the others just snorkel occasionally and enjoy it so much more with good equipment. You can get fabulous close-out deals sometimes from online scuba places. Check out the sale or clearance lists here:
http://scubatoys.com/
http://www.leisurepro.com/
www.discount-divers.com/
http://www.divers-supply.com/

Happy trails!

Personally I think it's a mistake to try and buy a mask without trying it on. There is a fairly large range of fits and you want a mask that hold a vacuum. If you're thinking of buying online, find some place to try some on so you know what you're buying.

Take your own. You can get good inexpensive sets at your local sports store. Rent the fins and/life jackets at your hotel. I find I can snorkel better with sometype of floating device. If you chose to rent all the equipement at your hotel, be aware it's only for a limited amount of time like an hour and if you did decide to go to one of the off-site beaches or beach clubs, you'll still need your own.

If you liked snorkeling in Hawaii (we didn't as the water was too cold and cloudy) you will be amazed at Cozumel. I highly recommend that you check out Chanakaab Park. One of the better beaches for off shore snorkeling. Cozumel boat snorkeling will be much better. There are many reefs that can't be reached unless by boat.

Hi Kandy, I would recommend you take your own if you can afford that. Renting a mask and tube will cost you about $8-$10 per day, so spending $30 on a set of your own is a bargain. Depending on your hotel and its location, you will most need fins as well. There is quite a strong current along most of the coast of Cozumel and its easy to get swept along and have to work quite hard to get back to your starting location without fins.

Bass Pro has some nice inexpensive gear on their web site. You might want to call to see if its carried in either of the two MN stores so that you could try them on.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...=TOP_SEARCH_GO

I've also seen decent sets at Dick's, and on occassion at Target. West Marine has them and REI does at certain times of the year. You can always find sets at the dive shops, but you will pay a big premium as the quality of dive gear is so much higher than what you need for this trip. Your daughter should have a child's or youth set as an adult mask will likely be too large and leak for her.

We spend a month each Feb in Cozumel (and coincidentally are also from MN), so I would be happy to answer any additional questions you might have.

As previous posters have said, buy your own mask and snorkel tube. Dry snorkel tubes are the best types - you won't get so much water in your tube. They are more expensive than the cheap ones at Target, but so much nicer. We purchased our equipment at a store in Rochester, MN, and they did a great job fitting a mask for our daughter (age 10). You might want to have them practice in a pool before you go.

The snorkeling in Cozumel is so enjoyable - we were there last February. I highly recommend getting a rash guard shirt with SPF protection - especially for your daughter. You might find great sales at this time of year -try Land's End.

I'd just like to encourage you to take a snorkeling tour or two. You'll see a lot more. If you are worried about being in deeper water there are two things to remember. The first is that you will float easier in the tropical waters. The second is life jackets may be worn, either conventional ones (which will, however, prevent you from diving), or specialized diving versions which you can inflate and deflate.

If your mother might have trouble climbing into the boat the guide will help.

You might also consider buying a single use underwater camera or two. You may be surprised at how good the results are!

-If you're not a great swimmer or are a bit nervous about getting into the water to snorkel, consider using a water skier's belt.  It is a simple floatation device that fits around the waist.  It adds just enough buoyancy to let you feel really secure, yet doesn't hold your head up at the exaggerated angle of a collar style life vest.  I'm not a good swimmer but I used one for years and it worked well.  Now I use a shorty wet suit.  These can be rented at dive shops for about $10 per day.  This gives me the added buoyancy and added warmth.  Even though the climate is tropical the water can be cool and if you stay in for more than a few minutes you begin to lose body heat. I just can't say enough about the beauty underwater in Cozumel.  Do whatever it takes to make yourself feel secure enough to enjoy the spectacular sights. 

-If, like me, you are blind without your corrective lenses, also consider a dive mask with correction (much like "cheater" drug store reading glasses) or consider contacts for snorkeling.  The water gives a bit of magnification, but not enough to make things clear if you're dependent on corrective lenses.

-Try night snorkeling.  You can rent large underwater flashlights from most dive shops for about $10.  Many reef creatures only venture out at night - like amazing blue octopus. This is especially fun if your hotel is located right on a reef so that its easy to try.

-I suggest that you purchase an underwater guidebook for the trip.  A good, inexpensive one is "Snorkeling Guide to Marine Life, Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas" by Paul Humann & Ned DeLoach.  It is a small (80 pg.) paperback book that costs about $12 in the US.    This book has great color photos for the fish, coral and sea creatures that you will encounter.  Being able to identify the underwater inhabitants really increases the fun.  ISBN #1-878348-10-8 published by New World Publications, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida.   Phone: 904-737-6558.  Also available at Amazon.com for $10.47. 

-If you want to take underwater pictures, those one-use cameras work pretty well with these caveatsnbsp; only use them on very sunny days, don't try to take pictures of things more than 10 feet down.  Light is lost underwater very quickly and the further down the object the darker your picture will be.  More than 10 feet and its just not worth the effort.  The cameras are much cheaper at Wal-Mart in the states, than at souvenir shops on the island.  Many places will develop your photos with a special process for underwater photos.  It restores a lot of the color.  You have to ask for it when you drop your camera. Underwater digital cameras are wonderful and you can do correction of color right in your computer with the right software.

jette -
You're right that fit is vital. Unless they're an unusual face size or shape (very small or very large face, enormous nose) then we've found that most great quality masks fit a huge range of sizes - often double edged and 100% silicone. Less expensive masks have poorer quality seals and silicone or a silicone-looking alternative. We've ordered online and been pleased with every mask but we always allow time to return one if it doesn't seem perfect (comfortable and will stay on without the strap if you breathe in). As a side note, I greatly prefer masks with black silicone. Happy trails!