I'm looking to buy snorkeling equipment for an adult newbie with from what I have read, the snorkle that doesn't allow the water to come back in.
I'm a newbie to snorkeling and for that matter to swimming. However, a 20 day trip to Hawaii has pushed me back to swim lessons and getting snorkeling in on Oahu, BI, and Kauai.
I'm seriously thinking about buying the snorkel equipment before I leave for Hawaii since we go to South Florida at least 3 times per year and could use the equipment then. Of course, we could use it on other vacations, but Florida is where have family.
Any good places on the internet to buy it and is there a particular brand? Are the fins with the strap in the back better than the ones that your whole foot goes into.
Thanks to all of you for your efforts and opinions.
Olga
I'm a newbie to snorkeling and for that matter to swimming. However, a 20 day trip to Hawaii has pushed me back to swim lessons and getting snorkeling in on Oahu, BI, and Kauai.
I'm seriously thinking about buying the snorkel equipment before I leave for Hawaii since we go to South Florida at least 3 times per year and could use the equipment then. Of course, we could use it on other vacations, but Florida is where have family.
Any good places on the internet to buy it and is there a particular brand? Are the fins with the strap in the back better than the ones that your whole foot goes into.
Thanks to all of you for your efforts and opinions.
Olga
You should go to a local dive shop to get quality equipment that you can try on and make sure it fits.
I have the fins with strap that I wear with aqua socks but the other kind with boots would be more comfortable for sure.
I have the fins with strap that I wear with aqua socks but the other kind with boots would be more comfortable for sure.
Trying the mask on at a dive shop is the best way to ensure a good fit. THat being said, I've also used masks bought at Target and at CVS and had no problems with them. A dry snorkel is a dry snorkel is a dry snorkel--you can pick one up almost anywhere.
A lot of folks only buy a mask & snorkel to take with them on vacation, and just rent fins when they get there. I found that a lot of fins available through various hotels and daysailing operations really hurt my feet, though, so I recently purchased a pair of fins that are fairly short--about 12"--that are easy enough for me to pack.
A lot of folks only buy a mask & snorkel to take with them on vacation, and just rent fins when they get there. I found that a lot of fins available through various hotels and daysailing operations really hurt my feet, though, so I recently purchased a pair of fins that are fairly short--about 12"--that are easy enough for me to pack.
Olga,
I read your other post about fins and even though you think you may use the gear after your trip I would recommend renting. I tried snorkeling for the 1st time last summer in Kauai and I am a big wimp, weak swimmer etc! We rented at Snorkle Bobs and they have a deal where you can pickup on one island and drop off on another..not sure if it is every island. I am a bit nearsighted so I got a prescription mask, which was a better grade mask than the regular ones. We also paid more for a better snorkle that kept the water from going in the top. I think I would have paid quite a bit to buy the items we rented. The other issue with buying at home is the space it takes to pack the gear. See if you enjoy it before you invest. Also, if you are not comfortable due to the newbie status, try the scuba gear in your hotel pool before you go in the ocean. I am claustrophobic and I had to get used to the mask on my face and it was much easier to do in a shallow pool with no current or swells etc. I wound up loving it and can't wait to go back! My first time out I watched a huge turtle a few feet below me for at least ten minutes! Have a great trip!
I read your other post about fins and even though you think you may use the gear after your trip I would recommend renting. I tried snorkeling for the 1st time last summer in Kauai and I am a big wimp, weak swimmer etc! We rented at Snorkle Bobs and they have a deal where you can pickup on one island and drop off on another..not sure if it is every island. I am a bit nearsighted so I got a prescription mask, which was a better grade mask than the regular ones. We also paid more for a better snorkle that kept the water from going in the top. I think I would have paid quite a bit to buy the items we rented. The other issue with buying at home is the space it takes to pack the gear. See if you enjoy it before you invest. Also, if you are not comfortable due to the newbie status, try the scuba gear in your hotel pool before you go in the ocean. I am claustrophobic and I had to get used to the mask on my face and it was much easier to do in a shallow pool with no current or swells etc. I wound up loving it and can't wait to go back! My first time out I watched a huge turtle a few feet below me for at least ten minutes! Have a great trip!
Guest
I liked Snorkel Bobs, which my husband and I used for our rentals. And we took it from one Island to another. My son's we bought at Costco on Maui. He's used it maybe 9/10 times so far on two different Hawaii trips.
I think the thing that keeps the water out of the snorkle is called a "baffle."
There are some fins that go on Teva sandals...saw them in USVI earlier this spring. That way you have foot protection from coral and urchins [my friend stepped on an sea urchin and was miserable for the rest of our trip]and they are flat and compact so they don't take up a lot of room in suitcase.
Hope this helps...
Debi
There are some fins that go on Teva sandals...saw them in USVI earlier this spring. That way you have foot protection from coral and urchins [my friend stepped on an sea urchin and was miserable for the rest of our trip]and they are flat and compact so they don't take up a lot of room in suitcase.
Hope this helps...
Debi
I only found out last year that there was such a thing as prescription masks. What a great thing to have!
We bought snorkel equipment online last year for a trip to Elbow Cay, Bahamas. I got it through www.snorkelcity.com. It arrived pretty quickly, with no problems.
The equipment for 4 people took up an entire large suitcase. The fins, in particular, are very large and also quite heavy. I was happy to have brought it on a trip where we were going to do a lot of snorkeling. But on a trip where we would maybe use it once or twice, I would probably just bring the mask and snorkel, and leave the fins at home.
I won't recommend any particular types of equipment or brands, since I just picked blindly from what was available on the website, usually picking the middle of the line equipment.
We bought snorkel equipment online last year for a trip to Elbow Cay, Bahamas. I got it through www.snorkelcity.com. It arrived pretty quickly, with no problems.
The equipment for 4 people took up an entire large suitcase. The fins, in particular, are very large and also quite heavy. I was happy to have brought it on a trip where we were going to do a lot of snorkeling. But on a trip where we would maybe use it once or twice, I would probably just bring the mask and snorkel, and leave the fins at home.
I won't recommend any particular types of equipment or brands, since I just picked blindly from what was available on the website, usually picking the middle of the line equipment.
Do it right.
Go to a dive shop in your area.
No two faces are exactly the same. The variety at a dive shop will virtually guarantee getting a mask that fits your face properly. Try on all of them if that's what it takes. There is nothing more annoying while snorkeling than a leaky mask..... 'cept maybe stepping on an urchin.
Go to a dive shop in your area.
No two faces are exactly the same. The variety at a dive shop will virtually guarantee getting a mask that fits your face properly. Try on all of them if that's what it takes. There is nothing more annoying while snorkeling than a leaky mask..... 'cept maybe stepping on an urchin.
Yeah, my son stepped on a sea urchin that trip too. It hurt him for the next week and made his 3 soccer practices and games that week a bit tough for him. It is impossible to get those little spindles out!
I bought my gear from Herrington's catalog. They also have an online store. http://herrington-catalog.stores.yahoo.net/fs161.html#
I have gotten 2 sets from them. Back when I got my first set, we had never seen snorkels with a "sea valve" but I think they are pretty common now.
Love the masks I have gotten from them. It has a exposed nose pocket - you can read about it on their site. This type of mask may also be common now.
Looking on Herrington site - scroll down to get price for both pieces.
Not wild about the colors they offer now. My hubby's equipment is neon green - I like that cuz when I am on the beach and he is out snorkeling by himself, I can easily spot him cuz he "glows".
Never use the fins I got from Herrington's - they are nifty but are too long. I still use the old rental flippers that a rental shop had for sale real cheap. Having your own fins is convenient but renting them is fine.
Rental places will often let you rent them for your whole vacation time.
I have the fins my whole foot goes in. They are not big enough to also wear a water sock under which is no hassle but water socks are good for walking on rocks, etc. Not sure, but I think for the ones with the strap it's best to also a water sock. Could be wrong about that.
A dive bag is great to have - ours is mostly netting with zipper pockets at the ends. Great to carry equipment on the plane and on the beach or boat.I usually pack socks etc in plastic bags and put it in the dive bag to help protect the equipment.
I have gotten 2 sets from them. Back when I got my first set, we had never seen snorkels with a "sea valve" but I think they are pretty common now.
Love the masks I have gotten from them. It has a exposed nose pocket - you can read about it on their site. This type of mask may also be common now.
Looking on Herrington site - scroll down to get price for both pieces.
Not wild about the colors they offer now. My hubby's equipment is neon green - I like that cuz when I am on the beach and he is out snorkeling by himself, I can easily spot him cuz he "glows".
Never use the fins I got from Herrington's - they are nifty but are too long. I still use the old rental flippers that a rental shop had for sale real cheap. Having your own fins is convenient but renting them is fine.
Rental places will often let you rent them for your whole vacation time.
I have the fins my whole foot goes in. They are not big enough to also wear a water sock under which is no hassle but water socks are good for walking on rocks, etc. Not sure, but I think for the ones with the strap it's best to also a water sock. Could be wrong about that.
A dive bag is great to have - ours is mostly netting with zipper pockets at the ends. Great to carry equipment on the plane and on the beach or boat.I usually pack socks etc in plastic bags and put it in the dive bag to help protect the equipment.
My hubby's equpment is made by U.S. Divers. http://usdivers.com/
Mine is by Ocean Masters.
My son's is by Body Glove. http://www.bodyglove.com/products/fi...elist=showcase
He was a first time snorkeler, tried mine and the Body Glove. Did better with the Body Glove.
Mine is by Ocean Masters.
My son's is by Body Glove. http://www.bodyglove.com/products/fi...elist=showcase
He was a first time snorkeler, tried mine and the Body Glove. Did better with the Body Glove.
You can find Ocean Master products at DiveBooty.com http://shop.divebooty.com/products/m...ling_gear.html or at http://us.geometry.net/search.php?mo...=ocean+masters (scroll down).
That will allow you to see the difference in they type of valves on the different brands of snorkels, etc.
That will allow you to see the difference in they type of valves on the different brands of snorkels, etc.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Such wonderful information. I looked at the snorkel store websites, a bit overwhelming with all the different manufacturer's. However, there were good tips there as well.
If Costco had adult snorkeling equipment I would buy it there due to its incredible guarantee on anything purchased there. But, alas,Costco didn't have anything on line nor at our local stores.
We don't have a local dive shop that I could find, so I went to Dick's to see what it had. Very limited in alot of ways, certainly compared to the internet stores.
Mary2Go mentioned practicing at the hotel pool. Great idea. So I bought a snorkel set at Dick's so I could practice at the pool where I am re-learning to swim. I tried on the mask which had the nose blow holes and clear side views. When I breathed in, the mask stuck to my face well.
The fins aren't too long and somewhat flexible with holes in the fins. (I read on one internet store website that beginners should have less flexible fins.)
With your ideas, I also thought of the gear bag - it came with the set. And, I got a waterproof "stuff" bag for keys, camera, etc. Still wondering how water proof that bag can be for my good camera.
I plan on trying it all out at the pool tomorrow.
Again, Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Such wonderful information. I looked at the snorkel store websites, a bit overwhelming with all the different manufacturer's. However, there were good tips there as well.
If Costco had adult snorkeling equipment I would buy it there due to its incredible guarantee on anything purchased there. But, alas,Costco didn't have anything on line nor at our local stores.
We don't have a local dive shop that I could find, so I went to Dick's to see what it had. Very limited in alot of ways, certainly compared to the internet stores.
Mary2Go mentioned practicing at the hotel pool. Great idea. So I bought a snorkel set at Dick's so I could practice at the pool where I am re-learning to swim. I tried on the mask which had the nose blow holes and clear side views. When I breathed in, the mask stuck to my face well.
The fins aren't too long and somewhat flexible with holes in the fins. (I read on one internet store website that beginners should have less flexible fins.)
With your ideas, I also thought of the gear bag - it came with the set. And, I got a waterproof "stuff" bag for keys, camera, etc. Still wondering how water proof that bag can be for my good camera.
I plan on trying it all out at the pool tomorrow.
Again, Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
