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Well it is one week until we departure for St John for a week. Woohoo! This will be my first time snorkeling. I started practicing in our pool and feel very comfortable with it now. What is the recommendation? Should I take my gear, or just rent on St. John.? I will say that I only have the mask and snorkel, no flippers. If I should rent on the island, do you have any affordable recommendations on good gear (not that I'd know the difference)? thanks in advance!
Rey
Just take it. The flippers take all the room & you said you don't have any. Just take out some clothes since you'll never wear all you packed:)
We like bringing our gear. Make sure the mask fits tightly (Hold mask to face, close mouth, inhale holding breath. Mask should stay in place after letting go). Fins make getting around much easier. Rent them if you do not already have them since they take up the most space anyway.
Francis Bay, along the RH side out to Whistling Cay. Stay 15-20 yards off shore. Work across the grassy bottom and then toward the rocky shoreline. Turtles, rays, barracuda, rivers of smaller fish (couldn't see the bottom) and the larger ones that feed on them.
Hawksnest, along the East (RH) side around the rocky out crop. Turtles, squid, octopus.
Little Lamshure along the East (LH) side. Rays, squid & lobster
Left them all for you to see.
We like to take our own masks and snorkels, they fit us and that's what is important. We actually bought fins while at the Bolongo Bay's dive shop. They were reasonable and fit well. We also bought a fin backpack, or whatever you might call it. It fits all the snorkeling gear for two and that's my husband's carry on luggage. I have other things I pack in my backpack...:D
If your mask doesn't leak or doesn't leave deep painful lines in your face, take it.
Same with the snorkle. They too can be leaky (if they leave deep painful lines in your face, we can't help you there).
Also, there is just something about sharing a mask........
If you like your stuff, find room.
If you going to try Little Lameshur, hit Salt Pond on the way. That's one of my wifes faves and it's nice for firsttimers.
By all means take your own stuff especially mask and snorkel. A well fitting mask makes a world of difference in your enjoyment of snorkeling. Ditto to the above about Salt Pond Bay. Good place for beginners and you can go farther out as you begin to feel more comfortable. The pelicans and the brown bootys fed in the mornings, fun to watch. Even in close to shore, there are usually a number of different fish and sometimes some small squid. Not unusual to see a turtle there either. Plus it is a really nice sandy beach.
oh, on st thomas, and the snorkeling gear. try to get to the stand where they rent it right away, the gear goes. I thinks its better tho if you got room in the suitcase to bring your own, as the stem goes in the mouth with its mouthpiece and im funny about sharing. your soooo right, i pack all that stuff and only get to wear half of it. boy, what we wont do for a little time in the islands;-) have a cheery day. i am going in august. whooopeeee
