Advice for a newbie who wants to snorkel...

[jinduy]

I visited my local kmart and sporting goods store and saw various snorkels ranging roughly between $14.99 and $24.99 for a goggle and snorkel set. Some sets include flippers, some don't.


I'm OK at swimming. i can't swim across a pool underwater and barely keep my head above it as i get tired real quick with my mild asthma problem. i think swimming underwater (just kicking my feet) should be no problem tho.

Would it be sufficient to just get a snorkel and goggle set or should i get the flippers too?

Should i buy a life jacket ? any type of jacket/snorkel recommended?

any idea how much it would cost to rent these equipment in hanauma bay (hawaii)?


thanks for reading relatively long post.

 

[Yossarian]

definitely get fins, it makes it a lot more fun when you can move around faster. easier to tread water too. I wouldn't bother with a lifejacket, it will be a pain if you wanna go under at all. if this is for a vacation trip I would just rent the stuff there, it won't be more than $20 I don't think and it beats packing and carrying that junk.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

First person I find to suggest a sig for me will get that suggestion placed in this space! FREE!@

..I think you should click and add "Michelle" to your sig..
goodluck on your snorkeling and enjoy 🙂

 

[brxndxn]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
definitely get fins, it makes it a lot more fun when you can move around faster. easier to tread water too. I wouldn't bother with a lifejacket, it will be a pain if you wanna go under at all. if this is for a vacation trip I would just rent the stuff there, it won't be more than $20 I don't think and it beats packing and carrying that junk.

Completely agree.. Fins are great if you want to snorkel for a long time. Best places to snorkel are isolated inlet areas around 2-7ft deep. I dunno where you live, but here in FL I see sand dollars, sea urchins, crabs, and tropical fish regularly when I snorkel.

BTW, about the mask, don't worry about price. A fitting mask is better than a high-quality mask. MAKE SURE THAT THE MASK FITS. It will be very annoying if you always get water in your mask or it is hard to purge.

However, higher quality fins will last much longer and they will stay stiffer for better treading. Cheap fins will wear out quick and they'll become burdensome.

Practice holding your breath and treading water. If you get tired quickly while snorkeling, you just need to get in shape. After you can hold your breath for a minute to a minute and a half, you can snorkel in 30ft of water no problem.

 

[badboyeee]

if your going to Hanauma Bay, just put bread in your pockets then all the fish will come to you. you dont need a snorkel, just get goggles hehe. if your a first timer then you will be amazed by that.

if u wanna see more exotic fish and reef, then ya get snorkels and fins. you have to go farther where theres less people and water is rougher.

 

[jinduy]

thanks for the advice fellas... so would you guys rent or buy a set ? i needa consider a set for my gf too. i think i'll prolly rent it... i hope they sterilize the snorkel mouthpieces somehow 😕

 

[nageov3t]

scuba gear + bags of bricks + pool = interesting afternoon :thumbsup:

 

[badboyeee]

rent if you plan to only go once. if u rent from somewhere else it will be cheaper (like somewhere in waikiki or something). im assuming you will be doing the tourist thing. hanauma bay is like the only place to see a lot of fish while snorkeling. theres some fish at waimea bay (left side of the rock where people jump off from). i also saw a turtle there once. i saw couple turtles at hanuama bay.

any type of fins work for me. i usually dont use fins myself tho.

 

[shutterFly]

If you're going to be in Waikiki and don't want to travel with a set, there's a place just a few miles outside of Waikiki on Kapahulu Ave. called Snorkel Bob's. They'll rent you a set, (mask, snorkel and fins) for about $10/day... At least that what it was a few years ago... They'll fit you for the mask and fins as well and can probably give you advice on where to go.

Hanauma Bay is nice but it will cost you $3 and the parking is a major pain... There's a place called Shark's Cove on the North Shore just past Waimea Bay that, in my opinion, is a better spot and free. Just don't go there during the winter months. Anyway, the shop can give you ideas on good spots.

BTW, if you go to Hanauma, don't take food for the fish... Feeding has been banned since '99.

 

[jagec]

My scuba diving friends rave about "Biofin" brand fins...apparently quite a bit more effective than regular...I wouldn't know though.