Anyone here into snorkelling/diving? Come inside if so!

[purbeast0]

Since I can never think of stuff for my wife to get me for xmas, I think I'm going to tell her to get me some snorkel gear.

I don't live anywhere where I can snorkel regularly, but whe I go on vacation that is my #1 thing to do. 1/2 the time I go it seems that places don't have fins for their snorkel excursions.

When I was in Maui on our honeymoon last year, I rented some gear for a week, which was like $25 or something, and I used it almost daily. There were tons of places to just go off the shore and snorkel and a lot to see. Their equipment was pretty decent.

But I think I would like to have my own to just take anywhere.

Thing is, I don't know anything about what is considered good when it comes to snorkelling.

I am just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on some good fins, masks, and snorkel that they would recommend.

I definitely like the longer fins because it makes swimming easier, but I also know some of the really long ones are for scuba diving.

Anyone have any suggestions?

EDIT: 2/18/10

Well I am placing my order today and here is the stuff I am purchasing.

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/TBTF8L.html
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CSBMB.html
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/AERSB.html
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/BLRMBDL.html
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/TBTS23.html

and I am getting this for my wife

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/TBTFF9.html
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/MRSMVZ.html
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/UDRSIDF.html
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/XSSBMF.html

Here is a pic of my stuff!

now i can't wait to go on my trip and use it! it's about 4 weeks away...

One question...

The shoes I got, when I walk around the house they don't feel really tight against me, the back portion of them kind of slides up a little bit. I got a size 10 and I wear 10.5, but I wasnt sure if these will be "tighter" once they get wet. Is this how they are supposed to be or should I return them and get size 9?

 

[drlucky]

the really long fins are usually used for competitive free diving. the split fin design is pretty nice as it reduces leg fatigue. imo you will definitely want to go with adjustable fins and boots rather than the full foot fins.

http://www.scubapro.com/americas/english/scubapro-products/fins/split-fins/twin-jet-max---adjustable

as for masks i like masks with black sides it seems to bring out the colors better

http://www.scubapro.com/americas/english/scubapro-products/masks/masks/solara-mask

i dont really have a preference on snorkels all they need to do is not leak and im happy but anything made by scuba pro is good quality

http://www.scubapro.com/americas/english/scubapro-products/snorkels/snorkels/spectra-snorkel

 

[OCGuy]

I just went snorkeling in Maui at molakini (sp) and "turtle town" with the big sea turtles. Was a lot more fun than I expected.

 

[I Saw OJ]

I agree with drlucky, anything by scubapro will be a good product. Most of my diving equipment is scubapro and its really served me well.

 

[purbeast0]

I just went snorkeling in Maui at molakini (sp) and "turtle town" with the big sea turtles. Was a lot more fun than I expected.

i went there as well when we went, molokini is the clearest watver i've ever been in. it was amazing there. i found myself chasing a bunch of fish and saw tons of eels as well. those are some freaky looking things.

i wasn't impressed with turtle town, the water was too murky but I saw quite a few turtles.

where were staying right near black rock there were turtles right in the water there. i have some really awesome pics of them but not with me right now.

thanks for the tips about scuba pro. and about the black masks, do you mean that the black lining around the mask helps bring out the colors when you are snorkelling? i never even though about that.

 

[purbeast0]

also, is there any pros/cons to getting masks that dont have 1 open eye area, as oppose to the one you linked up above, that has 2 seperate eye areas (like 2 pieces of plsatic instead of just 1 big one that goes accross both eyes) ?

 

[SAWYER]

I have never dived/snorkeled but our neighbors own a dive shop and my son wants to learn. They told us when he is 10 he can take classes. So we will take them together in two years, I can't wait.

 

[SAWYER]

I just went snorkeling in Maui at molakini (sp) and "turtle town" with the big sea turtles. Was a lot more fun than I expected.

pics?

 

[spidey07]

Make sure you try on your mask and make sure it fits and maintains a good seal.

Fins - do you want booties or just simple ones that slip over your feet? I'd get booties that way you can walk over rock/coral. Fin design and size are a personal preference. I use my dive fins when I snorkel. They are the big frog fins and are quite large, but they allow me to go very deep snorkeling - 40+ feet because I've got the extra fin power.

Some people like the split fins, I don't.

And if you like snorkeling go ahead and take a scuba class and get certified. If you have any intention of diving then get diving gear like I described and not snorkel gear. You'll need it for the class - mask, fins, snorkel.

The newer dive masks are really nice and I'll probably get one. The mask size/glass is much larger and gives you a better field of vision, so take that into account when trying on masks. Try on a lot of them because getting one that fits perfect is very important.

 

[purbeast0]

spidey what don't you like about the split fins? i've never used em, only the solid ones.

i will probably get the bootie type of fins for the reasons you are mentioning about walking on stuff.

 

[SAWYER]

We have a couple huge lakes around here that people scuba in a lot. A town was flooded to make a damn and there are all kinds of stuff to check out, but that is probably for more advanced divers I would imagine.

 

[spidey07]

spidey what don't you like about the split fins? i've never used em, only the solid ones.

i will probably get the bootie type of fins for the reasons you are mentioning about walking on stuff.

I don't feel like I have a really strong kick with them. Plus my legs are pretty strong/big so I don't really have a problem with the larger fins. To be fair it's the biggest fin advancement in a very long time.

Then ask any serious diver, there is a saying "You ever see a divemaster with split fins?"

This is the mask style I was talking about...
http://www.scubapro.com/americas/english/scubapro-products/masks/masks/orbit

 

[K1052]

I'd probably pop for a 1mm wetsuit if you're going to be spending a lot of time in the water, even in warmer areas.

 

[purbeast0]

thanks for these suggestions guys.

are there any B&M chain stores that sell this scuba pro stuff?

i live in maryland and just am not sure if there are any dive stores around or not, but i'm going to search.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

purbeast i thought you already got scuba certified?

anyways, when i got my certification we were requried to buy our own mask fins and snorkel. i def recommend the booties + fin combo, and go ahead and get the stiffer scuba fins. you can use them for snorkeling too, but you cant use the flimsly snorkel fins for scuba.

my gear comes with me on all my trips, and i have definitely used it for snorkeling more than scuba. well worth getting good equipment

for masks, just go to your local scuba shop and try them on. too much personal preference involved.

 

[purbeast0]

well i am not sure if i can scuba or not because i have asthma.

when i was in hawaii i was talking to a dive instructor about it and he said the safest bet is to not snorkel until i go to a doctor who can run tests on me to see if i can withstand scuba diving or not.

i really really want to try scuba diving, but i will admit, i am kind of scared to because i have asthma. and i enjoy snorkelling a lot, but i know i would love scuba just as much.

 

[wwswimming]

Anyone have any suggestions?

get a knife, the kind you wear on your ankle with a strap carrying case etc. underwater diving knife.

in case you get caught in fishing line.

the person who gave me the advice would not have been alive to give me the advice if he didn't dive with a knife. he got caught in fishing line - while he was holding his breath - and had to cut himself free.

 

[drlucky]

yes i was talking about the black seal around the lenses. to me it seems to block some of the light and give me better focus on what i am looking at. i have both framed and frameless masks but the frameless masks tend to hurt my forehead on deep dives.

as far as the split fin conversation i have both split fin and regular fins and to tell you the truth both are equally good for propulsion in the water. i regularly free dive with my split fins easily hitting depths of 70 to 80 ft. the split fins are just easier on my legs and i dont tire as quickly. for the "do you ever see dive masters wearing split fins" yes actually i have seen several. most of the nah saying dive masters are older guys who dont like change.

most any brick and mortar dive shop will carry scuba pro gear.

 

[DrPizza]

Make sure you try on your mask and make sure it fits and maintains a good seal.

Definitely - just don't purchase a mask for your wife without her trying it on first. You want a mask that fits your face well, otherwise it will end up leaking.

 

[K1052]

well i am not sure if i can scuba or not because i have asthma.

when i was in hawaii i was talking to a dive instructor about it and he said the safest bet is to not snorkel until i go to a doctor who can run tests on me to see if i can withstand scuba diving or not.

i really really want to try scuba diving, but i will admit, i am kind of scared to because i have asthma. and i enjoy snorkelling a lot, but i know i would love scuba just as much.

no, you'll love scuba more

I had a bad cold when I went to Hawaii earlier this year and was unable to dive so I just did some shallow snorkeling....it majorly sucks in comparison.

 

[Jeeebus]

I got spoiled big time in the French Polynesia islands like Tahiti and Bora Bora. Clearest water and nicest coral I have ever really seen. Amazing for either snorkeling or diving. Kinda makes Caribbean trips disappointing afterward.

 

[SearchMaster]

Yeah, scuba >>>>>>>>>> snorkeling. Get certified, it's worth it. I don't dive very often, but I don't regret getting the cert.

 

[purbeast0]

yea Tahiti and Bora Bora are on my list to do at some point but not till i can afford it w/out worrying about spending the $$ heh.

i've snorkeled in a few places - aruba, nicaragua (corn island), maui, cancun, and florida.

florida was laughable where we did it. it was when i went to stay in st. petersburg and there was some snorkel trip that went to this island where some spanish war was faught. it was terrible but amusing at how bad the snorkelling was there. we snorkelled for like 5 minutes and were like ok this sucks, and went to explore the island.

all of the others were decent, but where i snorkelled on corn island was not really a snorkel spot and was kind of tough to go out of, but it was cool regardless and i saw a stingray.

 

[corwin]

SCUBA is awesome, just got back from a week on the AquaCat in the Bahamas, 5 1/2 days of non-stop diving Can't wait to be in Hawaii in 3 weeks...

For equipment your mask is a personal preference for fit, but ones with clear sides give you more peripheral vision, frequently something will be happening to your side and you might miss it with a mask that only has front lenses, the Deep See Outlook is what I use. For fins I love my AquaLung Slingshot's, you can adjust the tension for an easier kick or more propulsion. For actual snorkeling the AquaLung Impulse are some of the best around, they do a great job of keeping water out of the tube, even for shallow dives.

 

[drlucky]

nice