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Our nine-year old son will be learning to snorkel on our Western Caribbean cruise. Any suggestions as to which excursion (or trip on your own) is best for his first time? I'd love for him to have the experience before getting to Castaway Cay so that he can do it again there.
On a sidenote, I noticed on some of the snorkeling excursions that there are warnings for people with asthma. I guess it never dawned on me that breathing through a straw would be problematic for asthmatics. Duh! Does anyone have kids with asthma, and have they dealt with snorkeling okay? (I will, of course, consult our doctor -- I just thought I'd ask for some BTDT advice)
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One thing to watch with snorkeling, especially with younger children and those just starting, is the depth of the water. Many of the tours feature snorkeling at a reef (especially Stingray City in Grand Caymen). While the reef is beautiful, the water will definitely be over a child's head, especially at high tide.
We did the Stingray City Reef Sail & Snorkel while in Grand Caymen. I'm an experienced snorkeler and found it very tiring after about 40 minutes due to the strong current. My DD (age 11 at the time) lasted only a few minutes as found it too hard to coordinate the swimming and the breathing. My father lasted even less - he has breathing problems (not asthma but uses a c-pap machine at night) and found it extremely difficult.
What I would recommend is an excursion based (or starting) on a beach or a sand bar. Two come to mind: the 'Discover Snorkel' excursion on Cozumel (starts on a beach) or the 'Island Tour & Snorkeling with Stingrays' on Grand Caymen (3-6 foot deep sand bar).
Snorkeling is a wonderful way to explore the ocean - so many interesting things you can see and learn about - but it does require patience when learning. You can't just put on a mask and go so you're doing well by planning this out before hand.
Another good idea is to invest in your own equipment. This way you can be assured that it will fit correctly and he'll be comfortable using it. Many come with their own backpack or mesh tote and it doesn't take that much room. It's worth the added cost to have good gear - nothing worse than snorkeling with a leaky mask! As silly as it sounds, you can practice in the tub. Becoming accustomed to the sound of your own breathing thru the snorkel ahead of time really helped my son. Now he's like the proverbial fish in water and can't wait to go back and snorkel on Castaway Cay!
Have fun - I hope he's able to try (and love) snorkeling! And pick up a disposable underwater camera, too!
__________________
Lynn
Yes, I am a Disney Addict... and I'd rather be cruising!.
Lynn gave you some great advice! The only thing I would add is that Castaway Cay snorkeling can be a let down for some people. Visibility is often an issue. But it's a great place to learn to snorkel as you start out in very shallow water and gradually make your way into the deeper parts. I had a blast snorkeling on our last cruise in December but we did not see a whole lot of fish, etc. In fact, they had cancelled the snorkeling excursions that day as visibility was so poor.
I agree with what everyone has said before. You may also consider getting equipment before you go and having him get used to floating face down and breathing at the same time. You might consider looking up some resources online, like what is availble to the boy scouts about this subject. I for, one would not want to pay $$ and find out he can't or won't do an open water dive.
We've not too much advice on where to snorkel but 2nd the idea of having his own snorkel gear that he gets used to BEFORE you venture into open water. We had our 6 year old work with his mask and snorkel in our hot tub alot before we left for Grand Cayman last Oct. When we got out snorkeling in the ocean with his fins on, he just took off! We were floored. Mind you, he wasn't even what we would have called a "swimmer" at the time although he was by the end of the trip! The salt water just makes it so much easier to swim. Now, when he saw his first barracuda, we did have some major issues, until Dad told him: "It's scared of us, it swam away when I swam toward it". Nevermind that Mom had been saying nearly the same thing for 10 minutes!!!
We did do the stingray city/reef tour while there and had no trouble although it was high tide and the water was over his head. Current on the day or in the area we went was fine.
We've not too much advice on where to snorkel but 2nd the idea of having his own snorkel gear that he gets used to BEFORE you venture into open water. We had our 6 year old work with his mask and snorkel in our hot tub alot before we left for Grand Cayman last Oct. When we got out snorkeling in the ocean with his fins on, he just took off! We were floored. Mind you, he wasn't even what we would have called a "swimmer" at the time although he was by the end of the trip! The salt water just makes it so much easier to swim. Now, when he saw his first barracuda, we did have some major issues, until Dad told him: "It's scared of us, it swam away when I swam toward it". Nevermind that Mom had been saying nearly the same thing for 10 minutes!!!
We did do the stingray city/reef tour while there and had no trouble although it was high tide and the water was over his head. Current on the day or in the area we went was fine.
We are taking our first cruise, so we haven't 'done it all' yet but I think they also make everybody wear flotation vests when you snorkel, no matter what your level of experience.
I can't remember if I wore a floation device. The kids did for sure. I got my own gear and gear for my whole family at Sam's Club and BJ's. We love love love snorkeling. Castaway Cay is a good place to learn before you spend $$$ on snorkeling excursions.
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Does anyone have kids with asthma, and have they dealt with snorkeling okay? (I will, of course, consult our doctor -- I just thought I'd ask for some BTDT advice)
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