Snorkeling

[shewasmyshadow]

So, you might know that my husband and I are heading to Cancun in September. It'll be our 5 yr wedding anniversary!! We'll be staying in Playa del Carmen for a few days and we're wondering about snorkeling. Neither of us have ever been to this type of water, so never been snorkeling. We're wondering how easy it is and if you can do it right off the shoreline? We're wondering if it would be worth it to buy snorkel gear and bring it with us? Is it something you could learn without instruction? Is it something you could just do by yourself? Would it fun just to putz around with?

Oh, and what about these little short surf boards I'm seeing in videos of ocean beaches? Anyone ever tried one? Are they called Boogie boards? Are they easy?

We're just looking for stuff we can do at our leisure. We didn't really want to go on a guided thing.

[cheval]

Boogie boards are really easy and so much fun. I didn't like snorkeling. I went to Haunama Bay in Oahu and snorkeled and I'm a bit clausterphobic so the idea of the mask on my face freaked me out. That didn't matter to the fish. The came to me as I floated up on top of the water wanting their frozen peas. It's wicked because you could hear the parrotfish eating on the coral under the water.

Nom. Nom. Nom.

[shewasmyshadow]

Well, I did swimming for years with a regular pair of goggles. Didn't bother me. Maybe I would be okay with it. My fear is I won't be able to learn to breath through the snorkel thingy.

[cheval]

If you have a quick lesson, it's not so bad. But trying it on your own I wouldn't recommend. I did the lesson and still freaked. I just didn't like all that stuff attached to my face and I was sure the water was going to get into the tube while I was way down there!

[quest]

I lived on Maui for 15 years, so I did my fair share of snorkeling and we always had a boogey board :) Snorkeling you can definetely do right off shore, the best places to go are near reefs, You can find the best areas by asking around or doing your research first, you can also take boat trips out to go snorkeling as well, but of course it will cost you more. Snorkeling is easy and you can use fins if you want to as well. Boogey boards are great fun! Just catch the wave and let it bring you into shore :) They generally aren't too expensive and you can get the cheapo ones just for your visit. Snorkeling gear might be cheaper there (or more expensive), im not sure, i'm guessing a place like cancoon they would be easy to find as well.

[cowboyup3371]

I snorkeled and dove while stationed in Guam. It is something you can do off the shore and can rent the equipment from local shops. Course, I'm always partial to having my own equipment anyway.

Here's one of the few pictures I have from my diving days.

[shewasmyshadow]

Do you think we'd have more fun snorkeling or boogie boarding? And how would we get a boogie board there? Carry it on the plane?

[Ranger44]

I purchased my own equipment before we went to Australia and I wouldn't do it again. It takes up a lot of room and is a pain to carry around especially if you will only use it a couple of times. I rented equipment in the Virgin Islands and it was fine. As stated above reefs are where you will find the most interesting fish. A little research online should tell you where you need to go for good snorkeling. In good areas you will be able to walk right in from the shore.

Breathing is pretty easy unless you are claustorphobic like cheval. In many places you can just float on the surface and see some pretty neat fish. With a little practice you can dive a little and see even more. If you don't want to dive and want to go the leisurely way you can use a life vest and just float around on top and look all over.

[quest]

You would definetely have to buy the boogey board there unless you want to pay loads of money to take it on the plane (most likely scenario). As for which one is more fun. I would do them both. Boogey boarding is great if you want to stay at shore break and snorkeling great if you want to go out a little farther.

[Equine_Woman]

Snorkeling is second nature to me, I didn't have any problems learning to breath through the snorkel. It's a lot of fun! Be sure and take life jackets though so you don't have to worry about going under. It makes it a lot more relaxing!! Once again I recommend going to Xcaret and floating the rivers. You can snorkel in them and it's a lot of fun, plus they have ocean pools with fish that you can snorkel in with no waves. Lots of fun!

[quest]

Oh, but going under is half the fun!! And going "Tu!" to get the water out of your snorkel when you resurface :) (make sure you clear your snorkel real well though, it's no fun swallowing gallons of seawater)

[shewasmyshadow]

*giggling at everyone's replies* Okay this is going to sound really dumb, but I'm a scaredy cat, so I have to ask... If we went on the river will there be alligators or crocodiles?? :o

[quest]

What river? There probably won't be as many cool fish in a river

[Vegashorselady]

I'm giggling a little at your description of a boogie board.:p I grew up in San Diego and playing on the beach was a favorite family outing, it's funny to hear someone who's not from "Beach Country" talk about this stuff.

I think you'd have fun boogie boarding. I went snorkling in the Cayman Islands with the sting rays once and it was a lot of fun. There was the cutest little five year old boy out there with his parents and he was a pro at it in no time.

If you guys are on one of the rivers with a guide I'm sure they'll make sure no crocodiles will get you but they do have them down there.

[shewasmyshadow]

Okay, no rivers for me. :o I will be going there for white sand and crystal clear ocean water. We've got two full days there (besides the 2 days which will be 1/2 traveling) and I expect to spend every waking moment swimming in the water or sunbathing on the beach. I already started my flat belly diet thing, so by the time I get there I should look respectable enough to lay out. :D I was just looking for something fun for my hubby and I to try. He wanted to surf and I suggested the boogie boarding because he barely knows how to swim. :rolleyes: I'm the one who knows how to swim, but he just has an aggressive doggie paddle.