Beginner Snorkeler Suggestions

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"follow this link where you will find written a series of articles to assist you in improving your snorkeling skills. Whether it is to help you on how to use your snorkeling equipment or how to equalize your ears during descents, the tips and techniques found within these articles will help you to improve your snorkeling skills to fulfill your every snorkeling adventure"

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“ beginner snorkeler suggestions? ”

I am camping at cinnamon bay with a friend who is not a natural in the water- and has fears that they hope and plan to overcome in order to enjoy the marine life and learn snorkeling.

What are you suggestions for the first places to snorkel for them to build confidence.

I plan to build up during the week to some of the more exciting places, that might be a little more of a strong swimmer situation.

It scares this swimmer to be away from a place to put their feet down -

any suggestions?

Thanks Kathleen

1. Re: beginner snorkeler suggestions?

I have two suggestions. Purchase a snorkel vest or snorkel belt to help build confidence.

Start out on calm water. Some of the people that live on island can make suggestions.

Maho, Cinnamon and Trunk Bay are good starts. It depends when you are going. Sometimes those beaches on the north shore have surf. Depending on the winds.

Someone will jump in here and make some suggestions.

Good Luck

2. Re:

I think there are 2 things that are very important to me, even though we've snorkeled for a long time in a lot of places.

You have to relax!!! That's the only way you're going to have a good day snorkeling. If there's a vest or even a noodle to hang onto, then that's ok, but you really need that.

Also, flippers are necessary if you're going anywhere over your head.

Second....stick with that person and offer your assistance. I don't think anyone should snorkel alone.

3. Re:

Talk to Crabby in Coral Bay. He is a gentleman and knows the island well. He has snorkel vests and all other sorts of gear.

For calm water and good scenery there are a lot of good places.

Salt Pond is nice, Lamshur has more fish, but a nice place to start that isn't too hard to get in and out of is Vie's beach.

Again, talk to Crabby! His place is right on the bay in Coral Bay!

Win

4. Re:

The best "beginner" beach is big maho.

Flat calm beach........enter at the east end.

Float around a bit in shallow water along the rocks and then go around the point till you see little maho and back.

Excellent spot for a variety of things. I've seen turtle, eel, puffers, queen angel, french angel, grunts, octopus etc etc.....

enjoy.

5. Re:

I'd start the snorkel lesson right at Cinnamon. Just walk out into the water up to your waist, put on the gear and take a lot of time just getting a feel for the mechanics of snorkeling.

Let your friend get comfortable with breathing and floating in shallow water. Make sure the mask is a good fit. Maybe practice floating on your back with mask off to rest.

Most folks begin to realize that they float, but if it really seems to freak out your friend, don't hesitate to rent a vest or belt or a noodle. Cinnamon rents some gear, but I don't know if they have flotation aids. Places in town would---Low Key is good in Cruz Bay.

Either Big Maho or Francis are nice beaches to start off. At both you can gradually work your way out along the right side.

6. Re:

St John is all about the water. St John is also expensive.

Because most of the cost is already "sunk" - buying a good mask that fits and a good snorkel that won't let water in, is a relatively modest investment in the vacation.

I always use a blow up life vest. It lets me concentrate on the fish rather than where I'm going to get my next breath.

I agree that fins are also a must. The snorkel trail at Trunk has a lifeguard (also one in the water). That's where I would start.

7. Re:

Every time I enter Big Maho @ the eastern end, I run into the same big barracuda, just hanging there in the water.

Maybe a beginning snorkeler wouldn't want that to be their first underwater view????

8. Re:

I think it's worth noting, and stressing to your friend, that the high salinity of the water in the Caribbean makes it exceptionally buoyant. You will float far more easily than in fresh or less-salty water.

Cinnamon Bay (around the island) is my very favorite place to snorkel, but you will usually find the water much calmer at Maho.

There's a lot of shallow area at both beaches (though generally there's more interesting snorkeling in deeper water), so there won't be a problem practicing without getting in over one's head.

I think Maho stays shallow farther out than Cinnamon, but I could be wrong about that.

9. Re: beginner snorkeler suggestions?

wow what a great list of suggestions

I can't wait !

thanks so much.

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