Waylander Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 Simple question really but am confused. Got recommended these but few of the review say these are short fins and so for speed and not snorkelling. Could any of you experts advise? Ideally I might put together kit that I am comfortable with rather than "sets" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 Oh come on, isn't it your first time snorkelling? Just jump in. Breathe. Dip head. Swim. Look. Enjoy. Skip the kit for now. You need a mask with a pipe and a set of flippers. Job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Agree with MrMe here. Just get the minimum you need to enjoy yourself, dont worry about trying to look like a pro because people that have "all the gear and no idea" look worse than beginners just starting out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Exactly. You could jump in and find that you hate it, can't cope with the swell or find it difficult to adapt to the breathing. Don't spend any more than you need to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Fair enough - thanks+++ (although I thought you boys suggested that I DO get fins last time?!:confused:) Plan wasn't to look like a pro (although I understand what you mean) just get some not-completely-crap kit and try to enjoy the experience. Don't want to spend too much as chances would be limited anyway. shite fins seem to sell for a tenner so I thought these for £15 would be a small worthwhile buy. I have found a mask that fits nicely from decathlon, want to get a dry snorkel as I know gulping water would annoy me greatly. All this of course depends on them even lifting the snorkelling ban from the beach/jetty in Sharm by the time I get there! Still in place yet and they seem to have rather weightier issues occupying their time.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Yes, get a pair of flippers/fins, but it isn't going to change whether you actually like it or not. If they're £15 then it's probably a good buy but I've managed for many years and whatever I could get hold of in resort - and then left them there to save luggage space. I've only brought my mask back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Ah okay I see what you mean now. The resort has a dive centre which rents them at E5/day. I wouldn't really want to rent a snorkel so could buy one from there (probably cheaper than getting one from here I suppose). Otherwise just "starter" masks than fits comfortably for the Waylander clan+++ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Fins are more appropriate for snorkeling when you intend to frequently duck dive and want to spend 45 seconds close up to the life underwater. They do increase travel rate x 3 over what God gave you (feet). If you intend to go out on boats, wrecks, or off shore reefs then they will be useful for getting around. It just depends on what you (and yours) call snorkeling. You see plenty of kids and even adults with half float waistcoats on, and all they want is a surface swim with head under. If you get to the point that reefs are in 8-15ft of water, and want to get down then flippers become a necessity. Mask is important, maybe some footwear in shallow standing areas to avoid those horrible black spiky things. I'd just hire them for the day, via the boat or scuba school- they take up far too much room luggage wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 To be honest I think flippers are a necessity even if you're going to stay firmly on the surface. I've been in seas where the swell and tide has been strong enough to stop me being able to swim out of it without the aid of flippers - in fact even when using them it can come as a major surprise how far you can be taken with a bad tide. In Mauritius I was snorkelling in about 5 metres above a reef when the swell of the inner reef tide took me about 30-40 metres in seconds. Without flippers I would have been knackered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Thanks for all the perspectives in this thread - very helpful. Basically what me and mine call snorkeling is an abstract term atm having never done it although I do envision wanting to duck-dive and seeing the reef and fishies close-up. For the wife/kids it will be surface swimming and looking in. I also agree with the reef shoes Chri5. Have just bought myself a pair and wife is on the case to get them for everyone before we leave. Kids are excited and have seen garish coloured basic kids' snorkels they want - negligible prices and worth it just to feed their enthusiasm. Did take them to try on simple masks as above. I guess if I see a brucey-bargain for some light fins between now and easter I might get me some otherwise will just rent or buy there if required.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 A point to note here is I think you'll be surprised with how little depth you'd have to go to. Most snorkelling trips for beginners will mean you'll see everything from the surface with no issues at all. In places like the DR, Bahamas, Red Sea, Indian Ocean etc the visibility in the shallows is so good it is incredible. I was 2 miles out on the inner reef when I got hit by that swell but I didn't have to go from the surface once - because even in all the turmoil around me from the waves and very 'peaky' reefs from the ocean floor to within a foot of the surface, the water quality was incredible. I wouldn't worry about swimming under for a good while - just enjoy the view and take it all in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 (edited) Aye. This is the house reef of the hotel: and you should probably turn off sound to avoid the cheesy music - what you see from the jetty over the reef: Edited February 24, 2011 by Waylander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 When are you going Waylander? My Mum, Dad, Sister and her kids are going in September so I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences when you get back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 End-Easter; my pleasure. Which hotel they going to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted February 25, 2011 Report Share Posted February 25, 2011 Not sure, will ask them. Not anywhere too fancy I wouldn't have thought as my sister will have 3 toddlers and a newborn by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 (edited) Feeding the fish....That's a bad, bad move.... there's no way you'd get me snorkelling in a place where they've been doing it. Not a chance. It's a fine in Egypt if you do that..... Edited February 27, 2011 by Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 Angel fish go mad for bananas in the Dominican. The silly buggers actively tell people to feed them - all of which is fine until a Trigger sees someone with yellow flippers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted February 27, 2011 Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 Feeding at the surface sends out 'fish in difficulty' alarms too...brings in the predatory ones. Like I say, I wouldn't snorkel where there's been fish feeding, it's just dangerous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted February 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2011 (edited) Just as well the video is 2 years old then! (although I agree with the underlying sentiments) Edited February 27, 2011 by Waylander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted May 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 Just a placeholder for Chri5 until I get my reply sorted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 Some nice Acropora (coral), butterfly fish, chromis (green) and a couple on Anthias hiding down in the reef by the looks of it. Lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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