Times Prince Posted February 9, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Looking at RCCL website and see every Roatan snorkeling excursion has a 240 lb limit, even snorkeling from shore . Does anyone know why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted February 9, 2017 #2 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Most weight limits for snorkeling are due to buoyancy of snorkel vests. Snorkel vests are required on ship excursions and many private excursions for liability purposes. You might look into purchasing your own snorkel vest that both fits and is rated to float people who weight more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2000 Posted February 9, 2017 #3 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Looking at RCCL website and see every Roatan snorkeling excursion has a 240 lb limit, even snorkeling from shore . Does anyone know why? Crewsweeper gives good info I didn't know, thank you for the education. Additionally, getting in and out of boats as a fluffy person maybe part of the limit. I offer the alternative of going to Tabyana and snorkling on your own. This thread has heaps of info about snorkling West Bay, where Tabyana is located. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaPA1 Posted February 9, 2017 #4 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I have to think it's more due to 1) safety issues of getting back on the boat (climbing a boat ladder, in possibly choppy waters, isn't simple - especially for someone not physically fit); and 2) proper fitting of the vests. I don't think it's a buoyancy issue - everything I've ever seen, read or heard in swimming/snorkeling/scuba diving training, indicates that "fluffy" = more buoyant. I know in scuba diving those who are heavy-set require much more weight on a weight belt to be able to sink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Times Prince Posted February 9, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Most weight limits for snorkeling are due to buoyancy of snorkel vests. Snorkel vests are required on ship excursions and many private excursions for liability purposes. You might look into purchasing your own snorkel vest that both fits and is rated to float people who weight more.Thanks - we are long time snorkelers and have our own equipment, including vests and Rx masks. Bought them from a PADI registered dive shop in Austin TX, and the vests match our weights. Last time we were in Mahogany Bay in Roatan we spent a lot of time just floating without any snorkel vest, so we know we are buoyant. Crewsweeper gives good info I didn't know, thank you for the education. Additionally, getting in and out of boats as a fluffy person maybe part of the limit. I offer the alternative of going to Tabyana and snorkling on your own. This thread has heaps of info about snorkling West Bay, where Tabyana is located. We understand that some snorkeling boats may have flimsy ladders, and have looked carefully before booking. The issue that I see with Roatan is that the same 240lb limit applies to a SHORE snorkel as well. No limits in other ports, which led me to question what is going on. We often snorkel on our own, but noted the RCCL ship's excursions had the weight limit, even for Tabyana. Thanks for the link - I'll check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2000 Posted February 9, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Thanks - we are long time snorkelers and have our own equipment, including vests and Rx masks. Bought them from a PADI registered dive shop in Austin TX, and the vests match our weights. Last time we were in Mahogany Bay in Roatan we spent a lot of time just floating without any snorkel vest, so we know we are buoyant. We understand that some snorkeling boats may have flimsy ladders, and have looked carefully before booking. The issue that I see with Roatan is that the same 240lb limit applies to a SHORE snorkel as well. No limits in other ports, which led me to question what is going on. We often snorkel on our own, but noted the RCCL ship's excursions had the weight limit, even for Tabyana. Thanks for the link - I'll check it out. Tabyana is on West Bay Beach, the beach is public as is the water, unless you feel the need to do a snorkle tour with the Tabyana people there is no way they can stop you from walking in the water to snorkle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James_Elmore Posted March 6, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 6, 2017 I dare say someone 240 isn't necessarily unfit if your 5' nothing maybe but if your well over 6' that's not fluffy Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st3ph888 Posted March 28, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Many times, I've seen weight limits for activities on cruises- but I've never actually seen them enforced. Even on excursions where weight seems like it would matter - zip lining/horseback riding/etc.. It's not like there is a scale to step on before going out. Since it sounds like you've done quite a bit of snorkeling I'd chalk the fine print up to an insurance/liability thing, book the excursion, and go enjoy myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonvine Posted March 29, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 29, 2017 Thanks - we are long time snorkelers and have our own equipment, including vests and Rx masks. Bought them from a PADI registered dive shop in Austin TX, and the vests match our weights. Last time we were in Mahogany Bay in Roatan we spent a lot of time just floating without any snorkel vest, so we know we are buoyant. We understand that some snorkeling boats may have flimsy ladders, and have looked carefully before booking. The issue that I see with Roatan is that the same 240lb limit applies to a SHORE snorkel as well. No limits in other ports, which led me to question what is going on. We often snorkel on our own, but noted the RCCL ship's excursions had the weight limit, even for Tabyana. Thanks for the link - I'll check it out. I just wouldn't do the ship excursion. I did a Discover SCUBA in Cozumel through Eagle Ray and weighed more than that. You could always contact RCCL and ask why the limit applies only to Roatan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
44Days Posted March 31, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 31, 2017 I'm 350+ lbs. I had no problem snorkeling. (Granted I am an athlete, or at least ex athlete...so I'm more of a Shaw body than a sumo wrestler body, but still). My advice as I posted in the other thread is rent from the dive shop adjacent to the Tabyana Beach ($10 for mask, flippers, snorkel, and vest). They will also go out with you with a life preserver if you ask or even tow you out on a canoe. I didn't need that because I'm an excellent swimmer, but my wife took them up on it. I'm going to get more videos up soon, but here's the first I uploaded from our March 15th visit. Do not let your weight worry you. First of all, because of how close the reef is to shore, it's not an issue of swimming. Obviously be careful, be decent. But you're never too far from being able to put a foot down on the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volk904 Posted April 5, 2017 #11 Share Posted April 5, 2017 We went to West Beach. A guy walked but looking for people to take out to the nervy reef to Snorkel. One of my best snorkels ever. Not very expensive either. Like other have said some excursions add the weight limit over the vests. I am a 300 Lb guy who loves to Snorkel. I bought my own XL size vest from scuba.com. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted April 5, 2017 #12 Share Posted April 5, 2017 We went to West Beach. A guy walked but looking for people to take out to the nervy reef to Snorkel. One of my best snorkels ever. Not very expensive either. Like other have said some excursions add the weight limit over the vests. I am a 300 Lb guy who loves to Snorkel. I bought my own XL size vest from scuba.com. Sent from my iPad using Forums I agree that if you are at West Bay beaches hiring one of the small boats to take you further out or up to West End reefs is definitely the way to go. I think it's the cruise lines liability concerns that drive the weight restrictions along with the fact that most small snorkeling excursion vendors don't stock larger vests. needed to properly fit folks over 240 lb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Times Prince Posted April 6, 2017 Author #13 Share Posted April 6, 2017 I am in the 275 range and have a properly sized snorkel vest bought at a dive shop. Sometime after my starting this thread they removed the stupid weight limit for shore snorkeling exclusions. Thanks all for the suggestions. we've never been to Tabyana, but might give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Times Prince Posted April 24, 2017 Author #14 Share Posted April 24, 2017 The excursion continues to be confusing... Now, with three weeks to go, this excursion in Costa Maya for a shore snorkel at Beach Escape Beach Club is now only available to book onboard ship - and the 240 lb weight limit is back. All for $62/person, and you have to make your own way back to the ship. What a bargain.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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