Rent equipment on ship or at beach?

[southwardbound]

What is best to rent snorkel equipment from your cruise ship or at the area where you are going to be snorkeling?

[Pilot70D]

If you are going to go with a snorkeling tour operator then usually that operator will provide the snorkeling equipment. Furthermore there usually is no extra charge for this equipment.

 

If you're going snorkeling on your own then yes, you will need to rent equipment or provide your own. Usually this will consist of a snorkeling vest, fins, mask and snorkel. Most of the time the gear available from the ship is slightly better equipment than the rental equipment ashore. Please don't misunderstand, there is nothing wrong with the rental equipment you'll find ashore. Usually though this rental equipment will be reasonably sturdy, middle of the road stuff. Rental snorkels though are usually pretty simple and you can do much better.

 

Let me make this recommendation. Buy your own mask and your own snorkel for each of you that will be snorkeling. There are few things worse than having a mask that leaks or one that doesn't fit properly. Furthermore if anyone in your party wears glasses (like I do) then you can get diopter corrective lenses for their masks at a very reasonable price. I would also buy any one of the reasonably priced dry snorkels that are available. Theree is no such thing as a completely dry snorkel however the so callled dry snorkels are a vast improvement over a plain 'J' shaped tube with a mouthpiece which is what most rental snorkels are.

 

Having your own basic equipment can go a long way towards making your snorkeling expedition a fun one and one that you'll want to repeat. Fortunately neither a mask or a snorkel takes up a lot of room in your luggage. If you need or would like a specific recommendation about this equipment feel free to sendd me an email at pilot70d@yahoo.com. I do not sell equipment but both the War Departmernt (aka Mrs. B) and I do a lot of diving and snorkeling. We have bought and tried tried several different sets of equipment over time.

 

Hope this info is helful to you.