Unless you are going to snorkel for just a day or 2 I would suggest bringing your own stuff. That way you can make sure you get a mask that really fits you. Go to a knowledgable dive shop and have them help you. There are shells on the beach but I understand that you are not allowed to remove them from the VI. Yes, people live on the east end but it is much less inhabited and less touristy. There aren't really good beaches on the east end but some great snorkeling. As far as Waterlemon, yes you can stop and rest on the cay. Great snorkel and really not that difficult. My 5 year old did it last week. Have a great time!

Hello,

Agree with Dale, if you are snorkeling often get your own gear. If you choose not to but plan to snorkel often then you can rent a set for a few days/week from the Cruz Bay dive shop.

Yes there are shells. No you can't take them; the National Park doesn't allow it and the VI doesn't allow it either. If customs finds them when you are checking through at the airport they are confiscated. You can buy shells (from other places, souvenir type shells) from stores... keeping the receipt with the bought shells is a good idea.

If you walk out to the point and swim out from there to the cay the swim is shorter then starting on the beach. You can take a break on the cay if you are at the front part where its shallower and sandy, the back is rocky.

--Islander

Thanks for the good advice. We will have 2 pre-teens that swim well. Should we carry flotation devices, lifejackets, a snorkle vest...things like that. Has anyone had a good experience using a digital camera underwater with one of the Vac-Packs? Or should I plan to just get some disposable underwater cameras?

In addition to what you read above- the snorkling is by far the most wonderful thing I've ever done at St John, its the best!!! Bring or rent swimmers belts ( highly recommend these over the stupid vests which are bulky and uncomfortable) for those of you (like me) who are bad swimmers. This way you are stress free and get to truly relax- plus, the water magnifies the undersea world and at least initially you'll think you're in about 10 feet plus deep water when its really only under 5 feet usually. Yes, bring your own well fitted equip, once hooked, you'll use it over and over again there and you'll want to come back (no place compares to the VI for snorkling). We brought our kids as preteens, both good swimmers and they loved it. Also, wear tshirts and/or wear lots of waterproof sunscreen as you float on top and risk sunburns which will ruin future trips.

You can get "snorkel vests" for you children at your local dive shop or at many of the "big" sporting goods stores. They are inflatible so they take up little room in your luggage and they are very lightweight and easy to use - they give added bouyancy without restricting your swimming ability - they work better than the "swimmers belts". Personal Flotation Devices or Life Vests are also good but as Karrie pointed out they are bulky and can be uncomfortable and they take up more room in your luggage.

To clarify, we have found in various Carib island locations that the only vest I can rent is one of these larger vests just mentioned, frequently in ratty shape, not one of the nicer little ones you can buy. That's why I suggested the belt as they're just a wrap of whatever that stuff is and it doesn't get near your snorkle mouth piece. I'm a crummy, nervous swimmer and found that the belts work just fine so if that's what they have, you'll be fine too in my opinion, just try to avoid the large full vests as the chest part rides up right into your mouthpiece and is uncomfortable. I get obsessed with this as the snorkling is so fabulous I'd hate to see a non or crummy swimmer miss out because they don't know to rent some kind of floating device.

Thanks for the advise. I have been concerned about the amount of space that things will take while packing.

I have heard that there are sand fleas all over, and that we won't be able to be on the sand a lot. We usually unwind by building sandcastles. Are the beaches all really sandflea infested?

"No-see-ums" are not really a problem through the day. They tend to be an issue in shady areas, during lulls in tradewind breezes or at dusk.
Like anywhere else, some beaches/areas are worse than others. Use a good bug spray and you should not have a problem.

You asked about experiences using a digital camera with a "vac-pack". I bought this UK made product called the AquaPac. Google it and it will pop up if you are curious. Didnt want to spend the $200 for the UW housing that fits my Canon digicam.

This is actually a pretty well engineered waterproof plastic bag that I tested for water tightness before I left but was unable to test for true functionality like in a pool or something.

First off, I didn’t have enough silica dessicant packs in the bag and the Canon is apparently very sensitive to the extra humidity created in the enclosure and kept shutting down.

Second, even though the Canon has an LCD screen that swivels out from the camera at various angles, I was pretty much unable to use it to see what I was framing.

Thirdly, the bag seemed to play tricks with the lens and auto focus and I had troubles with exposures, tried different ISO settings, white balance, etc.

It finally dawned on me the last day at Secret Harbour to try my older 2mp Kodak digicam that I let my daughter use and that worked better. Wish I had tried it earlier at the Indians and Waterlemon.

Therefore my underwater photography efforts were disapointing. This was quite frustrating considering the UW photo ops I had in STJ, the BVIs, and at Secret Harbour.

Makes you appreciate the skills and tools needed to do good specialized work like underwater or sports photography. You know what I mean if you’ve ever tried to take pictures of your kid’s soccer or baseball games and wanted to get results that even remotely approach stuff you see in the paper or magazine.