First time to snorkle

[EOD K9]

Looks like I reserved a bike and some tubes, probably cheaper to do all three, haha. Just asked the wife if she wanted to run the 5k and she laughed even though we run every week. I can't imagine the 5k is too popular, but it does sound like a cool way to check out the island.

It is cheaper to do all three. The 5k is very popular. The last two times we participated it had over 100 people easily. Yes, it is early, but you get up, have some breakfast, and go run. Its nice to get on the island early before most. The run is a good way to see the island. While there are no timing chips involved, there is a clock/timer and everyone gets a Castaway Cay/RunDisney 5k bib.

 

[Ralphlaw]

I snorkeled for the 1st time ever at CC 2 weeks ago, and I wish I was there right now. I'm a terrible swimmer, and was nearly hyperventilating when I started out of fear of death, stings, sharks and (gasp) embarrassment, but it truly was a highlight. Literally, I was out there for nearly an hour, saw Minnie, a treasure chest, a bunch of cannons, and lots of other cool stuff. Mostly though, it's the marine life: colorful fish, anemones, etc . . . Once you leave shore, you have to get past the area of plants which are on a sandbar only a couple feet deep, and then it gets good. this means going out maybe 30 to 50 yards, over the plants, and then it opens up.

The Lifeguards are excellent, the waves are minimal, and even a lead butt like me with a farmboy's fear of "over my head" water considered it a highlight.

Also, there's always a friendly lifeguard walking on the snorkeling beach to answer any questions. One tip, push down on the tip of the inflation tube to blow up your life jacket. I kid you not, I wish I was there right now, and I am a bad bad bad bad swimmer. By the way, there do not appear to be any sharks or stingy creatures. And, yeah, it's about $25 for the full equipment. Definitely rent their flippers because they are heavy and horrible to pack.

 

[Phonedave]

I bring my own gear, just because I have my own gear. Most manufactueres sell travel, or shorty fins. They pack a lot easier.

I like my own gear for two reasons - I know it works, and I know where it has been. I once had a snorkel at the Typhoon Lagoon shark swim, that tasted minty when I used it. "Oh, flavored sanitizer, thats nice" I though. Then I found the wad of gum in the mounthpiece.

Seriously, though, if I did not have my own stuff, and I was only going to go to the free area at CC, I would use the equipment that Disney has for rent. As other have said, it is extremely calm, and the snorkleing is not THAT good that you would need better equipment. Plus you don't have to pack your stuff.

-dave