Comments on: Courage for First Time Hawaii Snorkeling and Confessions from the Chicken of the Sea http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/ Hawaii Travel Guide & Vacation Advice Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:21:36 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: HawaiiVacationGifts http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3990 HawaiiVacationGifts Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:58:23 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3990 Growing up in Honolulu, our family would often go to Hanauma Bay to picnic and snorkel. I still have vivid memories of the fantastic whole new world under water populated by beautiful creatures of all colors and sizes. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go snorkeling, to just take the plunge! Growing up in Honolulu, our family would often go to Hanauma Bay to picnic and snorkel. I still have vivid memories of the fantastic whole new world under water populated by beautiful creatures of all colors and sizes. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go snorkeling, to just take the plunge!

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3913 Sheila Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:30:52 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3913 @ Angie - we have a nice Pentax Optio that's waterproof. It takes better photos than the disposable cameras. It also takes great photos above the water, too. In fact, sometimes that's been the only camera we bring to Hawaii. @ Jim - Thanks for sharing your conffession as well. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is less than comfortable about getting in the water. Did you take a tour or snorkel on your own or both? Do I need to invite you to the HAA (Hawaii Addict Anonymous) meetings? :-) @ Angie – we have a nice Pentax Optio that’s waterproof. It takes better photos than the disposable cameras. It also takes great photos above the water, too. In fact, sometimes that’s been the only camera we bring to Hawaii.
@ Jim – Thanks for sharing your conffession as well. I’m glad I’m not the only one who is less than comfortable about getting in the water. Did you take a tour or snorkel on your own or both?
Do I need to invite you to the HAA (Hawaii Addict Anonymous) meetings? :-)

]]> By: jim http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3911 jim Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:03:23 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3911 I went snorkeling for the first time in Kauai and absolutely loved it. It's amazing how much you can see when the water is so clear and clean, it's a definite must for everyone. I also have a confession, I was extremely scared of the water as a child and I still am initially uncomfortable around it today. That said, having flippers and a snorkel puts me at ease because I know that even if I just float I can still breathe without issue. I think getting comfortable in the water is crucial and snorkeling is a great way to do that. I prefer a tshirt over sunscreen in the water because no matter what the sunscreen always washes away, but that may because I can easily spend hours in the water (turning all pruny!). The first time we went I wore a wet suit because it was off-short and considerably colder but I prefer no wet-suit, don't like the added buoyancy. I'm reliving the snorkeling as I write this... ahhh I miss Hawaii. :) I went snorkeling for the first time in Kauai and absolutely loved it. It’s amazing how much you can see when the water is so clear and clean, it’s a definite must for everyone.

I also have a confession, I was extremely scared of the water as a child and I still am initially uncomfortable around it today. That said, having flippers and a snorkel puts me at ease because I know that even if I just float I can still breathe without issue. I think getting comfortable in the water is crucial and snorkeling is a great way to do that.

I prefer a tshirt over sunscreen in the water because no matter what the sunscreen always washes away, but that may because I can easily spend hours in the water (turning all pruny!). The first time we went I wore a wet suit because it was off-short and considerably colder but I prefer no wet-suit, don’t like the added buoyancy.

I’m reliving the snorkeling as I write this… ahhh I miss Hawaii. :)

]]> By: Angie http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3909 Angie Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:44:48 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3909 We wear short sleeved shorts instead of the sunscreen for that reason. The best disposable underwater camera is Kodak. We've always had good shots from them. BUT if you live near water and it would make sense to invest in an underwater point and shoot, this SeaLife ECOShot is supposed to be a good one! http://www.waterproofcameras.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=SL321 We wear short sleeved shorts instead of the sunscreen for that reason.

The best disposable underwater camera is Kodak. We’ve always had good shots from them. BUT if you live near water and it would make sense to invest in an underwater point and shoot, this SeaLife ECOShot is supposed to be a good one!

http://www.waterproofcameras.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=SL321

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3908 Sheila Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:57:42 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3908 Andy - good points about sunscreen and cameras. I used to be a fan of those waterproof disposable cameras, but it seems like only one or two photos out of 25 turn out decent at all. So, in my opinion, I'd rather just enjoy the scenery without the pressure to capture a photo. There are some studies indicating that sunscreen damages the coral. See this news item from February. http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/02/01/hawaii-vacation-news-roundup-for-february-1st/ Experts say, "Banning sunscreen won’t be necessary, and points out two simple things swimmers can do to reduce their impact on coral: Use sunscreens with physical filters, which reflect instead of absorb ultraviolet radiation; and use eco-friendly chemical sunscreens.” I think zinc oxides fall into that category of “physical filters.” Andy – good points about sunscreen and cameras. I used to be a fan of those waterproof disposable cameras, but it seems like only one or two photos out of 25 turn out decent at all. So, in my opinion, I’d rather just enjoy the scenery without the pressure to capture a photo.

There are some studies indicating that sunscreen damages the coral. See this news item from February. http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/02/01/hawaii-vacation-news-roundup-for-february-1st/ Experts say, “Banning sunscreen won’t be necessary, and points out two simple things swimmers can do to reduce their impact on coral: Use sunscreens with physical filters, which reflect instead of absorb ultraviolet radiation; and use eco-friendly chemical sunscreens.” I think zinc oxides fall into that category of “physical filters.”

]]> By: Andy Beal http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3907 Andy Beal Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:36:11 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/14/first-time-hawaii-snorkel-advice/#comment-3907 Don't forget to wear plenty of sunscreen--especially on your back and shoulders. You might also want to buy a waterproof disposable camera--or waterproof case for your digital camera. Don’t forget to wear plenty of sunscreen–especially on your back and shoulders. You might also want to buy a waterproof disposable camera–or waterproof case for your digital camera.

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