Two similar yet different (and fun) experiences. I’m no expert at either diving OR snorkeling but I’ve been fortunate enough to experience both (in St. Thomas and St. John on the Virgin Islands) this week and I’d like to expand on these two arenas.
Snorkeling
Less equipment, only a mask and snorkel get you going but a pair of fins really adds to the enjoyment. Snorkeling is best enjoyed near shore and in 0-30 feet of water. Another bonus is to have a thin “skin” or rash guard to protect you from the sun’s rays when you are in such places where you have to worry about the sun’s rays. (ie, not in Lake Superior)
My favorite part about snorkeling is that you don’t have to put on crazy equipment to keep you in business, you only go as far down as you are comfortable (and can hold your breath). A lot of aquatic life exists sub 30 feet and it makes for a fun and exciting experience. With snorkeling there is less to remember–no pesky dive charts or nitrogen narcosis to worry about.
What Did We See in the Virgin Islands?
- Lots o small-medium fish!
- grouper
- tarpin
- ballyhoo
- a yellow bucket
Jason flying through a school of fish!
Diving
Diving offers you access to marine life at deeper depths and in addition to a mask and fins, you also strap on a buoyancy control device (BCD) and your oxygen tank. With those two items comes extra gauges, bells, whistles, and whosawhatsits. My personal approach to diving is with precaution. It can be a little unsettling to put faith in oftentimes rented equipment and go down 30-80 feet below the surface of a body of water. Still, the experience can be totally worth it!
Diving in the Virgin Islands
We dove at Coki Beach on the island of St. Thomas with the Coki Beach Dive Shop on a less than ideal day with spurts of sunshine and a higher surf. Overall, this didn’t ruin our dive at all but visibility was lower than a few days before when we snorkeled at Coki. The staff at the dive shop were very friendly, informative, and their prices were INSANELY reasonable compared to a few other shops we checked out. The price difference for the rental equipment was the main reason we decided to dive at Coki.
I must admit, the best part of Coki Beach is how the mix of tourists and locals melds both on the drive to Coki and once you are there. I was nervous at first thinking that the kind people who helped us park our car and offered to take us down to the beach (while also offering beach chair rentals and other beach items) were going to be pushy but surprisingly, they were just out to help–with a side of advertising. Refreshing compared to “those who want to help” in my European adventures. Ultimately, that was the overall experience with the locals during our time in the Virgin Islands.
