Kona Hawaii Dream Vacation
Let's Go Snorkeling!!!
A few tips...
I am not an expert, however, these are a few things I wish I had known the first time I went to "Snorkel Bob's" to rent snorkel gear.
Get the snorkel with a purge valve...it allows the ocean water to automatically drain out i.e. when a wave washes over you, your companion splashes you or you do a less than Olympic style swim move and get water in it all by yourself! If you do not get the purge valve kind the water goes right in your mouth through the tube you were trying to breathe out of.
This type of snorkel usually cost a little extra in rental or purchase fees. This extra cost will make your snorkeling experience much more enjoyable.
Make sure your mask fits you properly. Yes, it takes a little extra time, but again your snorkel time will be much more fun. Move all of your hair out of the way and adjust the straps to fit tightly against your face without making deep creases. Try on different ones to find the best fit. You do not want to be all poised to take your sea turtle or parrot fish picture and suddenly have salt water in your eyes!
Do you wear prescription eye glasses? See if you can rent a mask to match your prescription. This might make snorkeling easier for you without the worry or glasses or contacts. You want to see the pretty fish and coral as clearly as possible.
Fins...there are basically two kinds...some with straps and some without! The full foot kind fit more like a shoe and are generally lighter and more flexible. The advantage of the adjustable strap kind is you can wear neoprene booties to protect your feet from jagged coral or sharp objects in the sand. Try on both kinds and see what appeals to you.
Get one of those laminated cards with the fish pictures and names to help identify all the cool fish to see. These are great to identify the fish in your photos when you get home. You can also put them in your scrapbook or vacation treasures box.
Keep reading...the information continues in the next module. 2500 words was not enough!
Underwater cameras to capture your snorkeling adventure!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand bySnorkeling info continued...
Choose a safe place to snorkel. Being swept out to sea could ruin your vacation! Check with your hotel, local dive shops and fellow travelers for the best spots. Read your guide book for a list of great snorkel beaches. Some beaches have life guards on duty. Obey the signs, many beaches have signs stating what part of the beach is safe and what part is not safe. Now that you are afraid of the water, let's talk about the good part...Start in the shallow water...do not jump into forty feet of water to start. Stand in waist deep water, Put on your mask and snorkel, Place your face in the water and breathe. Is your mask adjusted properly or is water pouring in? Does the snorkel feel right? Do you trust that you can breathe the snorkel and stop holding your breath?
Give yourself a little time. All new skills take time to master. After you comfortable with the mask and snorkel, put on your fins. Float in water you can stand up in. When that feels natural, swim around a bit in the shallows. When you feel like a "fish in water" go snorkeling!
The underwater world offers so many spectacular views. Enjoy your new skill and all the beauty the ocean has to offer. Melissa :-)
Snorkel Gear Deals on Ebay...
Remember my tips...
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byGet great deals on lodging--hotels, b&b's, and houses!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byHawaii Phone Numbers for more information...
Hawaii Visitors Bureau-Big Island (808) 961-5795
Kailua-Kona Chamber of Commerce (808) 329-1758
Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce (808) 935-7178
Hawaii Island Economic Development (808) 966-5416
Long Term Rentals or Purchases:
Rentals Illustrated (808) 949-3686
Homes & Land (800) 277-7800
Local Newspapers:
Hawaii Tribune Herald (808) 935-6621
West Hawaii Today (808) 329-9311
Things to Pack...
Sunscreen (If you have sensitive skin, try it out at home first, a skin rash on vacation is not fun)
Sunglasses
Sun Hat/Baseball Cap (Even the part in your hair can burn if you're not careful, besides, you look cute in hats!)
Journal (If for no other reason, so you can write down all the directions, dinner times, boat launchings, etc.)
Camera (film or card)
Disposable underwater cameras (great for snorkeling)
Comfortable Sandles (Wear around the house)
Tennis Shoes and Cool Socks (You may want to go for a run on the beach or a hike)
Swim Shorts (If you like to snorkel, your buns may need a little sun break)
Calling card (May be a little easier and less expensive to phone home)
Postage Stamps (Who wants to stand in line at the post office in Paradise to mail all those great postcards?)
Attractive cool casual wear (You may want to look a little nicer than beachwear going out to dinner or dancing!)
Beach Bag (You may not want your nice rolling Samsonite in the sand with your entire wardrobe.)
Points of Interest
Swimming with sea turtles is so cool...
Turtle Photos Copyright Ursula Keuper-Bennett and Peter Bennett. Used by permission. Even if you are not planning on going right away...
You can always check prices to start saving!
Check different time frames. The off season is much less expensive. Sometimes there are even discounts for a couple of weeks before the off season. If traveling with a few folks check out house rentals along with condos and hotels for the best rates. Also, check package deals against the price of booking the airfare, accomodations and car rental seperately.
Kona
Check out today's weather for your trip!
Blog Posts from Google
See what others are saying about Kona, Hawaii...
Great Digital Camera Deals on Ebay...
To record all those tropical memories...
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand bySome News from the Islands...
Hey, thanks for stopping by...
Please leave me a message
Hope you enjoyed this lens. I love Kona. I cannot wait until my next visit! Hope to see you there! :-)
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Reply
- KonaGirl KonaGirl May 6, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
- Melissa,
Mahalo for stopping by for a visit! I have lensrolled you to my Big Island of Hawaii lens. Great job!
Aloha,
June
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Reply
- Infant_Traveler Infant_Traveler May 3, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
- Hi Kona Girl,
Thanks for the info.
All the Best, Melissa :-)
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Reply
- KonaGirl KonaGirl Apr 14, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
- Hi, I was born and raised in Kona. Nice perspective of my home. Just one tiny little thing. Some of your photos are from Kailua on Oahu, not Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. You might what to correct your information. Chinamen's Hat in the background is the giveaway.
Big Island of Hawaii
Aloha,
June
by Infant_Traveler
Greetings! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find something of value in this Squidoo lens. All the Best, Melissa :-)
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