Please be careful snorkeling

[Arubalisa]

www.aruba.com/forum/f10/please-careful-snorkeling-45917/#post231098

Baby Beach... again ...

Dan Roundfield drowns in Aruba

He and his wife went outside the opening and out into open waters. Roundfield saved his wife and was swept away by the currents.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE BE AWARE

There are plenty of safe places to snorkel in Aruba which are much less treacherous.

Just me, I would never dive there, never mind snorkel I would not even snorkel anywhere near the opening, just too risky that the current and waves will suck you out.

charles said it best

[MarcioCampos]

I had never snorkeled before going to Aruba, and I'm a quite poor swimmer, so I would never go to the water without a life vest.

When Stuart showed us the two models he had, one that could be deflated in case you wanted to go underwater for some time, and another one that keeps you afloat no matter what, my wife (who's a good swimmer) and I chose the safest option. And when we took the Jolly Pirates tour, staff required us to wear the life vest only when we were near the Antilla, and said that vests weren't mandatory on the other two sites, but I kept mine and did enjoy my snorkeling.

I'm aware I can miss nice things while wearing a vest that prevents me from going underwater, but I really don't care. And I believe that I would never go snorkeling without anyone looking after me.

Cheers

Marcio

[Arubalisa]

And I believe that I would never go snorkeling without anyone looking after me.

Cheers

Marcio

Never swim alone.
Never snorkel alone.
Never dive alone.

[MarcioCampos]

Never swim alone.
Never snorkel alone.
Never dive alone.

In my case, I can say that "with my wife" doesn't qualify as "not alone", no matter how good a swimmer she is. We would never go snorkeling on our own, without at least a third person -- an instructor or more experienced snorkelers.

Cheers

Marcio

[Andrea J.]

stay safe and do not leave the "bowl"

[ArubaAce]

I went snorkeling with Stuart last year at Mango Halto and I declined the life vest even though we were swimming from the beach into deep water. We did have a motor jet though which helps a lot. However, the water was very choppy that day and a big waive hit me and I swallowed some water. After that waive and swallowing water, I was a little scared so I didn't continue to go further out where there were a lot more coral and fishes.

I think i will stick with the vest as well while snorkeling in deep water.

At the beach where the Jolly Snorkel trips docks, I also swam all the way out without a vest. All the people from the snorkel tour were wearing their vest and i just swam all the way out without a vest and no snorkel fins either.

My daring days are over!!!

[Andrea J.]

here is a follow up to Dan Roundfield's drowning

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/19/s...PHg-s659C6cFFQ

it is dangerous to go out of the "bowl" area at Baby Beach.
as of now, there is plenty of signage to warn swimmers.

Baby Beach... again ...

Dan Roundfield drowns in Aruba

He and his wife went outside the opening and out into open waters. Roundfield saved his wife and was swept away by the currents.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE BE AWARE

There are plenty of safe places to snorkel in Aruba which are much less treacherous.

Just me, I would never dive there, never mind snorkel I would not even snorkel anywhere near the opening, just too risky that the current and waves will suck you out.

charles said it best

[Arawak]

it is dangerous to go out of the "bowl" area at Baby Beach.
as of now, there is plenty of signage to warn swimmers.

Important to note that you don't have to go completely out for the current to grab you. Once you start to get closer to the edge of the bay, depending on conditions, the current can start pulling you outwards. Do not fight it if you realize you aren't gaining ground. Let it pull you then when it stops swim back around to shore. Otherwise you'll tire yourself out.

[Jayshea]

I almost drowned the first time we went to Aruba(2004) at Baby Beach. Lucky for me a nice man saw me struggling to get out and helped me. I do not think we were out very far but I am not a strong swimmer so decided to head back to shore before the other 3 people I was with-bad mistake #1. My husband asked me if I wanted him to go back with me but he was enjoying snorkeling so much I said no I will be fine- bad mistake #2. I really lucked out but I have never returned to Baby Beach and probably never will. Unfortunately it also turned me off snorkeling and has made me weary of going out to far when I go in the ocean.