Well needless to say it has been a crazy spring season for us. First, with the hints of something called COVID 19 out there, the Army Corp of Engineers began dredging the pass leading out to the Gulf of Mexico. A project that was long overdue and one that we totally support. With the piping and equipment in the snorkel area, we have not been able to do our Snuba or Snorkeling tours. It looks like they will be out there until the end of May so we will only be able to run our Shelling Tours and Dolphin Tours until they move the dredge and the lines.
Then the Covid-19 virus closed us down and self-quarantine which has made it even more difficult for Destin Snorkel.
Some of us have done home maintenance projects, yard work, our boats and cars are spotless, some have improved their cooking skills, and also a little binge watching or gaming. Others have been sewing masks, sewing bags, making mugs, you know, crafting in general. While others have sat longingly looking out at the Gulf of Mexico waiting for the day hoping it would end. Then hoping Phase 1 would begin.
Well Phase 1 began on Monday, May 4th! We could begin operating at limit capacity.
During this time, we wanted to give back to our wonderful community as soon as we were able.
We came up with the “Locals First” promotion for our first week of operation. We feel our community has really come together to ride out this new, different kind of storm. So many have fallen on hard times and yet come together. All the while, only been able to look from afar at the Gulf of Mexico while our beaches were closed.
Our “Locals First” Dolphin Tours started out to be 42 tours which quickly filled up. So, we added another 42 tours and then 21 more! They also quickly filled. So… we added more seats to the tours while staying in compliance with the CDC’s outdoor recommendations. In conjunction with our “Locals First” tours we are holding a food drive to help the Harvest House food pantry in Destin. Our goal was to collect a 1000 lbs. of food the month of May to help replenish their busy food pantries. So far, the food drive has been met with as much enthusiasm as the tours.
Here are pictures from our first tours earlier today. Please see our Facebook and Instagram for more pictures.
Snorkeling 101
We have been running our snorkeling tours to the jetties since 2008. With people visiting from all over the world, we realize snorkeling is an experience some people have never had. At Destin Snorkel you can be confident that our safe, family friendly snorkel excursions will be a highlight of your Destin, FL vacation.
Here, are a few tips and tricks that will help familiarize you with the beginners snorkeling experience at Destin Snorkel.
If you aren’t comfortable jumping right in to snorkeling, stand in the shallows and practice by putting your face down in the water. This way, you’ll be able to practice breathing out of your mouth and you can make sure you have a good seal on your mask.
When you dive under the water with the snorkel in your mouth, you can get the water out of the snorkel by exhaling through your mouth with a strong “too” sound. Be aware: it may become muscle memory to breathe through the snorkel, so be careful not to inhale while the top of the snorkel is underwater. Salt water is not very refreshing…
On our snorkeling tour, you’ll be given fins before you get on the boat. The fins fit on either foot, there is no left and right foot. If they fit too loosely on your foot, they could fall off in the water, and if they’re too tight, that’ll be uncomfortable and no fun. The ideal set of fins should fit like a sock; pretty snug but not too tight.
When you’re swimming in the water with the fins on, you’ll want to move your legs up and down to propel yourself in the water. Keeping your legs straight will give you the best effect because most of the motion will come from your ankles, not from the bending of your knees.
The strap on the mask is best positioned towards the crown of your head. The same way the fins are supposed to be snug, you’d like your mask to fit similarly. Not too tight to where you’ll get a headache, and not too loose to where it falls off of your face. The mask and snorkel are in a big bucket full of a germ-killing solution on the boat. Once you have your fins, you can head down to the boat and wait to board.
We do provide life jackets for people who aren’t too strong as swimmers as well as life jackets for the kiddos. Or your welcome to bring your own if you already have one you are comfortable in. The cool thing about snorkeling is that it takes place on the surface, so you can wear a life jacket and snorkel at the same time!
Of course, if you don’t want to snorkel on our tour, you don’t have to. Once you get to the snorkeling spot, you can kayak, swim, stay on the boat, or sun bathe on the beach. The captain will stay on the boat the whole time ready to provide you with complimentary bottled water and soda.
We hope you’ll come out with us and give snorkeling a try!
Author, Danielle Brown
This is a perfect week to tackle this subject!
Our summers in Destin, FL are normally sunny, humid and beautiful. This and our clear gulf waters help to make it so fabulous for all of our water activities, but also a perfect recipe for pop up summer storms or showers.
There is one thing to keep in mind 40% chance of rain here all summer long. Yep, you read that right, normal for us, 40% chance of rain.
Here is what it means for us; somewhere in a 15 mile radius it will probably rain. We will be able to see that storm in the distance, usually across the Choctawhatchee Bay.
Our Booth Staff, Captains, Mates and Owners (even old Snorkel Mom) keeps a close eye on the radar. We are all in contact to stay updated on the storms that pop up. Last summer we delayed about 5 or 6 of our Snorkel or Shelling Tours by about 15 to 20 minutes to let a storm pass through. Then the Snorkel boats were off and our guests had a beautiful Snorkel Tour! Though are a few tours we had to cancel, most were easily rescheduled for another day. There are those weeks that the rain hangs around for a few days, however, we are always hopeful they don’t happen very often!
A light rain does not affect our tours at all. We had an old Captain who once said, “Those fish don’t care about the rain! They are already wet!” I love this saying! Captain Challis our Snuba Captain Says ” The rain is gorgeous below the surface; it looks just like diamonds.”
So, our best advice is to have a look at your 10 day forecast on your way into town. Then “try” to choose the best day to book your Snuba, Snorkel or Shelling tour. However, the weather here is constantly changing.
Destin Snorkel’s goals and guest commitments
- Your trip is a safe trip
- You and your family have a great and memorable experience
If we see something on radar we will call and give you a heads up as soon as we know. Or, if you are concerned, you are welcome to give us a call. It may be raining “Cats and Dogs” in Miramar Beach or Ft. Walton, but where we are and go out to, it is sunny. Mother Nature is a fickle gal, so don’t let her make you worry.
Love,
Snorkel Mom
