snorkel equipment in Andaman?

yodli · Nov 1st, 2009, 14:51

Hi folks,

Any suggestions on buying snorkel gear in Andaman/Chennai/Bangalore?

How is the scene now in port blair regarding snorkel equipment? can we get them in Port blair or havelock? if so where/brand/cost?

ill be there in Port Blair next weekend.

any info on this would be helpful.

Thanks.

martinez · Nov 1st, 2009, 17:13

Hi Yodli,snorkelling gear can be bought at Neil and Havelock,it can also be hired from some "resorts"(if you can casll them that). Also some cafes rent stuff. You may want to hire better equipment,in which case you should go to a dive outfit and hire from them(and pay a little more)
A word of advice is do NOT snorkell without using fins(flippers).

martinez · Nov 1st, 2009, 17:18

Havn´t seen any for sale in Port Blair,but someone somewhere is sure to have some to sell you.
MASK,when trying a mask,put it on your face with the strap loose in the front also and press the mask into your face,to dispell some air and if the mask stays on your face unsupported ,then you have a good fit. Alternatively,place the mask on your face ,strap loose to the front and breath in through your nose ,the seal should become airtight. If that does not work,look for another.

yodli · Nov 1st, 2009, 17:49

Hello Martinez,

Thank you for the tips. I plan to buy fins from the decathelon store here in bangalore. http://www.tribord.com/EN/r-gomoove-61767149/

unfortunely they dont have any good snorkel in stock.

hope I find something good in andaman.

thanks again for your reply.

martinez · Nov 1st, 2009, 19:36

The best mask i ever had was Tribord,i gave it away and kept my more expensive one.
If you can ,i would advise buying open heel fins and a pair of dive boots with strong soles to wear with them.(saves getting the odd foot injury)
Some oxygenated water and an iodine solution like Betadine is also a good idea,so that if you do get a coral scratch on your skin ,it can be cleaned out(oxy water)and thereafter sterilized(betadine)..Some spray on plastic skin for after the wound drys is also a good idea. Coral scratches do not heal well if uncared for,and can also fester quite badly leaving the recipient in need of strong medication like antibiotics.

newislander · Nov 3rd, 2009, 12:11

Why do you suggest open heeled fins? Why are they better. Also you shouldn't walk on the coral. Is that why you suggest them?

martinez · Nov 3rd, 2009, 15:42

Its about foot protection from the boots. I also know that one should not walk on coral.
To get in and out of the water at most locations in Havelock or Neil islands can be very tricky,so by wearing boots one is enabled to walk between corals or rocks or whatever else and thereby reduce the risk of personel injury.
As for the difference in type of fins ,closed heel or open i have no preference. i hope that satisfies your enquiry!

Deli Behli · Nov 4th, 2009, 02:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinez

A word of advice is do NOT snorkell without using fins(flippers).

I would respectfully disagree with Martinez on this point. I bought a pair in Port Blair (from Singapore Supermarket or suchlike) and only ever used them once [when they gave me blisters, but that's not the point]. Of course, if you want maximum protection against currents - go for a pair of neoprene booties and open heeled fins. But in my experience, for casual snorkelling, there was no need for fins at all....

hash666 · Nov 4th, 2009, 03:02

but martinez carrying fins from beach 3 to beach 7 is a pain in the ass..

martinez · Nov 4th, 2009, 04:20

[quote=Deli Behli. But in my experience, for casual snorkelling, there was no need for fins at all....[/QUOTE]

Having spent very many hours in the waters around Neil Island i think i am qualified to say that occasionally there are very strong currents,not often,but when they happen i would not like to be caught in one without fins.

Nov 1st, 2009, 14:51	#1
yodli Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 13	snorkel equipment in Andaman? Hi folks, Any suggestions on buying snorkel gear in Andaman/Chennai/Bangalore? How is the scene now in port blair regarding snorkel equipment? can we get them in Port blair or havelock? if so where/brand/cost? ill be there in Port Blair next weekend. any info on this would be helpful. Thanks.

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Nov 1st, 2009, 17:13	#2
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Hi Yodli,snorkelling gear can be bought at Neil and Havelock,it can also be hired from some "resorts"(if you can casll them that). Also some cafes rent stuff. You may want to hire better equipment,in which case you should go to a dive outfit and hire from them(and pay a little more) A word of advice is do NOT snorkell without using fins(flippers).

Nov 1st, 2009, 17:18	#3
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Havn´t seen any for sale in Port Blair,but someone somewhere is sure to have some to sell you. MASK,when trying a mask,put it on your face with the strap loose in the front also and press the mask into your face,to dispell some air and if the mask stays on your face unsupported ,then you have a good fit. Alternatively,place the mask on your face ,strap loose to the front and breath in through your nose ,the seal should become airtight. If that does not work,look for another.

Nov 1st, 2009, 17:49	#4
yodli Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 13	Hello Martinez, Thank you for the tips. I plan to buy fins from the decathelon store here in bangalore. http://www.tribord.com/EN/r-gomoove-61767149/ unfortunely they dont have any good snorkel in stock. hope I find something good in andaman. thanks again for your reply.

Nov 1st, 2009, 19:36	#5
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	The best mask i ever had was Tribord,i gave it away and kept my more expensive one. If you can ,i would advise buying open heel fins and a pair of dive boots with strong soles to wear with them.(saves getting the odd foot injury) Some oxygenated water and an iodine solution like Betadine is also a good idea,so that if you do get a coral scratch on your skin ,it can be cleaned out(oxy water)and thereafter sterilized(betadine)..Some spray on plastic skin for after the wound drys is also a good idea. Coral scratches do not heal well if uncared for,and can also fester quite badly leaving the recipient in need of strong medication like antibiotics.

Nov 3rd, 2009, 12:11	#6
newislander Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 67	Why do you suggest open heeled fins? Why are they better. Also you shouldn't walk on the coral. Is that why you suggest them?

Nov 3rd, 2009, 15:42	#7
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	Its about foot protection from the boots. I also know that one should not walk on coral. To get in and out of the water at most locations in Havelock or Neil islands can be very tricky,so by wearing boots one is enabled to walk between corals or rocks or whatever else and thereby reduce the risk of personel injury. As for the difference in type of fins ,closed heel or open i have no preference. i hope that satisfies your enquiry!

Nov 4th, 2009, 03:02	#9
hash666 Lord of the Flames Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Land of the Free Posts: 370	but martinez carrying fins from beach 3 to beach 7 is a pain in the ass..

Nov 4th, 2009, 04:20	#10
martinez Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: portugal Posts: 455	[quote=Deli Behli. But in my experience, for casual snorkelling, there was no need for fins at all....[/QUOTE] Having spent very many hours in the waters around Neil Island i think i am qualified to say that occasionally there are very strong currents,not often,but when they happen i would not like to be caught in one without fins.