Snorkeling

This is interesting because I agree that a swim cap is very old-fashioned and besides it's much nicer to see hair floating in water taking on life of it's own.  The picture to the left is of my girlfriend and I know we wouldn't want to cover her hair while swimming unless we had to.  A friend of mine is in the Maldives Islands now and his girlfriend has very long hair.  He said they were planning on taking products along with them to treat her hair prior to going in the water.  I think he said they were going to get jojoba oil and some special hair  products with sun screen in them as well.  I don't know much about this myself, but I'm curious to see what kind of responses you get.  Maybe somebody will have some good answers for you.  Enjoy the trip!

Todd

Soak your hair in fresh water before you go in. That way, less saltwater will absorb into your strands.

Have fun and take lots of photos

What might be a bigger issue than possible damage from the saltwater is your hair getting in the way. You don't want it getting snagged on coral or blocking your friend's view do you? Yes, hair is beautiful when it floats underwater, but this isn't your regular pool. You will also be wearing gear that it might get tangled in. Just something to think about. Have a great time on your cruise!

It probably wont be that much of a big deal,  they are just being overly  safe for liability reasons.  Don't sweat it your name is'nt Keith have fun.

It can't bee very bad for your hair. I'd tie it up though so it won't get tangled or caught in anything, and you might want to shower out the salt water when you're done.

Hi Susan,

as a snorkeling enthousiast here's my two cents:

To me the most important reason someone should advise wearing a bathing cap, would be to prevent entanglements possibly on reefs, certainly on masks (my experience: rubber masks are worse than silicone ones).  Braiding helps a bit, but there are always strands that get loose and find the rubber band - ouch.

A bit more unlikely: when you dive deep onto/beside a reef and your loose hair should get caught (haven't heard this though), you would destroy the corals.  Either by tearing it loose or by your touch (most corals die after human contact by our germs).  Not to mention someone who gets afraid and starts to kick frightened in all directions (damaging more corals).  Maybe it's a US thing about liability for such nlikely events (like the stickers not to put living animals in microwaves).

About the condition of hair: snorkeling means you're going to dive under for a (few if you are used to it) minute and then swim, head down for a while.  At that time the sun starts to 'dry' your hair a bit.  Then you dive again, swim, and on and on.  If you go snorkeling for a longer time it will damage your hair.  Combined with the tension you put on the rubber band of your mask, the numerous times you'll take it off (certainly as newbie - we've all been there; please remember not to stand on any corals!! Do so over a deep part)

This all means good (hair and body!) products are highly necessary!!  Consider going snorkeling with a T-shirt and remember the rays penetrate the T-shirt too (so use high factor suncream under it too!).  Maybe in this line of thought they advise long haired newbies to wear a swimming cap ... certainly will prevent a lot of trouble for some unadvised (not like you).

It would certainly be a shame that something that puts you in such direct, overwhelming contact with nature, that teaches you a lot of respect for the world we live (swim) in, would end on a bad note.  A small preparation certainly will help you enjoy it more.  Have a great time snorkeling and should you ever get there: don't pass the possibility to go snorkeling in the South China Sea - it explodes with wild life vs the Caribbean.  I could go on and on, but this isn't a snorkeling thread is it .. hehe .. .. just to end: please don't feed the fish (you'll harm the corals).  I'll stop now before Dave steps in ...

Dave, just kiddin' ... You don't have a terrible reputation. 

Before I posted this, I read (and posted on) the "Ann Curry" side thread.  Come to think of it, it was not wise to put that remark in here ... it only makes sense if you read my remark on the "Ann Curry" first (which will be the terrible exception I guess - you excluded).  Next time I'll try either to explain it a bit more, so everybody knows exactly what is meant or just drop it.  Not everybody reads everything ... 

About the snorkeling: the so called hot spots are sometimes in poor state by too many visitors.  It only takes one clumsy guy (or girl) to ruin a part of the reef.  The most deserted sites off the beaten track offer better 'views' mostly.

Ideal snorkeling for me was the Thousands Islands (not the ones closest to Jakarta) and North of Bali; both Indonesia, Philippines on the islands between Cebu and the main island where Manila is (the name slipped my mind).  Very good too in Malaysia is the east coast (eg Pulau Babi Laut & Kecil) although the people were much more open/friendly in Indonesia and the Philippines than Malaysia.  Should you go over there, drop a line - then I could suggest some places (if they haven't gone bad in the mean time; always a possibility).  In all South East Asian countries avoid the dynamite fishing grounds.  Nothing left there and very sad to see.  Only go there if you want to be reminded how fragile our earth is.

tdouty wrote: Do you have any product recommendations?  It sounds like you do this often and might know of some good products??  I had a friend of mine go with his girlfriend and they used Aveda products with good results.  In fact, he said her hair was in better condition after returning from their vacation and being in the saltwater all the time than it was before they left.

Your friend's girlfriend probably slathered her hair in oil before going in the water.  And may have kept her hair up and/or under a hat otherwise.  Damaged hair doesn't have to be a result of going on a tropical vacation.