Hi Hi:

I will be going on a vacation soon.  I am taking a cruise with a friend.  We are going to the Caribbean.  One of the off ship excursions we are going on is under water exploring of coral reefs.  I was advised by the cruise line when this was set up that if I had long hair I sould wear a bathing cap.

Has any one out there ever gone snorkeling?  Do you really think I need a bathing cap.  I mean that is so 50's.  However I do not want to damage my hair.  After all it's only salt water. 

What do you guy's think?

Thanks - Susan

I've gone snorkeling before (you're gonna have a lot of fun!).  I personally don't like swim caps, but I do think they help protect your hair.  It is up to you...salt water is drying, kind or like chlorine, but not as bad.  Some people put conditioner in their hair and then put the cap over it in swimming pools to keep the chorine out of their hair. I don't know how effective it is against salt water.

I think if you wash your hair as soon afterwards as possible and really condition it, you should be fine.  Just make sure your hair doesn't get caught in the snorkel mask strap (ow!).  A braid might be a good idea to keep your hair out of the way and reduce tangling.

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

When I was in Ulta the other day I noticed that Redken now makes a product that you put on your hair before swimming to help keep your hair from soaking up the chlorine.  I am going to buy it this summer :O)  I own a swim cap   I bought it from http://www.wbhswim.com - www.wbhswim.com .  They have lot's of sytles and colors.  Have fun on your trip!

ooops - I forgot to tell you the kind I like.  I use the all flowered cap in black.  It is a larger cap to hold lots of hair and it does not look stupid.  Add some nice black sunglasses and you look very elegant.  I also use a plain nylon swim cap under it so the rubber cap does not pull at my hair when I put it on.

Hi Hi:

Thank you all so much for the great ideas.  They are so wonderful.  I will exspecially look for the hair products that may offer me some protection.

I have meet so many nice people on this forum. 

Hugs - Susan

Hi Hi:

Thank you all so much for the great info.  I will let everyone know how it turns out once I get back.  Maybe even sooner.  I was told the ship has www accress.  If that the case.  I will log on and let everyong know how things are.

I have made so many nice friends. You guys are all great.

Hugs - Susan

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.