Personal belongings while on snorkeling excursion...

We will be going on a private snorkeling excursion in Cozumel. This is
first time, so I have some basic questions.

Where do you usually keep your personal belongings (backpack with
camera, change of clothes, etc.) while snorkeling? I have read in
other threads suggesting carrying cash and identification in a water-
proof pouch into the water.

Will there be locker at the shop or on the boat to keep the backpack?
Will it be usually safe and dry?

Or, is it better to leave the backpack in the ship, return from the
excursion to ship and then head back again to the island for further
activities?

Thank you very much for your time.

You kind of hit on many points. But here is what I do:

Wear a bathing suit with a zipper pocket or hard plastic water proof
case & wear around your neck or carry a water wallet. You can get good
ones from a local dive shop or even online - The ship Gift Shops also
sell them. Stay away from the cheap ones. I've seen the cheap cases
pop open in the water. I've also seen water wallets rip open. Only
carry your ID, Small amount of cash (nobody will refuse wet money) & a
credit card. To be honest a zippered pocket bathing suit is best.

Back pack? Sure why not. Use it to carry your towels, sunscreen, water
bottle and keep your dry clothes in it while your off the snorkel boat.

Camera? Keep it in your backpack. I have never had any items taken
from a boat crew. But to be honest I don't take my digital camera on a
water tour. Your better off getting a disposable underwater camera to
take. Leave the good stuff on the ship. That is just my opinion.

Your not going to want to go back and forth to the ship. Its a lot of
wasted time. Especially if you have to tender to the ship.

In article
<5e661c16-7a8a-44cd-8401-26d4a9c324cf@v4g2000hsf..com>,
<skarkada@> wrote:

> Will there be locker at the shop or on the boat to keep the backpack?
> Will it be usually safe and dry?

I have done many of these and I just leave the cash, camera, and ID on
the excursion boat in the bag that I brought. Never had anything stolen
on an excursion either private or cruise line. It is not a likely
scenario on those. I do have a waterproof pouch but I only use that at
public beaches that I go to on my own..

--
Charles