Rainbow River snorkeling advice needed

[J322Y]

Hi all.

I want to take a non-diver friend snorkeling in Rainbow River. I've never been there, and I have very little snorkeling experience.

We have wetsuits so I'm thinking a drift would be nice. I'm thinking a boat to take us upriver would be good. Can you recommend one?

What about a snorkel vest?

Thanks!

 

[Jonny Wishbone]

Been there many times. We have used pool noodles and regular cheapo life jackets opened up and just put them under your arms and snorkel on down the river. There is a boat op that will take you up river and drop you off for a fee. I can't remember the name because we usually use our own little boat and just tow it along with a dive flag mounted in the boat instead of towing a flag too. Don't miss the little cavern in the middle of the river just upstream from the Rainbow River campground. The little cavern will be a few hundred yards downstream from the deep corner where you may see some divers.

 

[Diverdonb6784]

Rainbow River Taxi. Captain Bill is a great guy and very inexpensive. The phone number for him is 352-489-7919.

 

[Diverdonb6784]

The only added benefit to the snorkeling vest would be the ability to free dive down. There are only a few spots where that's even possible in rainbow an most of what you want to see is at the surface anyway. Make sure to bring a flag.

 

[J322Y]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately my date cancelled for tomorrow but we'll either do it in the future or I'll do a dive run instead.

About the snorkel vest, I just realized that even snorkeling I'll be wearing a 5mm wetsuit so it seems a vest wouldn't be needed.