Most bareboat charter boats come with a handful of masks, snorkels and fins jammed into a hatch, so do you plan to use those, or do you bring your own anyway?

The answer will depend on you, and your snorkeling plans. Do you just want to jump in once to see the turtles, or do you plan your days around grabbing the perfect day-use mooring ball at the perfect reef?

For short stints underwater, the gear onboard is usually completely fine. You should dig it out and make sure it will work for you before you leave the dock, and make sure that there are matched sets of fins that will fit everyone who wants to give it a try. Charter companies usually have a pile of gear that you can swap with if you need different sizes.

If you’re a serious snorkeler, then by all means bring your own gear. If you plan to spend hours underwater, having your own well-fitting mask and a snorkel that you know doesn’t leak will make your time so much more enjoyable. Sometimes the decision comes down to what will fit in the suitcase, but if you’re a serious snorkeler, it might be worth your while to skip an outfit to jam your mask in.