Realistically, will it be dificult for me to find snorkling gear for a child 50lbs/4ft. tall? Can anyone recommend a particular venue that caters to children's sizes?

If you are just looking for mask, snorkel, and fins, a sporting goods store will have it. When we were on Ambergris, we rented the snorkeling equipment from the dive shop. My youngest is 58 lbs, and it fit him fine. Your kids will have a ball!

i found gear for the kiddos at academy and wally world. if this is the first time snorkeling for them, watch out for "swim aways". davids little one would always swim off, finally i would give her strict instructions to follow a shoreline or a rope or something. turned out she would see a fish and follow it off!!!
gay

Are the places mentioned in AC or the US? Is it imperative that I bring a mask & other stoff with me? I hate to bring more than necessary, but wnat to be prepared. Thanks for the advice, Gay!

both in the us
academy sports & outdoors
walmart
both should have websites
gay

Ditto to the other posters. Kids' snorkeling equipment would be available at Wal-mart, K-mart, or your local sporting goods store. However, I don't think you need to bring it with you. The dive shops in Ambergris will have equipment that will fit your children. The masks have adjustable straps, and the flippers come in children's sizes. We used Ambergris Divers, and rented the snorkel equipment from them - if I remember it correctly, it cost $6.00 US per day. Just my opinion - but if your child is too small to fit into the rental equipment, he/she is probably too young to snorkel offshore.

We took our kids (ages 10 & 7) snorkelling at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. Even though they are both good swimmers, they wore a life jacket around their waist. The dive master also attached a rope to one of those round life preservers. He held onto one end of the rope, and instructed the kids to hold onto the other end with one hand.

The only other safety tip that I have is to make sure the number in your group is small, so you or the divemaster can keep a close eye on your kids. I saw some cruise ship passengers at Shark Ray Alley, and there were about 20 people to one guide - scary!

Our family had a blast snorkelling together. I'm sure yours will too!

Amigos del Mar rents kid sized gear. There may be other places as well. And Blue Hole & Fantasea (at Victoria House) rent prescription masks FYI. When snorkeling with kids beware at Hol Chan - usually very strong currents toward the reef. I have had to be "rescued" with my 4 yr old by the park ranger.

Thanks everyone for the info...I will rent equipment there instead of bringing it from here.