Mermaiding in Hawai'i Help!

[MidsummerMermaid]

I want to bring my tail to Hawai'i with my family on a trip. Problem is how I'm going to get my monofin on the airplane (FinFun) since my parents and I are only taking two suitcases. Any suggestions from people who travel with their tails?

And if I'm able to bring it with, does anyone know some good places to go mermaiding in Hawai'i?

[Merman Storm]

I use a big suitcase, one large enough to hold the monofin. Such a suitcase is large enough that you do have to check it. Another option is have it shipped Fed Ex, or some similar way.
As for where to swim, look for places with small waves. Waves are a pain when tail swimming.

[MidsummerMermaid]

Any thoughts on if I could fit it into a backpack with the tips poking out so I could use it as a carry-on?

[Merman Storm]

The issue is a finfun monofin is too big to fit in an overhead bin, irrelevant of what sort of container it is in. All monofins are, except a Lunocet, which can be dis-assembled.

[Mermaid Kristy]

I carried mine on and put it in the overhead bin when I went to Hawaii.


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[MidsummerMermaid]

Did you just carry it like in a case or bag or did you just literally carry it on?

[Mermaid Kristy]

Did you just carry it like in a case or bag or did you just literally carry it on?

Mine came with a mesh backpack that it fits in (my tail is a Mertailor Guppy with the mermaid Linden Monofin).


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[Merman Storm]

Airlines recently changed the rules about what they will allow as a carry-on. I doubt you can still get away with carrying on a monofin, unless its really small (fit in a 14 x 22 inch box).

https://travel-made-simple.com/carry-on-size-chart/

[Mermaid Kristy]

I had zero trouble with Hawaiian airlines in November.


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[Mermaid Kristy]

Here’s my tail packed up at the airport


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[MidsummerMermaid]

I guess I'd better break out the measuring tape. So you carried it on as a personal item? Can you do that with a monofin?

[Mermaid Kristy]

I put it in the overhead bin. Fit fine.


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[Merman Storm]

Hawaiian airlines allows 22" x 14" x 9". If you lay the monofin in sort of diagonally, you can get a 22" x 17" one crammed in that volume. My Finfun is 22" x 22", so it will not work. But its an adult Monofin pro. Their smaller one might fit. Also, if I was willing to risk having it get permanently bent, I might be able to flex the tips in sufficiently to get it to fit.
If they let a larger one on, then they let it sneak on, or did not notice, or just made a mistake. That can happen, but I would not count on it happening.

The size limits are somewhat driven by safety. Large items can impede an evacuation.

[MidsummerMermaid]

Crud and mine is the same. Dang it.

[Mermaid Kristy]

If you put it in a bag, you can check it. Most airlines it’s something like $25 each way.


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[Merman Storm]

Another odd alternative: Buy a new one when you get there. Ship it home when you leave. Then you also have a new tail!

[MidsummerMermaid]

Hmm, buy my own carry on. There's an idea I somehow didn't have before.

[Derek Broussard]

When are you Visiting Hawaii? What islands are you going to? Each island has some unique places to swim. And if you are comfortable with your tail there are amazing ocean swims.

I also do Freediving courses and photoshoots. If you have the time or interest send me a pm

[KTMaggs]

My favorite place was the Queens Bath on Kauai. It is crowded but gorgeous! There were sea turtles all around.