We did the morning snorkel trip and I didn't keep track of time very well, but I'm quite sure the trip ran a bit longer than the times we were given. We did not pay ahead of time but we gave our credit card number to secure our reservation,we were charged on the morning we checked in for the trip. If the weather is bad they will not operate the excursion and no charges will be made. When you get into the water @ stingray city the water will be over your head,however a short swim over to where the stingrays are and the water at the sandbar was slightly over my waist. Life jackets are available for all ages and I'd say on our trip the majority of people did wear the lifejackets,I personally don't like to use them and was glad to be given a choice. We took a little inflatable ring for my 5 dd and she liked that,gave her a comfort level.We had Cap. B's drop us off at 7 mile beach and at the end of the day just took a taxi back to the Magic tenders.