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Reviewed with love and passion for snorkeling:

The Best Snorkels in 2021

Z

Our snorkel geeks at work

We gave our two snorkels geeks one job:
Test 22 different snorkels
and write reviews of the best.

The result is 9 of the best snorkles on the marked today.

torben lonne

Torben Lonne

Snorkel geek and editor

Torben is a dive nut, with a passion for dive gear and especially snorkels.

jennifer palmer

Jennifer Palmer

Snorkel & dive gear geek

Jennifer is a snorkel and scuba expert, and the main person behind this guide

Whether you’re a diver, snorkeler or both, purchasing a snorkel is a vital part of your equipment.

Some people believe that the mask is the most important piece of equipment used in these pastimes, as without them, you would not be able to see. Some believe that the fins are the most important as they propel you through the water at a fast pace.

However, some forget that without a snorkel, we would not be able to breathe under the water, which is of course, essential.

Go here to find our guide to Full Face Snorkel Masks

Got questions about Snorkels? Ask us here!

Best Beginners Snorkels

Snorkels for beginners should be easy to use and durable. If you’re looking for a snorkel for snorkeling, then make sure to look out for snorkels that are rigid and either has a purge valve for easy exhalation of water, or a splash guard to help protect the top of the snorkel from splashes or waves at the surface.

As a beginner, it is always a good idea to avoid gimmicky snorkels, as they are usually overly expensive but only last two seconds.

Here are our recommendations for beginner snorkels for divers and snorkelers…

Omer Sub Zoom Pro Soft Snorkel

Where to buy:
What we like:
  • This snorkel is flexible and easy to travel with.
  • Is low priced but made of good material.
  • A great snorkel for beginners.
What we don’t like:
  • The mouthpiece on this snorkel is a little small, making it difficult to keep your jaw clamped down on it.
  • This snorkel does not fit to the face perfectly, meaning you’ll have to keep it tightly gripped in your mouth.

XS Scuba M-Line Snorkel 3D Flex Dry

Where to buy:
What we like:
  • This snorkel has a unique floating valve system, which closes when it comes into contact with water.
  • The dry top opens as soon as you resurface.
  • The mouthpiece is adjustable and has a swivel ball joint.
  • The tube allows for the snorkel to drop away from the face when not in use or scuba diving.
What we don’t like:
  • If the dry top of the snorkel malfunctions for any reason, it can become blocked and not allow you to breathe through it.
  • When under the water, this snorkel can increase drag.

Aqua Lung Smart-Snorkel Full Face Mask

Where to buy:
What we like:
  • Has a full-face design.
  • Perfect for beginners.
  • No need to bite down on a mouthpiece and irritate your jaw.
  • Has a dry top snorkel design to reduce leaking.
What we don’t like:
  • Fogs up easily.
  • Has no access to nose so cannot equalize.
  • Make sure you try it on before you buy, to ensure the perfect fit.

Best Advanced Snorkels

As an advanced or an experienced snorkeler, you’ll be looking for a snorkel that sits comfortably on the face, is efficient and has all the features needed to prevent any issues from arising once in the water. A purge valve is an ideal addition that will help you remove any water that accumulates in the breathing tube. If you are planning to only snorkel on the surface with your snorkel, then a splash guard will help protect you from inhaling water if you are hit by a wave.

Here are our recommendations for advanced snorkels for snorkelers and scuba divers…

Aqua Lung Nautilus Foldable Travel Snorkel

Where to buy:
What we like:
  • This snorkel is ideal for the travelers. It’s lightweight and easy to pack.
  • It is flexible and easily sits on the face.
  • This is a great snorkel for beginner snorkelers and divers.
What we don’t like:
  • The airway can sometimes become blocked with dirt and sand, if not cleaned properly after every use.
  • There is no splashguard, meaning that water can enter the top of the snorkel whilst you’re on the surface.

Atomic SV2 Semi-Dry Snorkel

Where to buy:
What we like:
  • Well made with good material.
  • Purge valve works efficiently with only a short sharp exhale to totally clear the tube of water.
  • Lightweight.
What we don’t like:
  • If you’re attaching this snorkel to a narrow strapped mask, the fit can be quite slack.
  • Quite expensive.
  • The mouthpiece may require the user to clamp down, causing jaw ache if used for long periods of time.

Genesis Surf Snorkel

Where to buy:
What we like:
  • Really easy to use and just clips onto your mask.
  • It has a purge valve attached so is easy to clear.
  • No backflow through the purge valve.
  • Comfortably fitting mouthpiece.
What we don’t like:
  • The clip that connects the snorkel breaks easily and can fall off with the slightest bit of pressure.

Best Snorkels for Scuba Divers

Scuba divers don’t often spend a lot of time on the surface of the water, however, when they do they are usually trying to get to the point where they descend, or they are trying to get back to the boat. Either way, they need to use as little effort as possible and not have to faff around trying to blow the water out of their snorkel to no avail.

Here are our recommendations for best scuba diving snorkels …

Mares Ergo Flex Snorkel

Where to buy:
What we like:
  • This snorkel has a sliding snorkel clip.
  • Purge Valve that requires little effort to clear.
  • Perfect for divers and even snorkelers who are planning to be out in the water for long periods of time.
What we don’t like:
  • Due to the flexible ridges within the lower part of the snorkel, these can collect dirt easily and can block the breathing tube.

Cressi Supernova Dry Snorkel

Where to buy:
What we like:
  • This snorkel is extremely comfortable to use.
  • It has a splashguard, which means if you’re ending your dive in choppy water, you do not need to worry about inhaling water.
  • One of the best snorkels available on the market.
What we don’t like:
  • This snorkel tends to flap around a bit if it hasn’t been fastened onto the mask properly.
  • If you get sand stuck in the valve at the top of the snorkel, this can block the tube and therefore not allow you to breathe through it.

Aquabionic S01 Semi Dry Flex Snorkel

Where to buy:
What we like:
  • This semi-dry snorkel is streamlined to prevent drag whilst under the water.
  • It has a splash guard at the top to prevent water entering the breathing tube.
  • Near effortless purge valve to remove any water within the tube.
  • Flexible silicone mouthpiece, to reduce tired jaws.
What we don’t like:
  • Certain parts of this snorkel swivel or move and can leak over time.
  • If dirt gets trapped within the flexible part of this snorkel, it can lead to impaired breathing.

Before you choose a snorkel, it is important to know that there are several different types of snorkels to choose from depending on what you require and what type of activity you’ll be taking part in.

 

Types Of Snorkels

Classic SnorkelMares Ergo Flex Snorkel

The classic snorkel is sometimes referred to as a ‘J-style’ snorkel. This snorkel consists of a simple plastic tube, with a mouthpiece attached. It is usually slightly bent however, can also be made into a more specific shape to suit the owner.

This is, by far the most affordable type of snorkel available and can be used for both scuba diving as well as snorkeling. This snorkel is slightly more ridged than other types of snorkels, which can make it more uncomfortable for the user. Another thing to be aware of is that if you’re on the surface and this particular snorkel becomes completely submerged, you will have to inhale fully and expel the air through it forcefully to clear it. This is a great option for a beginner as it is simple and easy to use.

There are a number of advantages if you choose a classic snorkel…

  • They are super affordable.
  • Perfect if you’re new to snorkeling or scuba diving.
  • Really easy to pack if you’re taking it abroad.

There are also a few disadvantages to remember before purchasing it…

  • The material it is made from is quite hard and can be uncomfortable.
  • To clear it properly, you need to exhale forcefully.
  • Can leak easily.

Dry Snorkel

This type of snorkel has a valve at the top of the snorkel. This valve completely blocks water, once the snorkel has been submerged, as well as air. It also has a purge valve at the base, making it really easy to expel the water from the tube, once at the surface. This snorkel also allows snorkelers to glide along the surface of the ocean, duck down under the surface and resurface all without having to worry about clearing out the tube constantly.

XS Scuba M-Line Snorkel 3D Flex Dry

If you’re using this snorkel whilst scuba diving, you can save energy at the surface as you don’t need to push out the water from the snorkel as it is already clear.

The purge valve at the bottom of this snorkel allows you to exhale quickly and remove any water that should enter the tube.
This is an efficient snorkel to use and is a good choice for divers and snorkelers alike, it does however have a couple of issues. There is a valve at the top of the snorkel, which can sometimes get blocked, making it difficult to breathe through. In addition, the dry snorkel constant has air inside the tube, which means that it remains buoyant throughout a dive or whilst you’re under the water. It can also increase drag whilst swimming through the water.

The advantages of dry snorkels are…

  • It’s great for going under the water whilst snorkeling.
  • It does not need constant clearing.
  • Has a purge valve to clear the little accumulation of water that can happen.

The disadvantages of dry snorkels are…

  • If the top valve gets blocked, this can make it difficult to breathe.
  • Increases in drag.
  • Can be more buoyant than other snorkels.

Flexible Snorkel

This is a great snorkel for both snorkeling and scuba diving. It is a flexible snorkel with a purge valve and a rigid part. The purge valve only requires a short exhalation to remove any water from inside the tube.
The flexible snorkel is great for divers who prefer a more snug fit around their face.

The advantages of flexible snorkels are…

  • Falls away from the face when not in use, which means uninhibited viewing.
  • Has a purge valve, to remove water easily from the tube.
  • It’s more flexible than the classic snorkel.
  • It’s light and easy to travel with.

There are also a few disadvantages to flexible snorkels…

  • If you’re snorkeling off a beach and get dirt or sand into the valve, this can cause the airway to get blocked.
  • There is nothing stopping the water penetrating the top of the snorkel.
How to snorkel

Fine tuning your Snorkeling Skills – Dudarev Mikhail

Semi-Dry Snorkel

This snorkel is the perfect combination of a classic and a dry snorkel. Semi-dry snorkels have a splash guard to prevent water from entering the breathing tube from above; some have a flexible tube or a rigid tube and a purge valve at the base.

Some of the purge valves and splash guards work with a moving mechanism, which is not always great as if a small grain of sand gets stuck, this can cause the mechanism to leakage and or blockage.

There are several advantages to a Semi-dry snorkels…

  • It’s easy to use and flexible.
  • They have a purge valve, and some have a splashguard.

There are also some disadvantages…

  • Does leak if dirt or sad gets into the mechanisms.
  • The parts that move can break easily and tend to leak after time.
  • These are slightly more expensive than other snorkels on offer.

Full Face Snorkel

This snorkel is an all in one combination of a mask and snorkel. The snorkel itself is positioned in the center at the top of the mask. There is no mouthpiece, making this the easiest snorkel to use on the market. Even though it is not a snorkel per say, it is the most suitable for beginners who prefer to breathe freely, without having to bite down on a mouthpiece.

Aqua Lung Smart-Snorkel Full Face Mask

This snorkel can only be used for snorkeling, not scuba diving.

See the Guide to Full Face Snorkel Masks

The Advantages of full-face snorkels are…

  • So easy to use.
  • Ideal for beginners.
  • Allows the jaw to relax.

The Disadvantages of full-face snorkels are…

  • You do not have access to your nose, so cannot equalize if you choose to dip under the surface.
  • Cannot use for scuba diving.
  • Can fog up easily.
  • The position of the snorkel can sometimes cause difficulties if the sea is choppy.
  • It is quite large in size and can be difficult to pack if you’re traveling.

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