The Complete Guide To Snorkeling Gear in 2023
By: Torben Lonne
Our writers and editors look for the best Snorkeling gear available. We test, research, and review the best products in different categories with a focus on quality, performance, and the overall value for the price.
Do you Love snorkeling?
Here’s everything you need to know about snorkeling gear.
Get your fins on with our guide to getting the most from your snorkeling
In this article, we’ll look at all the equipment for snorkeling:
- What to look for in a snorkel mask and which mask to choose
- The Best Full Face Snorkel Masks
- What to look for when picking a good pair of fins
- What to look for in a good snorkel & which to choose
- The Best Wetsuits for snorkeling
We often think of snorkeling as an equipment-light kind of activity, and often just rent or borrow gear when we go snorkeling. Still, there are numerous advantages to having your own snorkeling gear.
Want to know more about Snorkeling read this guide: Covering the Basics of Snorkeling
The Basic Snorkeling Equipment
Snorkeling doesn’t require much gear, compared to scuba diving. But the lower amount of gear doesn’t make selecting that gear any less important.
The basics of snorkeling are a mask, fins, and a snorkel. In this guide, we’ll also take a look at the Full Face Snorkel mask and Wetsuits for snorkeling.
Now, let’s start looking at the traditional snorkeling mask.
All the Snorkeling Gear We've tested
One of the most cutting edge full face snorkel masks, the Ocean Reef Aria QR+ has a walkie talkie attachment that allows you to communicate with others when snorkeling.
Ocean Reef have mastered the full face snorkel masks, with masks which have the largest field of view on the market. Not to mention the Ocean Reef full face snorkel masks are very comfortable.
The Ocean Reef Aria QR+ is comfortable and easy to use, however, it’s most unique feature is the walkie talkie attachment which can be used to communicate with a walkie talkie on the shore or with other snorkelers. Compatible with most of the Ocean Reef Aria range, these walkie talkies make snorkelling a lot more fun!
Specs & Features
- Strap type: Soft elastic
- Field of view: 180°
- Distortion: No
- Dry snorkel: Yes
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Comfortable fit -
Easy to use
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Great visibility
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Dry snorkel
Things we don't like:
Small sizing
Small sizing
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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This snorkel is flexible and easy to travel with.
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Is low priced but made of good material.
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A great snorkel for beginners.
Things 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.
Where to buy:
Where to buy:
What to Look For When Choosing a Snorkeling Mask
The mask allows to see underwater, and seeing as we’re snorkeling to experience the underwater world, this is of course critical.
Mask construction
Make sure your mask of choice is a “real” diving or snorkeling mask. By this I mean that it should be made for the purpose of diving or snorkeling, rather than a cheap mask bought in a supermarket.
Properly constructed masks will feature shatterproof glass and are made so they can withstand pressure if you go for breath-hold dives.
How should the Mask be designed
When choosing a mask, pick one with a relatively small volume, meaning that the air space trapped inside the mask isn’t larger than necessary.
This will make it easier to clear if water should come in, and makes it easier to equalize it if you dive below the surface.
Go for one with a good field of vision (if necessary, you might want to consider getting a prescription snorkel mask). I prefer mono-glass masks, meaning that the mask is made up with one large piece of class, rather than two pieces, one for each eye, but this is a matter of personal taste.
Read Our Full Guide to a Snorkel Mask
How to check if the Mask fit
The fit of the mask is crucial, but can be done in a few easy steps:
- Put the mask on without putting the strap around your head
- Inhale lightly through your nose
- Let the mask go
If the mask sticks to your face simply from the vacuum you create by inhaling, it has a reasonably good fit.
Put the mask strap on and exhale from your nose. You should be able to force the exhaled air out under the mask skirt without too much effort. Otherwise, emptying the mask if water comes in will be difficult.
Wear the mask for a few minutes and make note of anywhere the mask puts uncomfortable pressure on your face.
Typical places are the underside of the tip of the nose, between the eyes and on the forehead. If all of these are comfortable, you’re well on your way to finding a good mask.
Here are some of our snorkeling mask recommendations:
The Full Face Snorkeling Mask
If your snorkeling and water activities only are on the surface, then a Full Face snorkel mask is a great option for you.
I’ll give you great comfort and a more natural way of breathing using booth nose and mouth.
Here are our recommendations for a good Full Face Snorkel Mask
Choosing Fins for Snorkeling
Most people snorkel in warm water, so full-heel fins are the better choice here.
If you’ll be snorkeling in cold water, where you’ll be wearing booties, an open-heel fin is a better choice.
Go for a fin with a reasonable amount of flex, but stiffer around the foot.
If you intend to do basic snorkeling, sticking to the surface, and will be traveling with them, you may want to consider a shorter fin, which is easier to pack. If you’ll be doing breath-hold diving, consider a traditional freediving fin, which tends to be longer and give more thrust in relation to energy used.
Read the full Snorkel fin guide
Here are our recommendations for great Snorkel Fins:
Choosing the Right Snorkel
A snorkel is a fairly basic piece of equipment. Go for one that isn’t too long, as the longer the snorkel is, the harder it is to breathe in.
A good, medium length will work well in making breathing easy while being elevated enough to keep it out of the water.
A variety of oneway filters are used to prevent water from entering the snorkel, and these can be a benefit for snorkeling in choppy water, or for people looking to do breath-hold dives.
Make sure your snorkel of choice can be somehow attached to your mask strap so you don’t drop it accidentally. Unless, you go with a dual tube snorkel system like the Ameo Powerbreather with a head strap.
Read the Full guide to picking the best Snorkel
Here are our recommendations for the best Snorkels
Choosing a Snorkeling Wetsuit
For tropical waters, “exposure protection” may simply be swimwear and lots of Reef Safe Sun lotion.
But a rash guard can be helpful for a bit of protection against the sun and a bit of warmth for extended snorkel trips.
For cooler waters, a neoprene top (short-sleeved, sleeveless or full-sleeved as you prefer) can help keep you warm, and for even cooler waters, consider a wetsuit, either a shorty or a full-length.
If you do wear any neoprene elements, do factor in the buoyancy of these, and if you chose to do any dives, consider adding a bit of weight on a weight belt to allow you to submerge. Err on the side of caution, though, and better to be a pound too light, rather than a pound too heavy, when breath-hold diving.
Here are our recommendations for snorkeling wetsuits:
Do I Need To Bring a Knife for Snorkeling
Some snorkelers bring dives on their trips. Largely, these are unnecessary, as entanglement is typically not a big risk during snorkeling.
If you are going to areas where sea kelp or old fishing nets can pose a risk, a knife can be a good idea, though.
Choose a small one that can be attached on your lower leg.
Your Snorkel Equipment Setup?
What equipment do you bring on a snorkeling trip and what do you choose to rent? Have you ever had a bad snorkel equipment experience? Bad rental gear etc.? We’d love to hear your snorkel gear stories right here.
Frequently asked questions
At DIVEIN, we’ve tested a whole lot of Snorkeling Gear including Snorkeling Masks, Snorkels & Fins. For each category we’ve reviewed the best of them.
These are among our top picks:
Before buying Snorkeling Gear, it is important to be aware of some basic features to choose the Gear that fits your needs.
We included the most important features to consider for each part of your Snorkeling Gear:
Comments
Hi Xavier,
the snorkel is not a hose, but a tube, and should never be 10 ft long. Please don’t try using this on a snorkeling trip.
Hi Ira,
No, this is not what a Full Face Snorkel mask is made or tested for. So, I’d suggest finding another mask/googles for swimming, that’s better suited for swimming.
What is the best full-face snorkeling mask to use for swimming hard laps? I bought the Ocean Reef Aria Full Face Snorkel Mask but cannot use it as it does not allow for adequate air intake during lap swimming. Any suggestions?
My family and I plan to do a snorkeling tour for the first time. We’ll keep in mind to choose a mask with a relatively small volume, therefore the air-spaced trapped inside the mask isn’t larger than necessary. I hope we’ll be able to find a great snorkeling tour service in Puerto Rico.
I want too do that to snorkeling ?. .
Hi There,
try taking a look at our Full face Snorkeling guide here: https://www.divein.com/full-face-snorkel-mask/
Looking at the Seaview V2 vs the Aqua lung full faced mask for an obligate nose breathing person who gave up on snorkeling until I saw the full mask. Thought between these two?
Yes, it’s possible. and for most, you’ll be able to do this without them fogging up.
Can you wear glasses inside a full face snorkelling mask?
Do you carry a 10 ft or longer snorkel hose?