Mares Ergo Splash Snorkel for Scuba Diving

Mares Ergo Splash Snorkel: Semi-Dry Snorkel for Recreational Snorkelers and Scuba Divers

The Mares Ergo Splash is a semi-dry snorkel built for adults who want a comfortable, low-fuss breathing tube for snorkeling or as a scuba backup.

If you snorkel regularly, or if you are a certified diver who carries a snorkel clipped to your mask for surface swims, this is the kind of piece you will actually use rather than leave in your bag.

What "semi-dry" means for you

A fully dry snorkel has a float valve at the top that seals shut when submerged. A semi-dry sits in the middle: the shaped top deflects splash and chop, keeping most surface water out, but it does not seal completely underwater.

That is the right trade-off for most recreational use. Fully dry tops can feel slightly restrictive to breathe through, and if you are mainly staying at the surface or doing brief duck dives, a semi-dry gives you easy airflow with good splash protection.

How the design fits your face

The tube is contoured, meaning it curves to follow the side of your head rather than sticking straight out. This keeps the snorkel close to your profile and reduces the drag and awkward angle you get with a straight tube.

The lower section is a corrugated flex tube, a ribbed, flexible segment between the main barrel and the mouthpiece. It lets the mouthpiece drop naturally to the right angle for your jaw without forcing you to hold tension in your mouth. That matters on a long snorkel session when jaw fatigue adds up.

The mouthpiece and purge valve

The mouthpiece is molded in soft silicone rubber. Silicone is the material you want here: it stays soft in cold water, does not harden or crack over time the way plastic can, and is gentler on your teeth and gums over a long dive.

When you take the mouthpiece out of your mouth, the flex tube lets it fall to the side rather than hanging forward in your way. That is a small thing, but it matters when you are talking to your buddy or pulling on fins at the surface.

There is a purge valve at the mouthpiece, which is a one-way valve that lets you clear water from the tube with a short exhale rather than a sharp blast. It makes clearing easier and takes less effort, particularly useful if you are newer to snorkeling or if you have taken on a wave.

The semi-dry top also has its own exhaust valve, so water that does get in at the top has a path out before it even reaches the barrel.

Attaching it to your mask

The Ergo Splash comes with an adjustable keeper, the clip that attaches the snorkel to your mask strap. The keeper slides and repositions along the snorkel so you can dial in exactly where it sits against your head. This matters because everyone's head shape and mask fit differently, and a snorkel that sits too high or too low creates that nagging pull on your mask strap.

The mouthpiece is also removable, which makes cleaning straightforward and means you can replace it if it wears out without replacing the whole snorkel.

A note on fit

The Ergo Splash is sized for adults. If you are buying for a child or teenager, check that the mouthpiece size is appropriate before purchasing.

Who this snorkel suits

• Recreational snorkelers who want splash protection and easy clearing without the breathing resistance of a full dry top.
• Scuba divers who carry a snorkel for surface navigation, boat approaches, or open-water swims and want something that stays out of the way when not in use.
• Anyone upgrading from a basic J-tube snorkel who wants a more comfortable, better-fitting option.

Who might want something different

If you are doing a lot of duck diving or freediving and plan to submerge the snorkel repeatedly, a semi-dry top will let water in on descent. A fully dry snorkel would not solve this completely either, but some freedivers prefer a simple purge-only tube with no top valve at all. The Ergo Splash is designed for surface use, not repeated submersion.