How to Choose the Right Snorkel for You

Your Guide to buying the best Snorkel

Overview

A snorkel is an essential piece of swimming and diving gear that allows a person to swim and explore underwater. Whether you are an experienced underwater explorer or just starting to learn how to snorkel, a good quality snorkel is an essential piece of equipment. This buying guide provides an overview of the different types of snorkels available on the market, as well as a few tips and tricks on how to choose the best one for you. We’ll also provide a few key features to look out for when shopping for a snorkel, and a few useful items to consider when using a snorkel.

Key features

  1. Type of Snorkel - Consider whether you want a traditional snorkel, a dry snorkel, or a semi-dry snorkel. Each type of snorkel has its own advantages and disadvantages, such as traditional snorkels being easier to use but allowing more water to enter the tube, whereas dry snorkels are designed to prevent water from entering the tube.
  2. Flexibility - Look for a snorkel that is flexible enough to bend with you if you turn your head to the side while snorkeling.
  3. Size - Choose a snorkel that is the right size for you. It should fit your face comfortably and not be too large or too small.
  4. Breathing Tube - Make sure the snorkel has a long enough breathing tube so that you can reach the surface of the water easily.
  5. Valve System - Check that the snorkel has a dependable valve system, such as a purge valve or an anti-splash top, to help prevent water from entering the tube.
  6. Mouthpiece - Opt for a snorkel with a comfortable and ergonomic mouthpiece. It should fit snugly in your mouth and not cause any discomfort.
  7. Weight and Durability - Look for a snorkel that is lightweight but still durable enough to withstand regular use.
  8. Accessories - If you are purchasing a snorkel set, check for accessories that are included, such as a mask, fins, or a snorkel keeper.

See the most popular Snorkel on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Safety and Comfort - Snorkeling is a great way to explore a new ecosystem without having to worry about the safety of traditional scuba diving. Snorkeling is also much more comfortable, as you do not need to wear bulky tanks or air regulators.
  • Affordable Equipment - Snorkeling requires less specialized and expensive equipment, making it a great choice for budget-minded adventurers.
  • Easy to Learn - The basics of snorkeling are easy to learn, so you can be up and exploring in no time.
  • Vibrant Colorful World - The underwater world is full of vibrant and colorful wildlife and plants that can be seen with just a mask and snorkel.

Cons

  • Cost - Snorkelling gear can be expensive and includes many components such as a mask, snorkel, and fins.
  • Lack of Comfort - Snorkelling gear can be uncomfortable for some people, particularly those with larger faces or heads.
  • Safety - Snorkelling can be dangerous if proper safety precautions are not taken.
  • Maintenance - Snorkelling gear needs to be properly cleaned and maintained in order to ensure its longevity.

Best alternatives

  1. Scuba Diving Gear - Includes a variety of specialized gear and equipment for diving underwater, including a mask, fins, regulator, bcd, and weights.
  2. Free Diving Gear - Includes a face mask, snorkel, fins, and weights for diving below the surface without the use of external air tanks.
  3. Surf Gear - Includes items such as a wetsuit, surfboard, and boots for hitting the waves.
  4. Snorkel Vests - A floatation device specifically designed for snorkeling, allowing the user to stay afloat while snorkeling.
  5. Snorkel Masks - A mask designed to fit securely and provide an unobstructed view of the underwater environment.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Mask – A mask is an essential piece of snorkeling gear that covers the eyes and nose, allowing the wearer to see and breathe underwater.
  • Snorkel – A snorkel is a tube-like breathing apparatus that extends from the mask and allows the snorkeler to breathe while they are submerged.
  • Fins – Fins are an important part of a snorkeler’s gear, allowing them to move through the water quickly and efficiently.
  • Wetsuit – A wetsuit is a specialized piece of clothing that helps to keep the snorkeler warm while they are in the water.
  • Snorkeling Vest – A snorkeling vest is a buoyancy aid that helps the snorkeler stay afloat in the water and helps them to stay comfortable while snorkeling.
  • Weight Belt – A weight belt is a belt that holds weights around the waist and helps the snorkeler to stay submerged in the water.

Common questions

  1. What types of Snorkel are available?
    Snorkels come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, including flexible tubes that are designed to fit around the face, rigid tubes that may come in different colors, and snorkels with integrated mouthpieces.
  2. What features should I look for when purchasing a Snorkel?
    When purchasing a snorkel, look for features such as the ability to adjust the fit, a comfortable mouthpiece, a purge valve for easy clearing, a dry top to keep water out, and a large bore tube for easy breathing.
  3. How do I choose the right Snorkel size?
    The right size of snorkel will depend on the user’s face shape, size, and comfort level. When trying on a snorkel, make sure it fits comfortably around the face and doesn’t cause any discomfort.
  4. Are there any safety considerations when using a Snorkel?
    Yes, always make sure to read the safety instructions before using a snorkel. Additionally, snorkelers should know how to safely clear the snorkel of water and be aware of their surroundings in the water.

Trivia

Snorkel is known for its quirky and unique designs, and one example of this is its ‘Snorkel Car’. This vehicle was designed to reflect the company’s mission statement, ‘Dive Deeper’. The car was created with the help of engineers from NASA and was used to transport the Snorkel brand around the world raising awareness of the company and its mission. The car was launched in 2017 from the Snorkel headquarters in California and was subsequently seen in cities around the world, including London, Berlin, Tokyo, and Sydney. The car was designed to look like a Snorkel brand diving mask and was equipped with a special ‘Snorkel Wave’ sound system. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.