EDITOR'S PICKS
MORE PICKS TO CHOOSE FROM
- Best Open-Top Snorkels | Speedo | Find On Amazon
- Best Traditional Mask | Speedo | Find On Target
- Best Full face Snorkel Mask | Ocean Reef | Find On Amazon
- Best Snorkeling Fins | Cressi | Find On Amazon
- Best Anti-Fog Mask Cleaner | Stream2Sea | Find On Amazon
- Best Men's Wetsuit | O'Neill | Find On Backcountry
- Best Women's Wetsuit | Roxy | Find On Amazon
- Best Snorkel Vest | Scuba Choice | Find On Amazon
- Best Surface Marker Buoy or Dive Flag | DiveSafe | Find On Amazon
Endless sunshine, palm-fringed beaches, and lush scenery are a tropical vacation's must-haves. Whether you need a serious break or are looking for the next destination to explore, tropical spots can be affordable, relaxing, and fun. Perfect for both romantic getaways and family fun.
When it comes to tropical vacations, snorkeling is a must-do excursion. There is nothing quite like peeking at and discovering the underwater world through snorkeling and scuba diving. While diving underneath gives you an unforgettable experience, investing in the best snorkel gear brings your experience to the next level.
By having your own snorkel gear, you can use them over and over during your vacation and beyond. While most vacation spots allow you to rent snorkeling gear, they don't always carry a wide array of sizes. Not to mention, many others have used the same snorkeling equipment.
The snorkeling gear checklist is minimal and worth adding to your packing list for your next tropical vacation. We have some research for you if you are considering investing in your own snorkeling gears. Here are some of the best snorkeling gear on the market.
The 12 Best Snorkeling Gear Selections
Cressi Light Weight Premium Travel Snorkel Set
Best Snorkeling Gear Set
overall
Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
Cost
Features:
While you can shop snorkel gear in individual pieces, a snorkel set offers great value. In addition, a gear set will pair well together, and it is convenient for those new to snorkeling or planning on traveling with their gear.
You must check out Cressi LightWeight Premium Travel Snorkel Set for anyone seeking a snorkel gear set. The set includes:
An Onda single-tempered glass lens goggle that is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving. A double feathered edge gives this mask an excellent seal and gives you clear underwater vision.
A Palau Short Adjustable fin works just like its counterpart Long Blade Palau fin, except it has a compact, shorter blade. The open heel can be used for bare feet or with neoprene socks. The foot pocket and the strap are made from long-lasting rubber that ensures a comfortable fit.
The Supernova Dry Snorkel is a dry-top snorkel with a splash guard on top to prevent water. The top also features a special valve that seals the tube when diving when it's fully submerged.
The set also comes with a travel bag! It makes traveling with snorkel equipment much easier. Having portable gear that travels well is crucial as it protects your gear and makes packing a breeze.
This set is perfect for adults, men, and women. When buying snorkel gear, it's important to take the necessary measurements to ensure you can get the perfect one, as size matters!
Material
Tempered Glass, Silicone, Neoprene
Weight
2.85 Pounds
Dimensions
16.1" l x 9.1" w x 0.6" h
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Cressi Alpha Ultra Dry Snorkel
Best Dry Snorkels
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Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
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Dry snorkels will keep out the maximum amount of water. A splash guard, purge valve, and seal prevent water from entering the breathing tube. This makes a dry snorkel the perfect option to fully submerge underwater without the need to continue cleaning out the water.
With a dry-top design and comfortable mouthpiece, Cressi's Alpha Ultra Dry Snorkel makes an excellent option for lengthy snorkeling adventures. Designed to prevent water entry while using it on the surface in any position.
Constructed from high-quality soft silicone, it features a wider elliptical bore shaped for increased airflow capacity and comfortable breathing. Soft silicone and ergonomically angled mouthpiece designed for prolonged use without gum and jaw fatigue. With a lower purge value and 360-degree dry top, it clears and prevents water entry regardless of the angle of the snorkel when you surface dive. Use the adjustable clip to secure it to your face mask strap before you hit the waves.
Perfect for free-diving, spearfishing, and any snorkeler who likes to dive deeper.
Material
silicone
Weight
179 Grams
Dimensions
15.75" l x 3.94" w x 1.57" h
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Atomic Aquatics SV2 Semi-Dry Snorkel
Best Semi-dry snorkels
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Durability
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Unlike the dry snorkel, semi-dry snorkels come with a splash guard and purge valve to prevent water from getting inside. But they don't create a watertight seal when fully submerged.
This Atomic Aquatic Semi-Dry Snorkel is worth the splurge as it features a scupper valve for self-draining and easy clearing. A silicone mouthpiece with a rotational design prevents over-clenching from minimizing jaw fatigue. A semi-dry top design prevents splashes from entering the tube without adding drag when you're fully submerged.
This type is the perfect choice for scuba divers, as they create less drag than buoyant dry snorkels do.
Material
silicone
Weight
N/A
Dimensions
N/A
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Speedo Bullet Head Snorkel
Best Open-Top Snorkels
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Durability
Ease of Use
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The open-top snorkels are exactly what they sound like. It consists of a J-shaped snorkel tube and a mouthpiece, and it doesn't have a purge valve, splash guard, or watertight seal—this type of snorkel is an ideal choice for freediving and beginner snorkelers.
Engineered with hydrodynamic features, Speedo Bullet Head Snorkel allows you to focus on proper body position and head alignment during swimming. Its low-profile design maximizes your field of vision with minimal drag. A padded TPR headband holds your snorkel securely in place with an adjustable strap that eliminates headaches and pinching.
Material
100% Silicone
Weight
0.25 pounds
Dimensions
1" l x 1" w x 1" h
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Speedo Explorer Dive Mask
Best Traditional Mask
overall
Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
Cost
Features:
Traditional snorkeling masks are affordable and provide you with what you need to snorkel. This Speedo's affordable Explorer Dive Mask offers excellent underwater clarity. Its two-window glass lenses enhance your visibility underwater while a tight seal around the edge locks out water for a leak-free swim. An adjustable head strap ensures a comfortable fit on every face shape and head size.
Material
Polycarbonate, Rubber, Silicone
Weight
.54 Pounds
Dimensions
7.87" h x 8.66" w x 3.93" d
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Ocean Reef Aria QR+ Full Face Snorkeling Mask
Best Full face Snorkel Mask
overall
Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
Cost
Features:
Full masks are also known as dry masks and are ideal for snorkelers who don't like getting their face wet or biting onto a mouthpiece. Some will say this type of mask is the best snorkel mask to have. The unique design of a full snorkel mask allows snorkelers to breathe normally and be able to enjoy 180-degree vision. Unlike traditional masks, full-face snorkel masks are more expensive.
Streamline your snorkeling gear with the Ocean Reef Aria QR+ Full Face Snorkeling Mask. The 2-in-1 snorkel mask boasts a patented dry-top breathing system and special air circulation system that prevents your mask from fogging up when you exhale or filling with water when you're fully submerged. Comfortable and flexible, it offers an unobstructed 180-degree view of your underwater surroundings.
Material
N/A
Weight
1.87 pounds
Dimensions
11.81" l x 8.27" w x 4.33" h
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Cressi Open-Heel Snorkel Fins
Best Snorkeling Fins
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Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
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Features:
Cressi's Open-Heel Snorkel Fins utilize a patented three-material injection molding process for superior comfort and durability. Sturdy adjustable straps wrap behind your heel for total support and security. They're comfortable, versatile, and worth every penny.
Material
N/A
Weight
1.56 pounds
Dimensions
33" l x 12" w x 5" h
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Stream2Sea Reef-Friendly Biodegradable Mask Defogger
Best Anti-Fog Mask Cleaner
overall
Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
Cost
Features:
No one wants to snorkel with a foggy mask on. Unfortunately, things like greasy sunscreen, fingerprints, and other particles can also affect your vision. The good news is there are a few ways you can prevent a foggy mask, and one is a defogger.
Stream2Sea's professional-strength Mask Defogger is formulated with biodegradable, reef-safe ingredients that won't harm the marine life you love. Simply add a few drops to the inside of your lenses, rub, and you're ready to hit the water. Non-abrasive and ammonia-free, the USDA-Certified bio-based product is safe for use on all glass and plastic lenses.
Material
Natural Ingredients
Weight
.07 pounds
Dimensions
4.17" l x 3.39" w x 1.3" h
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O'Neill Epic Back-Zip Full Wetsuit
Best Men's Wetsuit
overall
Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
Cost
Features:
Depending on the temperature and UV index, you may want to wear a rash guard or wetsuit for your snorkeling activity. A wetsuit can provide warmth and some sun protection.
Stay warm no matter the water temperature with O'Neill's Epic Back Zip Full Wetsuit. It's made from SuperStretch neoprene with lightweight thermal insulation, abrasion-resistant knee pads, watertight seams, and strategic paddle zones. An external key pocket ensures easy access and secure storage during your adventure.
Material
UltraFlex DS (neoprene), FluidFlex Firewall (neoprene), Krypto
Weight
N/A
Dimensions
N/A
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Roxy 3/2 mm Syncro Back-Zip GBS Wetsuit
Best woMen's Wetsuit
overall
Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
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Features:
Stay warm snorkeling with this Roxy 3/2 mm Syncro Back-Zip GBS Wetsuit for all the ladies. The versatile winter wetsuit is crafted from FN Lite neoprene, and this Syncro 3/2mm steamer is packed with naturally occurring air cells that make it the lightest, warmest wetsuit yet! Perfect for packing in your suitcase for your next underwater adventure.
Material
Neoprene
Weight
2.4 pounds
Dimensions
n/a
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Scuba Choice Snorkeling Vest
Best Snorkel Vest
overall
Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
Cost
Features:
Snorkeling vests are designed for snorkeling, as they can help you dive down deeper or stay on the surface. It can also help balance your body in water so you can stay floating.
Available in both children's and adult sizes, Scuba Choice's versatile Snorkeling Vest makes a practical addition to your gear bag— and an affordable one too. The straightforward personal floatation device features a TPU-reinforced nylon body with an adjustable strap and easy oral inflator. Snorkelers can choose between highly-visible, safety-driven colors like neon yellow, hot pink, and electric purple.
Material
N/A
Weight
.05 pounds
Dimensions
N/A
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DiveSafe Surface Marker Buoy
Best Surface Marker Buoy or Dive Flag
overall
Quality
Durability
Ease of Use
Cost
Features:
Whether you are a pro and snorkeling in open water or new to snorkeling, a dive flag or surface maker can be very useful and worth adding to your snorkel gear. Some areas even have a law requiring snorkelers to wear one.
Equipped with reflective bands and strobe light/ flashlight holders, DiveSafe's Surface Marker Buoy helps you dive safely, day and night. The 6-ft inflatable buoy is made from ultra-durable nylon fabric with reinforced stitching and a TPU coating for superior strength. Its 100-ft-long spool is contained in a practical mesh bag that connects easily to your life jacket or buoyancy control device.
Material
Nylon Fabric
Weight
1.19 pounds
Dimensions
1" l x 1" w x 4" h
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