Best snorkeling gear for beginners
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Finding the best snorkeling gear for beginners can be tricky, with so much variety out there it’s hard to find the right snorkel set for you. Luckily, we have put together a list of the best snorkeling gear for beginners.
If you are new to snorkeling it’s important to find the right equipment so you get the best experience. Whenever we go away we always bring our own snorkeling gear, as you never know what you are going to get when you go on snorkeling excursions.
When we went on our first tropical holiday to the Caribbean we decided to do a snorkeling tour. However due to my husband having a leaking mask it ruined our experience. Many tour operators use cheap snorkeling gear that are worn, broken and rarely get replaced.
Ever since then we have researched and purchased our own snorkeling gear and have never looked back.
The one we currently have is the X-Lounger dry snorkel mask which provides 180° viewing area making it the biggest of any snorkel mask on the market. It also provides a handy attachment for your Go Pro or other underwater camera.
Best snorkeling gear for beginners comparison table
Below is a list of the best snorkeling gear for beginners. Click on the product for more information and to check prices.
| Product details | Image | |
|---|---|---|
Seaview Dry snorkel mask
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X-Lounger snorkel mask
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Go Pro Hero 6
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Campark action camera
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Seavenger Snorkel set
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Compact snorkel fins
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Antifog Spray
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Floating Waterproof Case
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Swim socks
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Kids wetsuit
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What to look for when buying snorkeling gear
Here’s our top tips for what you need to know when buying the best snorkeling gear for beginners.
1. Buy a good snorkel
Getting good equipment is very important as you will feel more confident and comfortable in the water. Not only will your snorkeling gear will last longer and you can take it on all your holidays and save money on snorkel hire.
2. Get a dry snorkel set
Try to spend a little more money and get a dry snorkel set with a splash guard, this is ideal for a beginner. There is another worse than having a flood of sea water down the pipe and into your mouth. This can be pretty dangerous especially if you are a beginner as panic can set in. There is a special valve on a dry snorkel that seals shut when your snorkel goes underwater.
3. Get fins that fit
Make sure you fit fins and are snug around your feet, but not too tight. Having fins that don’t fit can be dangerous if they fall off in the ocean. I wouldn’t even go snorkeling without fins, they are there for your safety and offer a huge amount of swimming force that will save you a lot of energy.
4. Get anti fog
As snorkeling beginners we have all been there when your mask fogs up. Before you set out grab some anti fog and apply to your mask to prevent your mask misting up while out snorkeling. It only takes a few minutes to apply and saves you having to clear your mask constantly.
5. Consider a camera attachment
Some snorkeling gear now come with head attachments for Go Pro and other underwater action cameras. Personally I think it’s a good option to have so you can concentrate on your swimming and have no distractions.
6. Get the right size
When purchasing your snorkeling gear make sure you get your head size right so the mask fits nicely. As a beginner you want to make sure everything fits as it should.
7. Order in advance
Be sure to try and order your snorkeling gear in advance, just to be sure everything fits correctly and even test the mask in the bath for any leaks. Better to be safe than sorry.
Review of the best snorkeling gear for beginners
We have reviewed and collected the best snorkeling gear for beginners for you. Checkout the list below, we have hand picked the best masks, fins, underwater camera and much more for the best snorkeling experience for your next holiday.
Seaview 180° Dry Snorkel Mask
The Seaview snorkel mask is ideal for beginners, it offers a 180° panoramic viewing, making it the biggest of any snorkel mask on the market guaranteeing that you will see more fish and sea creatures than ever before. The mask has an integrated Go Pro mount allowing you to capture the adventure in high definition. Most importantly the snorkel mask uses dry snorkel technology, preventing water getting into your mouth. Spend less time worrying and more time having fun with this great snorkel mask, it looks great and feels great.
X-Lounger 180° Dry Mask
This snorkel mask offers the same as the previous mask with the added advantage of a foldable pipe and a snorkel travel bag. The X-Lounger featured a full face snorkel mask allows you to breath via nose or mouth rather than breathing through a tube in your mouth. The mask has anti-fog coating on the lens and also hosts anti-fog inserts to prevent the mask fogging up when snorkeling. Available in a range of sizes and colours to suit your needs.
Go Pro Hero 6 Waterproof Camera
A must have for snorkeling is a waterproof action camera such as a Go Pro Hero, allowing you to capture all your snorkeling adventures in stunning crystal clear 4K video. You can even send your footage to your phone and create quick stories and edit the video. The Go Pro Hero 6 also offers the most advanced video stabilisation yet capturing super smooth footage.
Campark Waterproof Action camera
If you can’t afford or don’t want to pay that much money for a Go Pro Hero, then fear not. The Campark action camera is a great Go Pro alternative. It features a ultra wide angle lens, 16MP camera and 4K video recording. You can even control the camera in real time allowing you to instantly share and send content to anyone. It comes jam packed with mounting accessories and rechargeable batteries. Unbelievable value for money!
Seavenger Snorkeling Set
A great snorkeling set for beginners especially ones who want the more traditional snorkeling mask and not the full face option. Firstly this snorkeling set is incredible value for money, as it includes your mask, pipe, fins and a travel bag. The Seavenger also has a convenient splash guard that seals as you descend underwater, preventing water going into your mouth. The set comes in all different sizes and colours making it a great choice for girls, boys and adults alike.
Wildhorn Topside Snorkel Fins
Say goodbye to blistering in these super comfortable fins, as you spend all day snorkeling and swimming. You can easily walk on land with these fins, so no more awkward waddling in and out of the water. Great stylish fins for beginners and kids, we highly recommend investing in some swimming socks as well for extra protection and comfort.
Quick Spit Anti-fog
There is nothing worse than your mask fogging up when snorkeling, however you can easily prevent this with a quick application of anti fog spray. Quick Spit anti fog is long lasting, non toxic all natural forumla making it an essential part of your snorkeling set, especially for beginners.
Mpow Floating Waterproof Case
If you don’t fancy getting an action camera, why not invest in a super cheap waterproof case for your phone. You can fully operate your phone under water while snorkleing easily switching between phone and video mode. Be sure to test your case in the bath (with no phone inside obviously) before going snorkeling.Better safe than sorry!
Neo Sport swim socks
Swimming socks are a great addition if you are going snorkeling with fins. They help keep for feet warm and avoid chafing and getting any blisters on your feet. There are a wide range of sizes to choose from for kids and adults.
Neo Sport wetsuit
Children wear wetsuits because they think they are “COOL” which helps us keep peace of mind knowing they are protected from the sun. Having a wetsuit when snorkeling not only helps protect us from the sun, but they keep us warm and helps with buoyancy.
So now you know the best snorkeling products for beginners. We hope by using a combination of the products you will get the best possible experience out of your next snorkeling adventure. We recommend that the best snorkeling set for beginners is using a combination of the Seaview panoramic dry face mask and purchasing the snorkel fins seperate
Snorkeling tips for beginners
Here are our best snorkeling tips for beginners to stay safe and get the most out of your snorkeling experience.
1. Buy a good quality snorkel set
As mentioned earlier it’s best to get good a snorkeling set for beginners. As they will last longer, can be re-used on multiple holidays and will save you money in the long run.
2. Practice first
Once you have picked the best snorkeling set it’s a good idea to practice and get used to it. It can be strange at first to get used to breathing through a snorkel underwater. Get familiar with the mask, finding the right tightness and positioning. A swimming pool is a good place to start as there are no waves to put you off balance.
3. Pick a good location
Choose somewhere calm and relaxed for your first adventure snorkeling in the ocean. Choose to snorkel from a beach rather than a boat as the waves wont be as rough and you can probably stand up.
4. Check the conditions
Be sure to understand ocean currents, waves and surge. Always be safe, if the sea looks rough or the weather conditions are getting bad then don’t risk it. If you are unsure check for warnings with a lifeguard, excursion operator or at the hotel.
5. Snorkel in shallow and calm waters
Don’t venture too far out on your first snorkeling experience. Stay close to the shore in calm waters and get familiar with your surroundings and your equipment.
6. Snorkel near others
If you do decide to venture out a little more, try sticking close to other groups or fellow snorkelers. The ocean is a big place and you can feel overwhelmed out on your own.
7. Relax
Swim slowly and relax, exhaustion is a common problem for beginners. Float around and use your fins to do the hard work for you. Keep your breathing at a nice clam rhythm and enjoy the experience.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you,
we earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
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