The Best Snorkel Gear Worthy of Your Next Underwater Adventure

Rated as the best hobbyist snorkel mask by Dive In magazine, this easily adjustable snorkel is considered one of the most comfortable masks for the price and intended audience. The mask has two separate lenses, which makes cleaning and defogging easier. Made from durable tempered glass, the lenses are low-profile (i.e. they don't bug out) so provide an even greater field of view. Do keep face shape in mind: Reviewers say it fits narrow faces best.

More than 150 reviews on Amazon, and this $19 snorkel mask still has more than a four-star average. Even professional scuba divers praise the quick-adjust straps and soft, double-sealed silicone skirt that prevents leaks. You'll want to be careful to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for defogging the mask before first use as, like many high-quality masks, there is a film that has to be removed before use for best performance. The mask can reach depths of 98 feet, and you can add on a dry snorkel if you want to kill two birds with one stone.

This foldable mask's five-star Amazon rating is the shopping equivalent of a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes—near impossible to do unless you’ve got a genre-defining blockbuster. You’ll notice this mask is a full-face version, and that does come with some caveats. Namely, it’s best used for relatively mellow swimming, and you should definitely be aware that there are safety concerns about this style of mask. There is a one-way valve so that you can do mild dives and avoid water in your mask. Reviewers love that it has a detachable mount for a GoPro, doesn’t fog up, and that the mask’s medical-grade silicone sealant is supple against the face (it also seals around beards just fine).

Because kids have smaller faces, finding a mask designed especially for them is important. This frameless, 100% silicone mask works best for kids ages seven and up, according to reviewers; younger kids may struggle to get a good seal. A single layer of tempered glass gives children an excellent view of everything from sea creatures to the bottom of the pool. The silicone nose pocket makes it easy for kids to equalize their ears underwater, and the straps are extra easy to adjust. If you’re an adult with a small face, there’s no reason this wouldn’t work well for you, too.

If what you want out of your fins is power, the Aqua Lung Express full-length flippers will get you there. The secret sauce here is that the fins are made from two different materials to increase your ability to cut through the water. There’s also a joint in the mid-foot that reduces the pressure on ankles when kicking. When you’re out of the water, you’ll be grateful for the non-slip material on the bottom of the flippers that will keep you from wiping out on a ship deck. Plus, these fins come in six different colors.

Size does matter—when it comes to traveling with fins, that is. Because these fins by CAPAS are shorter than most styles, they’ll take up less room in your luggage; reviewers report they fit in carry-ons and aren’t especially heavy. This fin is flexible enough to be worn barefoot or with diving boots if you’re going deep in cold water. Choosing a pair with an adjustable back like these will also give you the flexibility of loaning them to friends or family.

This is a classic fin style by heritage brand Cressi. As this is a closed-heel fin, it's extra-important that you’re sized correctly, but beyond that, the fin will help you do the rest. Reviews are glowing from customers who've done everything from casual snorkels to 80-foot dives in these fins. They do seem to be stiffer than some other brands, so if you prefer a floppier fin, you might want to consider another one on the list.

Another closed-heel option, this kid version is made of rubber so that the fins float. If your kid has a habit of kicking off their flippers and going barefooted or doesn’t like the feeling of being dragged down by big fins, these will be a hit. They’re also relatively compact and can be fit into smaller kiddie luggage. Reviewers especially love that the heel cup is soft and somewhat stretchy, so there’s room for kids to grow before they need to be replaced. (As far as how quickly they grow out of their clothes, well…there’s not much these fins can do about that.)

This is your basic, classic J-shaped snorkel, with one difference: It’s bendy as heck. This model can be rolled up into a small circle, which means more room in your bag for vacation clothes. Despite its bendiness, it still hold its shape even in choppy waters, according to owners. Folks also really love the built-in clip that can easily attach and detach the snorkel from your mask. In addition to its comfy flexibility, perks include a compact size and inexpensive price. 

Unlike traditional J-style snorkels, this dry snorkel can go totally under without letting water in. If some does happen to sneak in, a purge valve helps drain it back out. There’s also an emergency whistle in case you ever need to get someone’s attention in the water—you know, in case there’s a sea turtle or a school of beautiful rainbow fish to point out. Reviewers say the mouthpiece is comfortable and that the snorkel doesn’t leak. In case you’re particular about your color themes, this snorkel comes in twelve different colors, from all-black to all-clear, and each of them is under $25.

Cressi's dry snorkel is actually priced similarly to our budget pick, but with more bells and whistles. For example, in addition to being totally submergible, there’s also a handy splash guard on the top of the snorkel to keep waves (or frothy kicks from an overeager swimmer) from getting inside, too. Reviewers especially like that the lower half of the snorkel is flexible, which makes it more comfortable than totally stiff snorkels. Like the other dry model on the list, it also has a purge valve for easy clearing should some water get in.

Again, smaller faces mean smaller gear. This is Cressi's kid version of the previous dry snorkel and has the same splash protection, flexible mouth guard area, and purge valve. Because the snorkel is bendy at the bottom, it’s easy to position away from it away from the face when your kids aren’t using it—meaning they're less likely to rip it off the second they’re not underwater and that there's (hopefully) a smaller chance of getting lost or left behind on the beach. Reviewers praised it for kids as young as three years old to as old as 12.

We praised Cressi’s individual pieces above, so of course we’re going to give you the thumbs up for the all-in-one version. The gear geniuses over at The Wirecutter praised the set's no-fuss, leak-free mask; its portability; and even the bag that comes with it. 

Beyond offering smaller gear to fit smaller snorkelers, this set for kids also comes with a fun fish-shaped backpack to stoke excitement. It may even be cute enough that they won't make you carry it for them. You’ll want to teach kids how to use and clear the dry snorkel since it’s not as straightforward as a classic snorkel. Reviewers also report that their kids were able to dive without problems and that the mask is easy to adjust. The flippers are relatively short for simple packing and less tripping when your kid gets back on the boat or wanders around a pool.

If we’re going based on Amazon reviews alone, this is the snorkel set that blows the others out of the water (see what we did there?). The open-heeled fins are easy to share, a cinch to pack, and more than enough to power the casual swimmer through the water. Reviewers suggest positioning the mask straps high on your head for the best seal. Bonus: The bag that comes as part of this kit is big enough to store your snorkel gear as well as a few other items like a water bottle or sunscreen, so no need to lug around a big beach bag.