What do you need to go snorkeling?

Fins, a mask and a snorkel.  Even though we provide links to companies that sell snorkeling equipment, we don't recommend that you buy you fins or a mask from them.  Your fins and mask need to fit you and the best way to make sure they do is to go to your local dive shop and try them on there.  Once you find ones that fit.  Buy them there.  

The Mask

Your mask needs to fit your face.  How do you tell if a mask fits?  Hold it up to your face (don't put the strap behind your head) and inhale slightly through your nose.  Let go of the mask and it should stay in place.  Get a mask with a diaphragm or purge valve that lets you clear water from it. .

Here's a tip for those of you with mustaches, (like me).  To keep water from leaking into the mask when you're snorkeling, apply chapstick to your mustache and work it in with your fingers.  The water will eventually leak in but this will keep it out for at least 10 to 15 minutes at a time.  

Here's what Dan Volker of the  South Florida Dive Journal has to say about masks for snorkeling:

Low volume freediving masks cost about $50, and are infinitely better than scuba masks for freediving or snorkeling. They "seal" extremely well--its a much bigger problem to clear a leaky mask when snorkeling than when scuba diving. Good sources include Cressi, Omer, Esclapez, and Picasso---forget any name scuba brand except Cressi. Most scuba manufacturers know little ... about snorkeling. This ... gets passed along to most dive shops...

The Fins

Fins should fit snugly when you try them on in the dive shop.  Once you're in the water, the water lubricates them and keeps them from chafing.  Don't buy open heel fins.  That's like buying those skates that fit on your shoes instead of roller skates.  Whatever fins you buy should be reasonable priced, there's no real reason to spend a lot of money on fins for snorkeling. 

Some more thoughts from Dan (he agrees with me):

Keep people from buying open heel scuba fins, when they should be buying full foot freediving fins (and if they can't afford this, find better substitutes than scuba fins).

The Snorkel

Get a snorkel with a purge diaphragm to remove water from the snorkel after you dive down to look at something particularly interesting.  Snorkels can be bought over the internet or by mail-order since they truly come in one size fits all. 

Dan's thoughts:

Prevent new people from being suckered into buying the crappy flexible hose snorkels---they need straight J's that allow a turn in the top part (allows the tube to point straight up if you are looking straight down in the water--and if you want to swim looking forward instead, you rotate the tube to allow a new position of the tube which effects a straight up snorkel top)....Scubapro makes one called the Breeze an easy purge version can be used if the co-ordination of clearing the snorkel could be an issue.

The Summary

That's it.  Mask, fins and snorkel and you're ready to go.  Other accessories include a knife, wrist strap for your keys, duffel bag, dive flag, wet suit, duffel bag, camera... but the big three are mask, fins and snorkel.  The Accessories page has information on what to look for if you still have money left over or just want to look like a pro..  Hope this helped you outfit yourself for your first snorkeling adventure or to upgrade your equipment.  

Camera

Want to take underwater pictures?  You'll need a camera.  Go to the Photo Tips page for information on what to look for.