Buy Snorkel Gear !!HOT!!
We stock snorkel gear from 4 major suppliers, each offering a multitude of styles and colours - the task of choosing the right snorkeling gear can be daunting. Luckily our staff in the shops can help you find the perfect gear for years of snorkeling and diving fun - be prepared to spend a bit of time with us, trying everything on to make sure you get the perfect fit..
buy snorkel gear
The MaskThe mask is your window to the underwater world. It provides an air pocket so your eyes can focus and you can see clearly underwater. Your nose must be within the eye pocket so you can adjust for pressure changes (this is why swim goggles cannot be used for snorkeling). Look for masks that feature tempered glass lenses, double silicone skirts and wide, comfortable head straps with easy to adjust buckles. Depending on your personal preference and face features, options include single or double lens, side lenses, purge valve, black or clear silicone skirt....
Don't buy a cheap mask - they may look the same, but the things you can't see (quality of skirt and lens material) are just as important as those you can. It is one of your most important pieces of gear.
Once you are sure the mask seals correctly, make sure the skirt is not pressing up under your nose, that there is no pressure against the bridge of your nose or on your forehead between your eyes. Press the mask in towards your face and make sure it still feels good - when you are snorkeling or diving the water pressure will press the mask onto your face a bit.
Lastly, with your mask on with the strap around your head, put a snorkel or regulator mouthpiece in your mouth and see what happens to the seal. Sometimes after inserting the mouth piece a simple re-adjustment of the mask will allow it to seal properly again, but sometimes it is back to the shelf to choose another mask.
Finally, if you have found a mask that fits you perfectly, buy it! This is the one piece of equipment that can make or break your snorkeling experience so spending a little extra is well worth it if the mask fits well.How to Defog a MaskBefore using your mask for the first time, scrub the inside of the lens(es) with plain toothpaste (you can scrub with your tooth brush or a clean finger). The lenses need to be cleaned because there might be some anti-caking agent on it, used to mould the silicone skirt onto the mask, which will cause it to fog up very easily when snorkeling. Rinse thoroughly, preferrably with hot water afterwards. It is very good practice to repeat this clean throughout the life of your mask - dirt on the inside of the lens(es) will cause them to fog up.
The SnorkelThe snorkel lets you breathe with your face in the water. A snorkel should fit comfortably in your mouth with the tip at the crown of your head. The vast majority of snorkels will do this easily with minor adjustments, so your primary selection considerations are mouthpiece comfort and features.
Fins basically come in two typesThe Full Foot Fins, where you can slip in bare foot, are mostly used for snorkeling and diving in warm waters, and the Open Heel Fins (with neoprene boot), mostly used for scuba diving and colder waters, which are more comfortable and usually more powerful.
If you are planning to snorkel or dive in colder waters as well as our warm tropical waters, then an Open Heel Fin with a boot would be your choice. The same goes if your feet get cramped or blistered easily, or if you are just between sizes. Dive instructors, even in warmer waters, prefer open heel fins since they are more durable and, as most are designed for scuba diving, more models are designed to achieve a more powerful thrust which is sometimes needed for chasing after wandering guests.
Kids Snorkeling GearKids love snorkeling too! Our kids snorkeling gear is of the same quality as our adult snorkeling gear, but designed to fit smaller faces, mouths and feet. We even have snorkels with Dry Tops for the little ones.[top]Snorkeling Vest A snorkel vest floats you at the surface and adds visibility for safety. We prefer bright orange or yellow inflatable snorkel vests (not solid foam) - these allow you to have just the amount of air you need, or no air at all until you need it, so that you can still free dive to get a closer look at the underwater world.Snorkeling Bags Keep it together with a snorkeling bag. From simple mesh bags to dedicated over the shoulder bags with padded straps to mesh duffel bags for multiple sets, a snorkel bag will keep your snorkel gear in one place and make it easy to carry and clean after use.Lycra ProtectionA lycra Rash Guard will protect against contact from marine life (jelly fish). Look for ones that include a high sun protection rating for that added protection against sunburn.[top]
The following tips are based on my many experiences of snorkeling in different environments and trying different snorkel gear and accessories. I highly recommend trying your snorkel gear before your snorkeling session so you can ensure it suits you and 100% enjoy your snorkeling experience.
They can be a good option if you only plan to snorkel, but their design is not adapted to skin diving, scuba diving or exercising. Even just going down for a few meters can be challenging as you cannot pinch your nose to equalise. Plus, they are quite bulky so not suited if you want to travel light.
A snorkel mask strap cover will prevent pulling and tangling your hair. It will make your life easier by gently slipping on the back of your head when you put it on and off. No more strapped hair. Seriously, it was life-changing for me.
When you place your snorkel gear in your car, you may not want to leave it in the mesh bag. The mesh bag is perfect to keep wet gear ventilated, but the principle is that the water can go away from the bag.
Did you know that we lose heat four times faster in the water than in the air? So if you want to have long and comfortable snorkeling sessions, swimwear becomes an important part of having the best snorkel gear.
Be careful also to protect your head from the sun when you go snorkeling. I know someone who got a bad sunburn on their head and even lost hair because of it. Since, I often use a cap or a bandana when I go snorkelling.
If you like to free dive, you may consider adding a weight belt to your snorkel gear. Wearing a weight belt will allow you to go down more easily and stay down without having to kick too much. Both advantages are good for saving air and effort.
Finally, you may be interested in adding accessories to your weight belt. I particularly like the weight keeper with a D-ring* that prevents the weight from moving on your belt and, when coupled with a clip*, gives you an opportunity to secure your gear (camera or torch for example).
If your keys are not electronic, you may want to take the risk and keep them with you when you go snorkeling. Then a waterproof container may be a good solution. Make sure to double-check the size of the box you purchase as some keys are a lot bigger than others and cheaper boxes tend to be very small.
The quality of your snorkeling gear depends on its design, materials, and manufacturing. A high-quality snorkel, mask, and fins will be comfortable, durable, and much safer to use than gear of questionable quality.
If the only snorkeling you plan on doing in Hawaii is through a tour, chances are that all the snorkeling gear you need will be included with your tour price. (Confirm this, though, by reading the snorkeling tour description carefully!)
With over thirty years of combined snorkeling experience, we know that good snorkel equipment makes all the difference in how much you enjoy your time in the water. Nothing will ruin your time like a leaky mask, not being able to breathe freely in a full face mask, a snorkel that floods easily, fins that blister your feet, or getting a bad sunburn.
On these pages you will learn what snorkeling equipment you need and how to get a perfect fit, so that you can have a wonderful experience snorkeling. The right fitting snorkel gear gets out of your way, out of your mind, and enables you to relax and focus on the great stuff underwater. We also have some suggestions for non-essential gear that will increase your comfort and organization while snorkeling.
We Only Recommend Gear We Use Ourselves or Have TestedWe love our gear, and recommend snorkel equipment we use ourselves. We also test new snorkeling gear on every trip, so that you have honest, real, hands-on (and feets-on) reviews. If we talk about a piece of gear we have not used, we tell you.
Snorkel masks come in a variety of styles, sizes and materials. We suggest you ignore features to start, and get the mask that fits you perfectly. Our snorkel mask buying guide will walk you through everything you need to know to select the right mask for you. We suggest specific tested masks that fit different face shapes. Also learn your options, from how many lenses a mask has, mask volume, and the pros and cons of skirt material and colors.
If you are just starting, buying all your essential snorkel equipment in one set can save you a lot of money on your snorkel equipment. It just may not all fit as good as selecting each part individually. See our tips on saving money this way, and our suggested sets.
The snorkel equipment below may not be essential, but you might be a bit crazy not to have and use it. Protection from the sun in particular deserves your full attention. And if you are not a good swimmer, or have health issues, then a flotation device is critical to have.
We have used many different sunscreens for snorkeling, and have done careful side-by-side tests to see which ones are the most water-resistant and provide the best protection. Read all about these tests and find out what products won. 041b061a72