Whether you’re a beginner snorkeler or an advanced diver, selecting the right piece of gear is an important choice. In this review, we’ll dive into the details of various snorkel designs, examining their features, performance, and suitability for different snorkeling styles.
From classic J-shaped snorkels to cutting-edge dry models, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each option, helping you make an informed decision.
Comfort and functionality are key factors, so we’ll explore topics like mask clips, mechanisms to keep the snorkel dry, and innovative features that enhance your breathing experience. Additionally, we’ll provide practical tips on maintenance and care to ensure your snorkel remains in top shape.
With our expert insights and recommendations, you’ll be ready to take the plunge. So, let’s dive into the snorkels and discover the perfect companion for your next underwater escapade!
Review of Oceanic Pocket Snorkel Snorkel review
The Oceanic Pocket Snorkel folds up to fit perfectly inside of a BCD pocket. This snorkel is a unique choice because of its flexibility. The innovative design and durable band allow divers to fold up their snorkel with ease. It’s great for travelers and simple to store.
Additionally, the silicone rubber mouth piece is very comfortable. A top deflector blocks incoming waves without sacrificing too much breathability. This is an excellent back- up snorkel, especially for divemasters, instructors, and charter operators.
Review of TUSA SP 0101 Hyperdry Elite II Snorkel Snorkel review
The TUSA SP 0101 Hyperdry Elite II is a good choice for divers who want to keep water out of their snorkels.
The mechanism on this snorkel is highly advanced. There is a lever in the splash guard that covers the snorkel via a buoyant tab, and that floats as you descend. This way, when you return to the surface after your dive, you won’t have to clear your snorkel at all. The lever handily prevents water from entering by not allowing the air to escape.
The splash guard is, however, a little bit constrictive and may prevent the diver from clearing the dead air space. Divers should be aware to make sure it doesn’t leak.
Review of Scubapro Escape Semi-Dry Snorkel Snorkel review
The Scubapro Escape Semi-Dry snorkel is designed to facilitate deep breathing. The snorkel features a relatively open splash guard, which allows a diver to breathe easily while still protecting them from waves. The membrane in the purge valve may be susceptible to accumulating debris, such as sand and salt. Be careful to clean it and make sure it doesn’t leak.
At an MSRP of $51 this snorkel is on the higher end of the market, but it does seem durable and likely to last for many dives. The mask clip on this snorkel has a quick-release button for the diver’s convenience.
Review of Akona Jakarta Snorkel Snorkel review
The Akona Jakarta is our pick for the best J-tube snorkel on the market. The J-shape naturally frames a diver’s face and proves to be an effective, simple snorkel. The J-tube itself is made of semi-rigid plastic, which is great for travelers who need to pack their snorkels.
The plastic Akona used to construct the tube is thick and feels durable. Without a splash guard, divers can breathe freely through the snorkel. There is a purge valve at the base of the snorkel for quick clearing. The simple, hardy design means this snorkel will last for a long time and prove to be a reliable piece of gear.
Review of Sherwood Cai Semi-Dry Snorkel Snorkel review
The Sherwood Cai Semi-Dry is one of the most comfortable snorkels on the market. The mouthpiece has a special silicone addition that presses into the snorkeler’s hard palate. This makes the snorkel feel secure, even during rough surface conditions.
An innovative splash guard keeps the inner snorkel dry even during waves. What sets this piece apart is the superior airflow when compared to other splash guards on the market. Divers should note that it may be difficult to clean the purge valve, however, due to the plastic grate that sits over it.
In addition, the simple push of a button easily connects or disconnects your mask from your snorkel. This is great if you want to keep it in your BCD pocket during a dive for the ultimate hydrodynamic set up.
Review of Genesis Hydra Snorkel Snorkel Snorkel review
We chose this snorkel as the best dry option because it stays completely dry underwater without sacrificing breathability. Snorkelers can have faith in their snorkel as waves top overhead or their body dips under the water. Additionally, it operates smoothly in comparison to other snorkels on the market and allows the diver to breathe comfortably.
Review of Cressi Supernova Dry Snorkel Snorkel review
With all the gear it takes to go scuba diving, divers may want to cut their costs by choosing a cost-effective snorkel. The Cressi Supernova Dry is a great option,suited to a wide range of environments. This snorkel is particularly tall, so it will be higher than a lot of waves, even amidst rough conditions. The snorkel is so tall, however, that it may be difficult for a diver to breathe deep enough to prevent the creation of a dead air space.
Furthermore, the splash guard protects inhalations—a particularly notable addition at this price. Another great feature of this snorkel is the special valve on top that seals the airway during your dive. When you come up, you can breathe into your snorkel without clearing it.
Review of Mares Ergo Splash Snorkel Snorkel review
We found the Mares Ergo Splash to be a functional semi-dry snorkel, and best of all, it comes in so many different color choices that divers can choose a snorkel that stands out. The Ergo Splash is constructed with several different materials, including a flexible lower half and a hard upper half.
More features include a splash guard to protect the diver from incoming waves, and a flexible lower tube that increases comfort in the water. Finally, a soft silicone piece stabilizes the snorkel against the diver’s mouth.
Note, however, that there is a well at the bottom of the snorkel where excess water may collect. Divers should be aware that this chamber can create a dead air space unless they are breathing properly. Also, over time the membrane over the purge valve will weaken and allow water to creep in. After one use the membrane was already showing some wear and tear.
There are several different types of snorkels to choose from, depending on what you require and what type of activity you’ll be taking part in. Will you stay completely on the surface or will you dive down? Will you be wearing the snorkel as part of your dive gear, or on its own? Listed are the most common types of snorkels and what to look for in each.
Types of Snorkels
Classic Snorkel
The classic snorkel is sometimes referred to as a ‘J-style’ snorkel. This snorkel consists of a simple plastic tube with a mouthpiece attached. It is usually slightly bent, however, it can also be adjusted into a more specific shape to suit the owner.
A classic J-style snorkel is by far the most affordable type available and can be used for both scuba diving as well as snorkeling. This snorkel is slightly more rigid than other types of snorkels, which can make it a bit less comfortable than other types. Also note that if you’re on the surface and a J-style snorkel becomes completely submerged, the tube will fill with water. You’ll have to take a deep breath and forcefully expel the water out the top in order to use it again. A classic J-style snorkel is a great option for a beginner, however, as it is simple and easy to use.
Advantages of a classic J-style snorkel
- Very affordable
- Perfect for beginners to snorkeling or scuba diving
- Easy to pack for snorkeling/dive trips
Disadvantages of a classic J-style snorkel
- Material is quite hard and can be uncomfortable
- To clear it properly you must exhale forcefully
- Can leak easily
Dry Snorkel
A dry snorkel has a valve at the top that completely blocks water and air when the snorkel is submerged. It also has a purge valve at the base, making it easy to expel the water from the tube once you’re at the surface. This snorkel also allows you to glide along the surface of the ocean, duck down, and resurface—all without worrying about clearing out the tube constantly.
If you’re using this snorkel while scuba diving, you can save energy at the surface since you don’t need to push the water out from the snorkel, as the valve at the top keeps it clear.
The purge valve at the bottom of this snorkel allows you to exhale quickly and remove any water that has entered the tube. This is an efficient snorkel and is a good choice for both divers and snorkelers, but it’s not without a few issues. The valve at the top of the snorkel can sometimes become blocked, making it difficult to breathe through. In addition, there is air constantly inside a dry snorkel, which means that it remains buoyant throughout a dive or while you’re underwater. It can also increase drag while swimming through the water.
Advantages of a dry snorkel
- Great for duck diving while snorkeling
- Does not need constant clearing
- The purge valve can clear the little water that creeps in
Disadvantages of a dry snorkel
- If the top valve gets blocked it can be difficult to breathe
- Increases drag
- Can be more buoyant than other snorkels
Flexible Snorkel
The flexible snorkel is great for both snorkeling and scuba diving. Just as the name implies, it’s constructed of flexible material. It does feature a rigid part, as well as a purge valve that only requires a short exhalation to remove any water from inside the tube.The flexible snorkel is great for divers who prefer a more snug fit around their face.
Advantages of a flexible snorkel
- Falls away from the face when not in use, which means uninhibited viewing
- Purge valve makes it easy to remove water from the tube
- More flexible than the classic snorkel
- Light and easy to travel with
Disadvantages of a flexible snorkel
- If you’re snorkeling off a beach and get dirt or sand into the valve, this can cause the airway to get blocked.
- There is nothing stopping the water penetrating the top of the snorkel.
Semi-Dry Snorkel
The semi-dry snorkel is the perfect combination of a classic J-shape and a dry snorkel. Semi-dry snorkels have a splash guard to prevent water from entering the breathing tube from above and a purge valve at the base. They can be constructed of either flexible or rigid materials.
Some of the purge valves and splash guards work with a moving mechanism, which is not ideal if a small grain of sand or particulate gets stuck, as this can cause the mechanism to leak and or become blocked.
Advantages of a semi-dry snorkel
- Easy to use and flexible
- Feature a purge valve and splash guard
Disadvantages of a semi-dry snorkel
- Will leak if dirt or sand gets into the mechanism
- Moving parts can break easily and tend to leak after time
- Slightly more expensive than other available snorkels
Full-Face Snorkel
This snorkel is an all-in-one combination of a mask and snorkel. The snorkel itself is positioned in the center at the top of the mask. There is no mouthpiece, making this an easy snorkel to use for those who may be new to the sport. Even though it is not a snorkel per se, it is a good choice for beginners who prefer to breathe freely without having to bite down on a mouthpiece.
Note that these snorkels can only be used for snorkeling, not scuba diving. Most importantly, some older or cheaper models can be faulty and can lead to serious injury, even death in several unfortunate cases.
Consequently, we have used and only advocate reputable brands that have amassed years of experience in the industry (even though there are cheaper, less reliable, and potentially dangerous low-quality brands on Amazon).
Advantages of a full-face snorkel mask
- Easy to use
- Ideal for beginners
- Allows the jaw to relax
Disadvantages of a full-face snorkel mask
- No access to nose, so you cannot equalize if you dip under the surface
- Cannot use for scuba diving
- Can fog up easily
- Snorkel position can sometimes cause difficulty if the sea is choppy
- Large and difficult to pack if traveling
Frequently Asked Questions about the Guide to Buying Snorkels
The best snorkel brand is the one that works best for you. Learn about the features of each different type of snorkel and then start reading about some of the best in each category to help you decide.
Some of our favorites are:
Best Travel Snorkel: Oceanic Pocket Snorkel
Best for Beginners: Tusa SP 0101 Hyperdry Elite 2
Best Semi-Dry: Scubapro Escape Semi-Dry
Best J-Tube: Akona Jakarta
Most Comfortable: Sherwood Cai Semi-Dry
Best Dry: Genesis Hydra
Best Budget: Cressi Supernova Dry
Most Colorful: Mares Ergo Splash
Generally, the simpler the better for a beginning snorkeler. We recommend either a dry snorkel or a simple J-tube to get you started. Dry snorkels tend to cost a bit more, but it’s money well spent when you don’t have to worry about clearing out any water.
Before you choose one, it is important to know that there are several different types of snorkels available, depending on what you require and what type of activity you’ll be taking part in.
Read our guide to the most common types of snorkels:
Classic Snorkel
Dry Snorkel
Flexible Snorkel
Semi-Dry Snorkel
Full-Face Snorkel
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