Reviewed by snorkelers:
12 Best Snorkel Sets | Updated in 2022
Our divers at work
We gave our two Snorkeling geeks one job:
Test 21 different Snorkeling Sets and write reviews of the best.
The result is 12 of the best Snorkeling Sets on the market today.
Summer Worsley
PADI Instructor & Writer
Summer has been teaching scuba for the last 10 years.
Torben Lonne
Snorkeling Sets geek and editor Torben is a dive nut, with a passion for dive gear and especially Snorkeling Sets.
What vacation to the beach would be complete without snorkeling? It’s one of the most popular holiday activities, whether you’re in your home country or abroad, and with good reason.
One of the best things about snorkeling is that it’s something everyone can enjoy, regardless of age or fitness level.
Whether you’re checking out Cozumel, or taking a trip to Thailand, taking your own snorkeling gear rather than renting it is always preferable.
After all, you want to be using some proper snorkeling gear. Not to mention that your own mask is guaranteed to fit.
Here, we take a look at what to look for when buying a good snorkeling set and review some of the best currently on the market.
Best Budget Snorkeling Sets
We’ve gathered a selection of the best budget Snorkeling Sets. All stable a reliable, but at a low cost.
Best Mid-Range Snorkeling Sets
You’re diving alot and you want a snorkeling set that meets your needs. Here’s the best mid-range Snorkeling Sets.
Best High-End Snorkeling Sets
Best high-end Snorkeling Set needs to be durable, realiable and easy to use. Here’s the best choices in the tech Snorkeling Set selections:
Best Budget Snorkeling Sets
If you’re an amateur snorkeler taking your first dip into the underwater realm, there’s no need to spend huge amounts of money. Top manufacturers like Cressi and Aqua Lung make good quality snorkeling sets to suit all budgets. And you won’t be compromising on safety. Before buying your first snorkel set, check out our budget recommendations.
Combining Cressi’s Ranger mask and Tao snorkel, this is a great entry-level snorkeling set. The semi-dry snorkel features a splash guard to reduce any water entry. A comfortable, flexible mouthpiece helps prevent jaw ache and can be easily replaced. The super-soft silicone skirt on the mask ensures a great seal around the face. This Aqua Lung snorkel set offers some great features. A frameless mask provides more comfort than framed masks and the slanted lens mean a wide viewing window. The semi-dry snorkel has an effective purge valve for easy clearing. This mask and snorkel combo come with a ‘quick-fix’ clasp making the snorkel super easy to attach and adjust for perfect placement. This is another great option if you are new to snorkeling. The mask has a wide split strap designed to keep it snugly in place. Low cutouts at base of the lenses provide good downward vision. A simple one-touch clasp connects the snorkel to the mask. The snorkel opening is oval-shaped for minimal drag. US Divers’ Cozumel set comes with everything you need to get you started, including a pair of fins. The well-made mask has a three-way adjustable buckle for a great fit and seal. The full foot fins are comfortable, durable, and fit true to size. Although semi-dry, the snorkel is easy to clear.
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Best Mid-Range Snorkeling Sets
As we move into the mid-range options, we start to see dry snorkels and open-heel fins, along with some extra attention to materials and comfort. If you’re looking to upgrade your snorkeling equipment and can afford that little bit more, these snorkeling sets will be a great investment.
This snorkel set from Promate offers pretty good value for money. It’s easy to use making it ideal for those with only a small amount of snorkeling experience. Vented, open-heel fins reduce drag meaning you’ll get more reward for your effort with each kick. The single-lens mask offers an excellent sightline. The set is also available in a variety of sizes and bold colors. The Seavenger Voyager snorkel set comes with shortened fins giving greater maneuverability and allowing you to change direction quickly. A liquid-injection silicone mask conforms to the shape of your face and makes for a super comfy fit. The large single-window lens offers good peripheral vision. Finally, this set is compact and lightweight so it’s great for traveling. This is a great mid-range option from Innovative which gives you many features of the more expensive snorkel sets. Even though the fins are short, they propel you through the water well without any drag. The soft silicone skirt ensures the mask sits comfortably on your face. The Sport Flexar Aqua Lung snorkel set comes with a semi-dry rather than a dry snorkel but is still a great mid-range option. The frameless mask is at a slant, so the viewing window is wide and offers fantastic peripheral vision. Mid-length fins give good maneuverability and have a textured inside that helps with grip. Plus, with Aqua Lung, you know you’re getting durable gear.
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Best High-End Snorkeling Sets
If you intend to spend lots of time in the water, or you simply want the most comfortable and high-performing snorkeling kit, it’s worth paying extra for a high-end snorkel set. As these options tend to be made from slightly better materials, they are also made to last longer.
This great offering from Tusa is specifically designed for medium to large adult faces. The snorkel has a drain chamber which is activated via the dump valve if any water finds its way in. Although the fins are compact, they still provide a lot of power to propel you through the water. Cressi includes their Onda mask in this set and we can understand why. Although it’s been around for decades, the materials used are still some of the highest quality out there. All the parts of the Cressi Palau snorkel set provide great comfort but also a toughness that will last you for years. This US Divers snorkel set has a unique contoured snorkel design, which provides a streamlined profile when you’re in the water. The fully adjustable strap on the fins are user-friendly and you won’t struggle to get them on an off. The included fabric and mesh carry bag makes the US Divers Admiral set simple to travel with. If you are looking for something a bit different, consider this full face mask option from Mares. It may look odd, but the 180-degree panoramic view cannot be beaten by traditional masks. As your entire face is enclosed in the mask, it remains dry and you can breathe normally instead of just through your mouth. Check out the reviews of all our
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What Is a Good Snorkel Set?
Either two or three components make up a good snorkel set: mask and snorkel, or mask, snorkel, and fins (flippers). Of course, you are able to purchase each of the parts separately. But given all the options available, knowing where to start can be difficult.
That’s why some of the top scuba and watersports brands, such as Cressi and Mares, offer complete snorkel sets. They take away the hassle of the endless search and research. As an added bonus, buying everything together generally works out cheaper than purchasing the individual parts.
A good snorkel set should consist of a quality mask that fits well without leaking, and a snorkel that allows you to breath when face-down on the surface of the water. Some snorkel sets come with fins, others don’t. You don’t have to use fins if you prefer, and many snorkelers choose not to. But they can be a useful piece of kit, as we will explain later on.
What Is the Best Mask for Snorkeling?
Getting a good mask in your snorkel set is important. The whole point of snorkeling is to see the underwater life and without a mask, that’s impossible. Masks come in different styles and which is best for you really comes down to personal preference. Some people like masks with one window so there is no obstruction between the eyes. Others prefer two-window masks. You can also look at frameless masks which are designed to give better peripheral vision.
The most important point, though, is that a good mask should fit well and create a watertight seal around your face. Lots of rental and cheap masks have plastic skirts that are more prone to splitting. A silicone skirt will give a good seal and be much more comfortable. Also, check whether the mask is made from tempered glass as it offers greater protection for your eyes.
For a full discussion on masks and what to look out for, check out our guide here.
What Is a Dry Snorkel Set?
Snorkels have come a long way from the rigid tubes they once were. The majority of today’s snorkels are flexible and come with dump valves to make clearing the water easier than with previous models — one sharp exhalation and water is pushed out of the one-way valve at the bottom of the snorkel.
The traditional J-style snorkel is easy to use but these have an open top, so water can enter the snorkel. If you’ve ever been snorkeling when there are waves, you’ll know that open-top snorkels take on a fair amount of water and need to be cleared regularly.
They are still a good option, but manufacturers today aim to prevent water from entering the snorkel in the first place. Semi-dry snorkels come with a splash guard that gives some protection. But a semi-dry is not great for snorkeling in the ocean or if you plan to dive below the surface. The other option is a dry snorkel. So, what is a dry snorkel set?
A dry snorkel has a valve at the top of the breathing tube that completely seals when it is submerged. This keeps water out and also prevents you from mistakenly taking a breath when underwater. When you return to the surface, the valve opens and you can breathe easily without having to find enough breath to blow and expel the water. Dry snorkels are an excellent choice if you’re a fan of diving down while you’re snorkeling.
What Are the Best Flippers for Snorkeling?
Fins, or flippers, are a great accessory to a snorkel set. They allow you to move quicker and maneuver better in the water than you can with just bare feet. There are two different types of fins you can buy for snorkeling: full foot or open heel.
Full foot fins have a closed pocket which your foot fits snuggly into. Open heel fins have an adjustable strap that goes around the back of the foot. They allow you to wear neoprene booties with a thick sole, which is great if you have to walk over rocks or stones to get into the water before snorkeling.
There’s really no single best pair of flippers for snorkeling. It really depends on your circumstances. For example, where will you be snorkeling? Full foot fins are great for warm water but for cooler waters, you may want to wear socks or booties for warmth, in which case open heel would be the better option. Not a lot of room in your luggage? Short fins may be better suited for traveling as they are lighter and take up less room.
As a general rule though, sticking with respected brands goes a long way toward fin quality. There’s a reason you’ll see so many dive instructors and snorkel guides wearing Mares Avanti Quattro fins: they perform well and they last.
How Much Does a Good Snorkel Set Cost?
You can pick up cheap mask and snorkel in most big departments stores for around $15, but is it really going to be good quality? Quality ensures your safety when you’re out in the water. For instance, many budget options have windows made of non-tempered glass. And as we discussed above, tempered glass is a must-have spec.
A good snorkel set doesn’t have to set you back the earth though. If you’re on a budget, there are some great snorkel sets available for around $25 to $30. For the more advanced snorkelers or those who go on vacations a few times throughout the year, spending $50 to $100 is going to get you a top quality snorkel set that should last for years and years.
Our snorkel set reviews below, divided into budget, mid-range, and high-end options, will give you a guide as to what you can expect for your money.
Best Kids Snorkel Set
Snorkeling is something that people of all ages can enjoy, and that includes kids. What could be better than introducing your child to Nemo and friends at an early age?
Obviously, children are smaller than adults and cannot use the same equipment. Luckily, some of the leading companies design and market dedicated kids snorkel sets with smaller masks, snorkels, and fins. A fantastic option is the US Divers snorkel set, with all the features found in adult snorkel sets. It’s easy to use and comes in fun, bold colors which your kids will love.
If your child isn’t a comfortable swimmer yet, make sure that there’s an adult in the water with them at all times when they’re snorkeling.
So, what is the best snorkel set to buy?
All things considered, it really depends how much you want to spend and how often you plan on using your snorkel set. In our opinion, the US Divers Cozumel set is a solid choice for novice snorkelers. But for quality and durability, the Cressi Palau snorkel set offers really great value for money.
What’s your favorite snorkel set?
Drop us a comment below and let us know what you love about it.
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