Snorkelling packages

[fr0sty]

Hi

I've off to the caribbean again in a few weeks and am looking to replace the cheap snorkelling set that I bought last time. I've been looking at the following two packages that are available online from a couple of UK dealers and wondered if anyone had any views on these or any other recommendations. I only want to spend aroundŽ£100 if possible.

Package 1 - Ž£75
Oceanic Ice Dive Mask
Oceanic UltraDry Snorkel
Caribe Fins

Package 2 - Ž£105
Mares Avanti Excell Fins
Mares X-Vision Liquid Skin Mask
Mares Hydrex Superdry Snorkel

My local dive shop doesn't have a large selection so I've only been able to try the Liquid Skin mask although I am going to try another shop tomorrow.

Thanks

[David Wilson]

Fit is the foremost consideration for purchasers of personal items of snorkelling gear, no matter how well the equipment functions otherwise. If you are intending to wear full-foot fins barefoot, they may raise blisters or even fall off if they are too big and they may cause cramps if they are too tight. The sizing information given by online retailers will usually tell you which foot length a particular fin model will accommodate but very seldom will they provide data about about foot breadth and height, so you can never be sure how well they will match your foot dimensions unless you try them on, preferably in the water. As for masks, the best kind are those that fit your face, not somebody else's. Test the seal by applying the mask to your face without securing the straps, breathing in through your nose to create a partial vacuum. If the mask remains on your face without support, it probably fits.

I can't really comment on the two options you quote. I'm an old-fashioned snorkeller who prefers to wear a pair of all-rubber full-foot snorkelling fins and a rubber-skirted mask, just like the gear I started with back in the 1960s. I've never seen any reason to change. My current fins and mask fit my foot and face dimensions perfectly, which is no accident as I've tried many models of fins and masks over the years. I can't, however, recommend my choice of fins and mask to you as they satisfy my criteria, not yours.

[David Wilson]

Sorry, message seems to have duplicated itself.

[Fionab]

I don't know where you live or who your LDS is, but the one I use is near Manchester Divelife and they sell quite a few snorkeling packages as well as the items sold individually.

The most important item is the mask, because a poor fitting mask which leaks will just make for an irritating experience, so you need to try on quite a few masks to make sure it fits. If you are just snorkeling go for a snorkel which drains and has a "floppy" corrugated section which will me much more comfortable.