recommendations for equipment
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David Wilson
Contributor
In the case of mask and fins, the primary criterion is a good fit, otherwise the mask will leak and the fins will either cramp your feet or come loose. There is no substitute for trying gear on first, preferably in a swimming pool or open water. Everybody's face and foot dimensions are different, so there's really no point in settling on a particular brand or model of fin or mask before sorting out the fitting problem.
Scuba divers and free divers tend to recommend open-heel fins and full-foot long-bladed fins respectively to snorkellers. In other words, they assume that snorkellers really want to graduate to scuba diving or free-diving. Well, as you say, you are vacation snorkellers, not wannabee scuba or free divers, so go with the fins that are comfortable to wear and to use. I'm a life-long snorkeller who has never really wanted to scuba or free dive and I use standard-bladed full-foot fins and an oval mask when I snorkel off the North East coast of England. When I snorkelled once at the La Jolla Cove in California, I observed how every kind of fin was being used - long free-diving ones, open-heeled ones, bodyboarding ones, pastic-bladed ones, all-rubber ones. The beauty of snorkelling is that you can enjoy the activity with virtually any kind of gear.
So my advice is - don't let anybody tell you that if you're planning to snorkel you must be harbouring a secret ambition to do something "more challenging", so you need some kind of specialised equipment. Snorkelling itself is enough of a lifelong pleasure. Don't decide on particular brands until you find out how well the fins and mask fit you, not somebody else. If at all possible, try out any gear before you buy. When you get to your snorkelling location, see what other snorkellers are using for those conditions.
As for the snorkel itself, just go for a simple "J" type one. Getting geared up for snorkelling doesn't have to be an expensive or a daunting business, but remember you are in the driving seat. Dive store operators are more used to equipping scuba divers than snorkellers and may try to push the high-end gear you don't need at this stage.
Scuba divers and free divers tend to recommend open-heel fins and full-foot long-bladed fins respectively to snorkellers. In other words, they assume that snorkellers really want to graduate to scuba diving or free-diving. Well, as you say, you are vacation snorkellers, not wannabee scuba or free divers, so go with the fins that are comfortable to wear and to use. I'm a life-long snorkeller who has never really wanted to scuba or free dive and I use standard-bladed full-foot fins and an oval mask when I snorkel off the North East coast of England. When I snorkelled once at the La Jolla Cove in California, I observed how every kind of fin was being used - long free-diving ones, open-heeled ones, bodyboarding ones, pastic-bladed ones, all-rubber ones. The beauty of snorkelling is that you can enjoy the activity with virtually any kind of gear.
So my advice is - don't let anybody tell you that if you're planning to snorkel you must be harbouring a secret ambition to do something "more challenging", so you need some kind of specialised equipment. Snorkelling itself is enough of a lifelong pleasure. Don't decide on particular brands until you find out how well the fins and mask fit you, not somebody else. If at all possible, try out any gear before you buy. When you get to your snorkelling location, see what other snorkellers are using for those conditions.
As for the snorkel itself, just go for a simple "J" type one. Getting geared up for snorkelling doesn't have to be an expensive or a daunting business, but remember you are in the driving seat. Dive store operators are more used to equipping scuba divers than snorkellers and may try to push the high-end gear you don't need at this stage.
With regard to the fins be sure to consider your entry options. If you are exclusively warm water boat snorkelers then full foot fins will save you some $$ and pack light. Neoprene socks can help avoid blisters.
If you make shore entries then open heel fins and booties will keep your options open. In Bonaire for instance with coral rubble shore lines and spiny urchins you will be in a world of hurt carrying open heel fins into the water. The booties will at least protect you from the coral. The booties will offer thermal protection as well which can further your enjoyment.
If you want a model I will say that my wife and I have been very happy with our Aeris Velocities. They have made hundreds of skin dives in addition our scuba diving. My L/XL versions lay in the bottom of a full size case. My wifes M/L fins lay in the bottom of a mid size case. Pack odds and ends in the foot pocket and they take virtually no space.
For the snorkel anything will work. If you venture into less placid waters some sort of splash guard will relieve you from some of the clearing. As for being "dry" ,flex or having a purge it's entirely personal choice.
If you are not into piking down deep then anything with tempered lenses that fits will work. You may prefer a black skirt since surface light through the skirt can be distracting. If you like to dive down deep enough that you require multiple equalizations then going for a lower volume mask will let you keep more air in your lungs.
These items are at the top of the fit is critical list and I suggest going into a local dive shop with a good idea of what you want and trying stuff on. You may pay $50 each more than shopping online but it's cheap vacation insurance and if you guess wrong online the return freight will wipe out your perceived savings.
Pete
If you make shore entries then open heel fins and booties will keep your options open. In Bonaire for instance with coral rubble shore lines and spiny urchins you will be in a world of hurt carrying open heel fins into the water. The booties will at least protect you from the coral. The booties will offer thermal protection as well which can further your enjoyment.
If you want a model I will say that my wife and I have been very happy with our Aeris Velocities. They have made hundreds of skin dives in addition our scuba diving. My L/XL versions lay in the bottom of a full size case. My wifes M/L fins lay in the bottom of a mid size case. Pack odds and ends in the foot pocket and they take virtually no space.
For the snorkel anything will work. If you venture into less placid waters some sort of splash guard will relieve you from some of the clearing. As for being "dry" ,flex or having a purge it's entirely personal choice.
If you are not into piking down deep then anything with tempered lenses that fits will work. You may prefer a black skirt since surface light through the skirt can be distracting. If you like to dive down deep enough that you require multiple equalizations then going for a lower volume mask will let you keep more air in your lungs.
These items are at the top of the fit is critical list and I suggest going into a local dive shop with a good idea of what you want and trying stuff on. You may pay $50 each more than shopping online but it's cheap vacation insurance and if you guess wrong online the return freight will wipe out your perceived savings.
Pete
I always look for package deals on stuff like this. I got this set for a friend a few months ago from 123scuba and they like it.
SUPER SALE - Mares Vision Snorkeling Package
SUPER SALE - Mares Vision Snorkeling Package
UnderSeaBumbleBee
Contributor
check out Joe at Scuba Gear and Scuba Diving Equipment - Discount dive gear ask your for 10% discount from as a scuba board member.
leisurepro.com
scuba.com
scubatoys.com
They all have snorkle packages. Find a good deal and go with it. Just try them out in a pull when you can so you can return if you need to. If you go open fin, get neoprene booties to protect your self from blisters. The booties also have a nice, soft rubber bottom that will protect your feet while walking to where you get into the water. That way you don't have to wear sandals, shoes, what ever then leave them behind. Just something to consider. Places like Bonaire if you were to snorkle, have lots of rocks and coral pieces. Wearing something like this is great for getting in and out of the water with.
scuba.com
scubatoys.com
They all have snorkle packages. Find a good deal and go with it. Just try them out in a pull when you can so you can return if you need to. If you go open fin, get neoprene booties to protect your self from blisters. The booties also have a nice, soft rubber bottom that will protect your feet while walking to where you get into the water. That way you don't have to wear sandals, shoes, what ever then leave them behind. Just something to consider. Places like Bonaire if you were to snorkle, have lots of rocks and coral pieces. Wearing something like this is great for getting in and out of the water with.
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