The 10 Best Snorkels to Explore Reefs and Underwater Habitats
Dive into our expert-recommended models for beginners and experienced snorkelers.
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The best way to explore our planet's wondrous underwater world—if you don't want to leave the surface of the water—is snorkeling. Different from scuba diving, in which you go deeper and stay under longer, snorkeling is a convenient, comfortable, and hygienic way to discover more about any body of water. It's also easy to learn and affordable. To get started you will need a breathing tube and a mask.
Investing in your own snorkel gear means you won’t find yourself at the mercy of opening/closing hours of rental shops wherever you go, or be reliant on a subpar rental with questionable bite marks. There is comfort in knowing the only person to use your snorkel is yourself. Paired with a snorkeling mask and a set of fins, your snorkel is a key player in any upcoming aquatic adventures. Without it, you’re likely to tire out quickly and miss some of the best sights underwater.
While some snorkels resemble little more than glorified straws, why not try one that suits your snorkel style? From dry snorkels that keep out water in choppy conditions like the M-Line 3D Flex Dry to streamlined J-shaped snorkels for deep diving like the Kraken Aquatics Freediving Snorkel, there’s a type for every underwater exploratory session.
Best of all, snorkeling is an activity the whole family can enjoy. There are snorkels sized for kids, ones that are foldable and packable, and ones that have soft mouthpieces to minimize jaw fatigue. Read on for the features to look for when choosing the right snorkel for you, as well as my top recommendations.
Best Snorkels
- Best Overall: Scubapro Escape Semi-Dry
- Best Value: Cressi Supernova Dry
- Best For Choppy Water: XS Scuba M-Line 3D Flex Dry
- Best For Long Snorkel Sessions: Mares Ergo Dry
- Best For Kids: Cressi Youth Dry Top Snorkel
The Expert: I’m an AIDA 3 free diver, advanced scuba diver, and regular snorkeler. I’ve tested tens of different snorkels in a variety of conditions, including the latest snorkels featured at ocean sports expos, well-worn snorkels at local dive shops, and lost snorkels I’ve found abandoned on reefs. My writing has appeared in outlets such as Scuba Diving, Vice, and Moon Travel Guides, and I am the founder of The Salt Sirens, a website devoted to ocean sports.
Focus on Fit, then Features
At first glance, it might seem like all snorkels are the same, but that is not the case. Snorkels have come a long way from the curved plastic straws they once were.
Before looking at the features of a snorkel, first focus on fit. Your lips should rest comfortably around the mouthpiece. A snorkel that’s too large or too small could lead to jaw fatigue. If your lips feel like they’re stretching or you’re forced to bite down to keep the mouthpiece in place, it’s likely the wrong size, and you should choose another model.
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Snorkels come with a variety of features that cater to a snorkeler’s personal preference. The classic snorkel shape, which looks like a solid J, is made with a single tube connected to a mouthpiece. These snorkels are popular among free divers and people who spearfish thanks to their sleek, minimal drag design. However, water can enter classic snorkels easily from the top of the tube, and it takes some effort to clear a flooded tube.
Some snorkels have a flexible tube, allowing the mouthpiece to move easily and drop away from the face when a snorkeler lifts their head out of the water. Purge valves make clearing the water out of a snorkel tube easy because you blast water out near the mouth rather than up the top of the tube.
If you’re snorkeling in choppy water or want to bob below the surface, opt for a snorkel with a splash guard. Placed at the top of the tube, this guard helps prevent small amounts of water from entering the snorkel. For the most amount of protection, consider a snorkel with a dry top. Dry snorkels have a valve at the top of the tube that closes whenever the snorkel is submerged.
I recommend beginners and children look for a snorkel that has a purge valve, flexible tube, and splashguard to start. Some snorkels also float, making them great picks for snorkeling in deep and murky water.
How We Evaluated These Snorkels
While searching for the best snorkels, I prioritized comfort, durability, ease of use, and value for the money. Although I’ve tested many snorkels personally, I also asked other snorkelers for their recommendations and researched best-selling models from trusted brands. I consulted popular diving forums, review websites, and magazines to see which snorkels rose above the rest.
Pros
- Breathes easy
- Efficient purge valve
Cons
- Clear silicone yellows if left in sun
The Escape Semi-Dry is a top all-around snorkel for beginner and experienced snorkelers alike. The mouthpiece is soft and comfortable, enabling long snorkel sessions without worrying about jaw fatigue.
The purge valve clears water easily, and the splash top helps keep minor chop from entering the tube. The clear silicone mouthpiece and flexible tube might yellow with time or if you leave the Escape in direct sunlight.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | Yes |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | Yes |
Pros
- Lots of features
Cons
- Mask clip is finicky to use
For a quality snorkel that won’t drown your budget, the Cressi Supernova Dry is a top contender. A comfortable mouthpiece, flexible tube, purge valve, wide bore (for the uninitiated, that means tube), and dry top valve make this snorkel one of the easiest to breathe through.
The mouthpiece tends to run large, though, making this a better pick for snorkelers with wider faces.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | Yes |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | Yes |
XS Scuba M-Line 3D Flex Dry
XS Scuba M-Line 3D Flex Dry
Pros
- Stays dry
Cons
- Needs to be strongly secured to mask
The XS Scuba M-Line 3D Flex Dry is a flexible snorkel with a large mouthpiece for easy breathing. The purge valve flushes water with ease, and a splashguard on top prevents water from entering.
A corrugated silicone neck allows for a large range of movement while keeping the top of the snorkel out of the water. Since this snorkel is slightly top-heavy, it works best when paired with a snorkeling mask with a thick strap to secure the snorkel in place.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | Yes |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | Yes |
Mares Ergo Dry
Mares Ergo Dry
Pros
- Purge valve
- Dry top
- Comfortable bite
Cons
- Bulky
- Mask is hard to adjust
The Ergo Dry is ideal for long snorkel sessions in choppy water and rain. The snorkel has a comfortable silicone mouthpiece, flexible lower tube, purge valve, and dry top to prevent leaks.
Clearing the snorkel takes little effort, though there are times when the dry top closes unnecessarily. Accordingly, this snorkel is a better pick for people who are comfortable with readjusting it in the water.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | Yes |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | Yes |
Cressi Youth Dry Top Snorkel
Cressi Youth Dry Top Snorkel
Pros
- Easy to clear
- Replaceable mouthpiece
Cons
- Mask clip can tangle in hair
The Cressi Youth Dry Top Snorkel is the youth version of the Cressi Supernova, our Best Value pick. Key features include a dry top, purge valve, and flexible tube that all allow for a more comfortable swim. This splashguard works exceptionally well and prevents kids from inhaling water when there’s a lot of chop or splashing.
The mouthpiece is replaceable, making it a great pick for kids with a tendency to chew through them. Pair this snorkel with a mask that has a neoprene mask strap cover to prevent tangles.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | Yes |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | Yes |
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to clear
Cons
- Clip can tangle in long hair
The Tusa Hyperdry Elite II comes in multiple color variations and was designed by scuba divers. Snorkelers will find it comfortable for long swims.
Highlights include a dry top, purge valve, and flexible tube. Although the clip makes it easy to attach and detach the snorkel to the mask, it tangles easily in long hair.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | Yes |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | Yes |
Pro Shot Tidal Roll-Up Snorkel
Pro Shot Tidal Roll-Up Snorkel
Pros
- Compact
- Clips into keychain
Cons
- Challenging to clear
- Mask attachment is finnicky
The Pro Shot Tidal Roll-Up is a flexible J-shaped snorkel made from silicone. It folds into a small carrying case with keychain attachment, which easily secures to a scuba diving BCD or backpack.
The snorkel can warp if left folded up over time, so it’s best to stow this snorkel away unfolded. Like all snorkels without a splash guard or purge valve, you’ll need a little more effort to clear the snorkel if it tips under water in choppy conditions.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | No |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | No |
Kraken Aquatics Freediving Snorkel
Kraken Aquatics Freediving Snorkel
Pros
- Foldable and lightweight
Cons
- Recommend getting more comfortable mask clip
The Kraken Aquatics Freediving Snorkel is ideal for free divers and spearfishers who travel. This simple, sleek J-shaped design is easy to breathe from in calm conditions. It folds into a small carrying case that’s easily clipped to a bait bag or buoy as a spare snorkel.
Because of its packability, it also appeals to scuba divers who prefer their snorkel to be in their BCD pocket rather than attached to their mask.
The snorkel shaft curve tends to hug the back of the head rather than float towards the top, helping breathe-ups (a breathing series done to relax mind and body before a dive) to be more comfortable.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | No |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | No |
Pros
- Streamlined for free diving and spearfishing
- Flexible and packable
Cons
- Challenging to clear
Ideal for free diving, spearfishing, or as a backup snorkel, the Cressi Corsica has a simple, streamlined J-shaped design. The mask clip is sturdy and easily adjustable along the shaft of the snorkel, making it easy to fit nearly any mask.
The mouthpiece is on the small side but has a soft silicone bite piece. Beginners might prefer a snorkel with more features, like a purge valve or splash guard.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | No |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | No |
Tusa SP-170 Platina II Hyperdry Snorkel
Tusa SP-170 Platina II Hyperdry Snorkel
Pros
- Comfortable
- Handles choppy water
Cons
- Bulky
The TUSA SP-170 Platina II Hyperdry Snorkel was designed with diver-specific features like a flexible mouthpiece that falls away from the mask, leaving plenty of room for your regulator. An effective splashguard keeps water out in choppy conditions, and the purge valve clears water acquired during the dive with a quick puff.
The mask clip is a little small for some mask straps, and it might be worth investing in an alternative one.
Key Specs
| Purge Valve | Yes |
|---|---|
| Splash Guard | Yes |
Advice for First-Time Snorkelers from Expert Chantae Reden
When I buy a snorkel, do I also need to consider what mask will work with it?
Most snorkels will work with most snorkeling masks, as the snorkel is fixed onto the mask with a simple clip. There are some cases where your mask clip and mask strap might not match, but this is easily fixed with a different clip. Full face snorkeling masks usually have a snorkel attached onto the mask and will not need a separate snorkel.
Is comfort the most important factor when buying a snorkel?
Yes, comfort is the most important factor when you’re looking for a snorkel, and it goes beyond just the mouthpiece. While the snorkel should fit comfortably within your mouth, you also want to consider features like a splashguard if having water in your snorkel will be uncomfortable for you.
A purge valve flushes excess water out of the snorkel, so breathing is easier. Those who like J-shaped snorkels without these features tend to be free divers and spear fishers.
What are the big differences between a bargain snorkel and a higher-end one?
Higher-end snorkels tend to be made from higher quality materials that can handle excessive time in the sun and salt water. Bargain snorkels are likely to be made from cheap plastic that easily cracks along the tube of the snorkel. Bargain snorkels also have less durable mouthpieces and splashguards that leak. Leaks might develop around the seams, especially at the mouthpiece and purge valve.
A higher quality snorkel made from durable plastic and silicone might be twice as expensive as a bargain snorkel but will often last years longer than a poorly made one. Rinsing your snorkel and storing it out of the sun will prolong your snorkel’s lifespan no matter the quality.
What advice do you have for a first-time snorkeler?
If you’ve never snorkeled before, it’s best to test out your snorkel gear in a pool before you head to the ocean. This will help you get used to the feeling of having a mask over your eyes and a snorkel in your mouth as you swim.
Practice clearing water from your snorkel by blowing forcefully or taking the snorkel out of your mouth and dumping the water out manually. Once it’s time to go to the beach, spend some time in calm water that’s shallow enough to stand or float in should you need to readjust your gear.
What time of day is the best for snorkeling and why?
Snorkeling can be done any time of day, though you’ll want to keep a close eye on the weather and ocean conditions. Fish tend to be most active at dawn and dusk, making it a great time to snorkel around coral reefs. Otherwise, you’ll want to snorkel under sunny skies, clear water, and calm ocean conditions without waves or currents.
Check the weather forecast to plan your snorkel session when there’s the least amount of wind for the most comfortable experience, as wind can be chilly to snorkel in and create excess ocean chop that’ll splash into your snorkel.
What other gear is essential for snorkeling?
There are a few pieces of equipment recommended for snorkeling. Most important, you’ll need a mask to allow for a clear view while you snorkel. You can also snorkel with a pair of fins to help you kick efficiently through the water.
A swimsuit, rashguard, swim leggings, and/or wetsuit will protect you from stingers, cold water, and sunburn. A life jacket or personal flotation device is also an essential to bring depending on the snorkel spot and your swimming skills.
Chantae Reden is an adventure writer and photographer who rarely strays far from the coastline. She is a freediver, surfer, kitesurfer, paddler, scuba diver, and has a mild obsession with sharks. She has ridden a motorcycle through East Timor, scuba dived with tens of bull sharks in Fiji, and swam beside humpback whales in Tonga. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Escape, AFAR, Lonely Planet, and she is a guidebook author for Moon Travel Guides. Contact Chantae on her website, ChantaeReden.com.
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