snorkel gear

[jks9103]

Should we purchase our own snorkel gear? We are booked on Eli's Eco Tour in Antigua for our cruise in April 2008 and they provide snorkel gear, but we may also want to snorkel from the beach at some of the other islands we are going to. We are not experts, we've only snorkeled a couple of times but really enjoyed it. I've read that you can rent gear at many of the beaches we will be going to but after adding up the rental costs, we're thinking of just getting our own. Nothing expensive, just the basic mask and snorkel...and maybe a snorkel vest.

[Albino Mosquito]

I've never snorkeled before, but will be on my Cruise in Jan, and my independent trip up to Cairns.

 

I bought myself a snorkel set. Nothing fancy, but nice enough for me. I found it at Costco.

 

I know they clean them with disinfectant, but it grosses me out that the snorkel is in someone else's mouth. The mask and flippers wouldn't bother me, but definitely don't want anything that was in a stranger's mouth, or most anyone's mouth for that matter, in my own. :eek:

[SDRR]

Try visiting a dive shop in your area.

They may be having "off season" sales or discounts.

Additionally, you'll be able to select equipment that fits *you*, which is important in pruchasing a mask.

Talk to them about where you're going and what you plan to do.

Their experience will be of value...

We made our purchases a year ago for our upcoming cruise.

Masks and snorkels for both my wife and I.

Figure on renting the fins rather then dragging them along in our luggage.

And spent some time in the pool this last summer developing out "technique".

Not much need for fins in the pool... ;)

[Lsimon]

...I know they clean them with disinfectant, but it grosses me out that the snorkel is in someone else's mouth....

 

I think we all "hope" they clean them with disinfectant - but none of us know that for sure!

 

I have a nice quality mask and a great snorkel. I really recommend these. We bought a dry snorkel made my Oceanmaster and it is great - a big improvement over a standard snorkel - expensive at around $30 but very much worth it! We don't suffer nearly as much if a wave washes over us or we tilt our heads too much now.

 

We have fines and used to bring those along too, but it was so much to carry around. Now we just rent snorkeling fins or use those provided by an excursion operator. It is very seldom we visit places where fins are not available. We do have some very thin short neoprene "fin socks" to wear in the fins - these go a long way in keeping things stable, adding a little protection when walking over rocks to get into the water, and prevents rubbing and chaffing of the fin rubber against our feet. Ran about $10 at an online dive equipment site.

[zqvol]

Should we purchase our own snorkel gear? We are booked on Eli's Eco Tour in Antigua for our cruise in April 2008 and they provide snorkel gear, but we may also want to snorkel from the beach at some of the other islands we are going to. We are not experts, we've only snorkeled a couple of times but really enjoyed it. I've read that you can rent gear at many of the beaches we will be going to but after adding up the rental costs, we're thinking of just getting our own. Nothing expensive, just the basic mask and snorkel...and maybe a snorkel vest.

 

Generally it is better to have your own equipment. A personal mask will fit better and once you get it adjusted you don't spend a lot of time worrying about leaks. With your own snorkel you know who has been chewing on it . . . enough said. You can get great masks and snorkels for as let as $30 for a set up to what ever you want to pay at a dive shop.

 

Fins are also good to have, but are bulky. There are two types of fins, "full foot" and open fins. Full foot fins slip on like a sock and you are ready to go, the problem with them is if they don't fit correctly they rub and sometimes you end up with blisters. Open fins have a strap on the back and are fully adjustable but you have to wear "booties" with them, and as a result are more expensive. (I have found open back snorkel fins at my local dive shop which do not require booties.)

 

If you are the least bit uncomfortable in the water by all means get a snorkel vest, they are inexpensive and offer peace of mind (and they are often hard to find in you want to snorkel on your won from a beach.)

[Stevesan]

I stumbled upon an excellent commentary about properly fitting the mask.

I liked it so much I saved it:

 

Mask Fitting

 

How many times have you gone into a dive store, tried a mask that seemed to fit just great, got on an airplane to halfway around the world, jumped into the water and the mask leaked? There seems to be a nearly universal way to try a mask, which unfortunately happens to be the wrong way. Put the mask on, inhale through your nose and guess what? The mask fits. Right? Wrong!

 

The big mistake is that no one dives or snorkels with a vacuum in their mask or shouldn't be if they are. By inhaling through the nose, an unnatural seal is created. Some divers have tried on masks that don't even come close to fitting but as soon as they inhale, a tight seal is created. While diving though, they are not constantly trying to inhale through their nose (which is what the store clerk told them to do) and now the mask leaks.

 

Someone told a tale of a dive store that displays all masks without straps. The idea apparently is to check that a really good vacuum makes a really good fit. Once again, no one dives trying to inhale through their nose constantly and without a strap no less.

 

Almost all modern masks have an outer seal and a narrower inner seal. This inside seal covers everywhere except just under the nose. If both of these seals touch the face than the odds of that mask fitting and not leaking are very good. This is done by putting the mask on with the strap loose, but in place, and then tightening it to what would be normal if you were diving. Some divers who have had very bad masks are in the habit of over tightening the strap on a new mask in hopes of a better seal. Don't do that especially while trying masks for fit.

 

The next step takes a second person or a mirror. Look around the entire inside of the mask checking to see that the inner seal touches everywhere. It is very important not to inhale through the nose which forces the mask seals to touch if they didn't naturally. Next check the outside seal the same way.

 

If the inner seal is not touching the face, especially next to the side of the eyes, it is likely the mask won't work well. But do check everywhere around the inside. The outer seal might keep water from dripping in but not as well as if both seals touch. Make sure the seals do not cut across any hairline or eyebrows. Also that the side seals are not right at the edge of the eye.

 

One other problem can occur when someone laughs, smiles or even squints. This motion creates lines or wrinkles next to the nose. Sometimes this makes a passage where water pours in. Almost every mask will leak when this happens. So don't laugh! Occasionally, depending on the person, these wrinkles may remain even after they stop laughing. In this case it may be necessary to straighten the face by pulling down or sideways on the cheeks. Again this is not necessarily a mask problem. So don't run out and buy a new mask.

 

If absolutely necessary, to keep everyone happy, you can now inhale slightly to check any unseen leaks. Sometimes a mask leaks around the glass. This is very unusual and is a one off problem, not the design of the mask. You can check this by holding the mask with the face plate parallel to the floor and putting water in the mask. If the face plate seal is faulty, drops of water will appear on the outside.

 

Don't be fooled by the size of a mask's frame and lenses. This has little if anything to do with how a masks fits. People will look for what seems like a narrow or wide mask, depending, but what counts is the size of the skirt where your face is actually touching the mask. An exaggerated example but if the lens of a mask is 1 foot wide but the skirt is only 4 inches, this would fit a rather narrow face but the mask looks huge.

 

With literally 10's of dozens of masks on the market, there is one that will fit. It may take awhile to find but it is out there.

 

[retired rascal]

if you've never snorkeled and aren't sure you will again, you may want to gamble on the tour's equipment. however, if you snorkel alot or want to, your own equipment makes sense---for fit; for sanitation; for comfort. there's good info above re masks and fit. the "dry" snorkels [which close when going under water] are really useful if you are either inexperienced or 'forgetful.' there's nothing like breathing in a mouthful of water when forgetting or not realizing the snorkel is underwater. we too own fins, but only take them on trips where weight and bulk of luggage are not an issue. recommend you go to a certified dive shop where the personnel should know how to match you with the best equipment for you. also suggest you pick up the special cleaner for new masks...AND the drops that you can use each time you snorkel to avoid the mask's fogging up. if you're not a strong swimmer or worry about getting tired, there are some really lightweight and easy to inflate 'vests' for snorkel purposes. HAVE A GREAT GREAT TIME. we plan our vacations and destinations around snorkel spots. we're in our 60's and this is something that we can do that is 'active' but also very easy on the body. :):):)

[Conanc]

Thanks for the advice on masks. We'll be snorkeling in Grand Cayman and are in the market for masks and snorkels.

[dive-in]

I see costco and sam's mentioned frequently in this forum. The brands of snorkel gear found at those stores seem to be US Divers and Body Glove. Is there really any difference between the two? Is one better than the other. I have memberships at both but haven't bought because I wasn't sure of the quality or fit. Now I'm probably going to. Just wondering if either is better. The Costco is very near a dive shop so I'll probably hop in there first.

[Boytjie]

Masks and snorkels for both my wife and I.

Figure on renting the fins rather then dragging them along in our luggage.

 

I was glad I took my own fins in February - the snorkel excursion we were on ran out of fins my size.

 

It was also nice to snorkel anytime and anywhere without having to locate equipment rental.

[mark3232]

Rent it!

 

If you like snorkeling, then shop a round. The equipment that will be provided serves the purpose most of the time.

 

I have been a dive instructor for 30 years and I have to say that 90% of dive equipment purchased was likely never used more than a few times and went into a closet shortly there after. It's usually becomes obsolete by the time the person has decided they would never use it again and by then it’s worthless.

 

If you insist on buying something, invest in a mask where you were fitted properly.

[livingstone]

Snorking can be a lot of fun............. but with poor fitting mask and fins it can be an experience you would rather forget. sometimes the cheap snorkling sets can be adiquate and represent a bargin. I seem to remember on my last pacific cruise the cost was $20 AUD for the day for the hire. there is also the risk that they may not have your size in fins and the mask may not be comfortable. My wife bought a complete set from Aldi supermarket for $20 AUD, for those in the USA try Walmart or Kmart. they look and feet great but because i always want the best I bought the US Diver brand for around $38 AUD but they are very comfortable. if you like to spend money also try the Mares brand around the same price.

 

Some inportant tips

 

• try the mask under water BEFORE THE CRUISE, even if it is in a bath or maybe a spa at the local gym.
  
• keep the fins on your feet for an hour or so while you watch TV and if your feet become num or start to be painful change for the next size up.
  
• buy snorkling fins not diving fins, besides being big and very expensive it is a bit of overkill for snorling. find the ones that are most comfortable.

• be aware that the you shoe size is not you fin size I am a European size 40 - 40.5 in all shoes but my fins are size 42- 44. check the conversion charts on the internet for sizes comparison.
  

• buying fins on ebay as long as you have checked that brand for fitting at a shop, ebay can be cheap but dont just asume that they will fit.
  
• make sure you have a rash shirt becaue you will get sun burnt in the tropics, long sleve is the best and it will also protect you from stinging thing in the sea, blue bottles ect.

dont forget the sun screen you may not notice the sun burn while you are in the cool water but when you get out.............. well you will be red and sore.

[Alipius]

This, by Dave Tanner of Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming, re plastic Swimmer's Goggles; but most of the advice is just as true for us:

 

"[Goggles] can become foggy when wet. A gentle lick followed by an immediate rinse is usually effective in preventing fogging."

 

[in our case: it is a spit-and-wipe process.]

 

"The key is to lick before the plastic gets wet. Once it gets wet, no amount of saliva will prevent fogging. It's important to rinse out the saliva so it doesn't get into your eyes. Keeping goggles clean is important because it helps prevent eye infections. You can clean goggles with toothpaste to take off the film that builds up on the inside."

 

Like a lot of other people, I've found both of these tips work well.

[livingstone]

we found when diving in the tropics that the standard white tooth paste rubed on the googles the night before and washed of when diving commenced stopped the fogging very well. give it a go in the pool ( wash of the tooth paste before going in)