Snorkeling is a fun activity for swimmers of all ages. It opens you up to a world of travel and the raw beauty of the underwater world. All you really need for snorkeling are reliable snorkeling fins, a safe mask, and the best snorkels you can find.
Some snorkelers prefer to use a full-face snorkel mask, which basically combines the two. It allows you to breathe more easily underwater. But what if you want a standalone snorkel in order to pair it with a scuba mask? It can be overwhelming to choose from the different varieties of snorkels. Not to worry. This article will help you narrow down your choices by listing the top 10 snorkels in the market today.
Types of snorkels
There are five main types of snorkels. Let’s look at the key features of each! Plus, check the pros and cons.
Classic snorkel: A J-style snorkel which is a simple plastic tube with a mouthpiece attached.
- Pros: Most affordable, lightweight, ideal for beginners. Can be used for snorkeling, scuba diving, and is the best snorkel for freediving.
- Cons: No purge valve or splash guard, which increases the risk of water entering the mouth.
Flexible snorkel: A flexible tube with a purge valve.
- Pros: Drops away from face when not in use. Purge valve makes water less likely to enter the mouth, flexible. Suitable for both scuba diving and snorkeling.
- Cons: Water can enter from the top, the airway might become blocked.
Semi-dry snorkel: A flexible snorkel with a splash guard at the top.
- Pros: Drops away from face when not in use. Purge valve makes water less likely to enter the mouth, flexible. Splash guard makes water less likely to enter from the top.
- Cons: Splash guard might get stuck if sand or salt enters, more expensive than more basic snorkels.
Dry snorkel: Features a purge valve at the bottom, and a valve at the top.
- Pros: Water will not enter from the top or the bottom even when snorkel is completely submerged. Divers and snorkelers don’t need to expel water from the snorkel on reaching the surface. One of the best snorkels for scuba diving.
- Cons: The top valve might become blocked and affect breathing. More buoyant than other types of snorkel. Tend to be bigger and create more drag underwater than other types of snorkels.
Full face snorkel: Combines a full face mask with a dry snorkel.
- Pros: Very easy to use, allows snorkelers to relax the mouth and jaw. Allows snorkelers to breathe through the nose. Best snorkel for beginner or nervous snorkelers.
- Cons: Cannot be used for scuba diving or freediving; no way to equalize the airspace in the mask. Mask might leak and allow water inside, bulky and hard to travel light with.
Best Snorkels for Underwater Adventures
Check out our curated list of the best snorkels, all available at Scuba.com.
Cressi Supernova Dry Snorkel
The Italian-made Cressi Supernova Dry Snorkel is designed with the diver’s comfort in mind. Its modern design technology allows for easy breathing at the surface and helps prevent water from entering, thanks to its anti-splash end and special valve that automatically closes during submersion. If some water does get inside, the lower end has a large, one-way exhaust valve that makes use of gravity to allow you to easily drain excess water downwards.
Both the replaceable angled mouthpiece and ridged, bendable tube section are made of hypoallergenic silicone, ensuring comfort and ease of use for the user. The quick-release snorkel keeper allows you to keep your snorkel attached to your mask even when you let go of the snorkel for a better look at all the fish and corals around you.
Cressi Alpha Ultra Dry Snorkel
Another Cressi snorkel makes the list with its Sub Alpha Ultra Dry Snorkel. As expected, it features a reliable two-way valve system, including a profiled 360-degree dry top that automatically shuts water out, no matter the angle of your snorkel when surface diving. You can resume breathing from the tube as soon as you ascend, eliminating worries of water blocking the airway when you’re completely out of breath.
Scuba divers love its streamlined design and dual release adjustable clip, which secures the snorkel to the mask when not in use. For comfort and hygiene, it also comes with a high-quality silicone mouthpiece that can be replaced and angled to reduce jaw fatigue.
TUSA Platina II Hyperdry Snorkel
The Hyperdry snorkel (SP-170) is TUSA’s premier semi-dry snorkel, incorporating brand new internal and external features that make up its patented Hyperdry System. It’s one of the most stylish and feature-packed snorkels in the market today.
Simply put, the Hyperdry System keeps the main pipe dry by ejecting water through an independent escape pipe at the bottom valve. This unique design utilizes the angle of the snorkel pipe and the resilience of the water surface to eject water. The Comfort Swivel offers a more comfortable fit since it creates no load on the mouthpiece and straightens out when you let go of it.
TUSA Hyperdry Elite II Snorkel
The new TUSA Hyperdry Elite II (SP-0101) is essentially a combination of the brand’s best snorkel features to give you more worry-free bottom times. It features a more refined and streamlined design with a low-profile dry top that protects the tube from water and an angled, high flow purge chamber that utilizes gravity to make purging water quick and effortless.
Just like other ergonomically designed snorkels, its shaped bottom follows the contour of the swimmer. So, it’s easy to access but doesn’t interfere with the field of view or operational space, especially when you’re fishing with a speargun.
Oceanic Ultra SD Snorkel
As another well-known brand of swimming and diving equipment, Oceanic offers several products that have become an integral part of many snorkelers’ surface and deep-diving gear. The brand’s cost-efficient, convenient, and specially designed snorkels are minimalist two-tone snorkels that match the rest of your gear.
Unlike most of the snorkels on this list, the Oceanic Ultra SD features a semi-dry (SD) design that uses a patent-pending deflector to keep moisture out of the tube in case of wind and surface splashing. This is why the top doesn’t have a large cover (which ideally keeps more water out in case of stronger waves). But with the oversized purge valve at the bottom, clearing the airway only takes a second.
Cressi Free Diving Corsica Snorkel
This seemingly simple and classic-looking snorkel is actually a new and highly technological snorkel. It has been designed specifically for deep fishing and free diving. The tube of the Corsica is characterized by the use of a new concept of special polymers that have excellent shape memory. This allows the snorkel to bend against objects and then spring back into its original position.
The mouthpiece (made of hypoallergenic silicone) was designed with a special anatomical shape to minimize any feeling of discomfort, even after prolonged use. Overall, you’ll be surprised by its ease of use, durability, and more importantly, its affordability.
Sherwood TIGA Dry Snorkel
By this time, you can probably already tell that this Sherwood masterpiece has the essential functionalities of a top-notch dry snorkel. You have a closing upper valve and a lower purge valve. They work together in keeping water out of the tube. You can be sure that you’ll be able to take deep breaths of air (not water) as soon as you return to the surface.
Made of 100% high-quality silicone, the lower part of the tube is flexible, corrugated, and naturally curved. All for easier access when you’re ready to use it. Its quick-disconnect (QD) snorkel keeper keeps it next to your head so it doesn’t get lost in the water. However, it also allows you to quickly detach it from your mask for safe storage in the mask box.
Atomic SV2 Semi-Dry Snorkel
If you hate using snorkels but wish to have more bottom time by conserving the contents of your air tank, the Atomic SV2 Semi-Dry Snorkel is low in profile, easy to clear, and designed to stay dryer inside throughout your dives. Its Scupper Valve (SV), which is named after the water drainage hole in the side of a ship or building, works as well as the one-way water drain valve of your regulator.
As an SV2 scuba snorkel, the lower valve is complemented by a sleek-looking semi-dry top that deflects water during waves and splashes. The specialized quick-release snorkel keeper also has a 30-degree rotating/sliding adjuster and the replaceable mouthpiece is made of comfortable silicone for your convenience.
Scubapro Spectra Dry Snorkel
Last but not least is the Scubapro Spectra Dry Snorkel, which is the perfect companion for freediving, scuba diving, and spearfishing. Don’t be intimidated by its large-bore upper tube, as it is designed to let more air inside the tube. But as a high-quality dry snorkel, the top design also seals itself automatically during each submersion.
This snorkel doesn’t get in the way of your view, speargun, or regulator, but stays with you throughout your dives thanks to the plastic snorkel keeper that only detaches when you intentionally disconnect it for safekeeping. The comfortable mouthpiece is also made of 100% liquid silicone and is replaceable in case of long-term wear and tear.
Features to look for in a snorkel
Type of water activity
When it comes to choosing the best snorkel, you need to consider what you will be using it for. If you are a scuba diver, snorkeler, and freediver, consider a simple snorkel which can be used for all three. Planning to use your snorkel for scuba diving only? Then the semi-dry or the dry snorkel is probably the best snorkel for your needs. If you are new to snorkeling and you feel nervous in the water, you might want to start with a full-face snorkel. It will keep your face covered and allow you to breathe easily and look around with comfort.
Purge valve options
Hate it when water enters your mouth? A dry snorkel or a full-face snorkel will take away that worry. If you have no problem expelling water from a snorkel and don’t mind a little water in your mouth, maybe keep it simple and go for a classic or flexible snorkel and save some money. You need to think about your preferences and needs and make the right decision for you as an individual.
One diver/snorkeler might absolutely love their dry snorkel, when another thinks it is too bulky for their needs. One diver might be happy with a simple design and choose a classic snorkel, but another might hate water from getting into their mouth. It really is a personal choice.
