The Essentials
Choosing the right snorkeling equipment is an integral part of getting into snorkeling. It will allow you to have a high-quality snorkeling experience and also help to keep you safe. Therefore, it’s essential to read each of the tips for choosing your snorkeling equipment to get the right fit and quality for your needs.
- Find out what is recommended by people in the know. You can easily find snorkeling equipment online, and information is also readily available through the retailer you selected. The adage: “You get what you pay for” is essential to keep in mind, but it is a misconception that you only get what they want to sell you. Remember, most retailers have approved equipment by the manufacturer that they stock and other certified brands.
- Find out which people in the industry recommend brands. The qualified staff at snorkeling equipment retailers are usually keen to provide lists of brands that you should look at. This is also an excellent time to ask questions, so bring your concerns and be prepared for the answers.
- Consider the kind of snorkeling you’ll be doing. Are you looking for gear that can handle a typical Hawaiian vacation? Or maybe you want more rugged gear and can withstand waters that are cooler – like in Alaska or The Great Lakes.
- Read customer reviews and make a list of which equipment appeals to you most. Online reviews are readily available on the manufacturer’s website and at snorkeling equipment retailers. First, search for the most recent customer reviews and consider others have said about different brands. Then, compare standard equipment features that appeal to you with customer reviews to see what fits your needs the best.
- Decide on your budget. This is an essential factor to consider when selecting snorkeling equipment.
- Find a store that has all the equipment you want, or just one piece, if possible. This can usually be found on the manufacturer’s website.
- Make a list of your needs. How much time do you plan on spending snorkeling each day? What is the water temperature like? Will you need to take the equipment on an airplane or ship it to a destination? Will they work with your existing mask or fins?
- Consider accessories such as cases and straps for easy transport, and choose the comfortable gear to wear.
- When picking a mask, choose the type that will fit your face and head best. Even if you’re going for a short snorkel, don’t wear goggles: they impair your natural sense of vision. Good fins are essential to get you out of the water quickly and easily with less effort. Plus, they’re also helpful in keeping you balanced in the water. The same goes for fins; if they do not fit properly, they can give your ankles blisters and not properly propel you through the water.
So which equipment do I need for snorkeling? Snorkeling usually requires masks, snorkel, fins, and floating devices. The more often you want to snorkel, the more substantial equipment you need. The equipment is mainly divided into open water and closed water. Open water includes the following equipment: snorkeling mask snorkel, we have drained from the mask to keep snorkel tip clean when swimming in a pool. Of course, open water does not leak to air out new air. Closed water can be in the pool, or preferably with the boat. There is often less air in closed water, so snorkel will be more likely to have air leaks. Closed water means the snorkel tip can not leak excess air and is excellent for holding a little buoyant, like swimming in a lake. You do not mind swimming up high when it gets a little leaky sometimes or spending time floating on the surface of open water float about that need some air, but don’t want to take off the gear.
Fins are an essential piece of equipment for snorkeling because it helps you move around the water. There are three different types of fins, and each size has a specific purpose. Standard fins are the most common; they are approximately 6 inches long and typically feature a flat base, a short rubber foot strap, and a broad side-to-side fin that matches the angle of your feet. These fins allow maximum movement in the water and prevent you from hitting the bottom with your feet while snorkeling.
Accessories To Consider
Floatation devices are not required to go snorkeling, but they are recommended for children or snorkelers who are not strong swimmers. Even strong swimmers use floatation devices to go snorkeling because it provides a place to rest and an emergency floatation device if you develop difficulty breathing or swimming due to cramps or other complications. Many snorkelers do not use floatation devices because they prevent the snorkeler from freediving. However, a good solution is to snorkel in a group or a pair.
One person can be tied to the flotation device, while another can be untethered and free dive. Alternatively, you can allow the other person the same untethered free diving opportunity. If you ever need the flotation device, it is there for you when you do want or need it.
Finally, other equipment to consider for snorkeling are accessories and underwater camera equipment. Accessories like straps or wet suits are good to have because they allow you to keep things attached to you, or in the case of wet suits, to stay warm and remain in the water longer. But, again, there are many different types of accessories, and the individual should decide what they will need to stay comfortable and organized in the ocean while snorkeling.
Cameras are not required to snorkel, yet many take cameras that shoot photos and videos underwater. Various marine life and underwater landscapes can be filmed and then shared with others or reviewed in the future. There are many reasons why a person would want to carry along a camera, and there are many choices and price ranges.
I hope you have enjoyed this article and learned what type of equipment needs to be considered before starting your snorkeling journey.
