Best Snorkeling Gear For Beginners

Are you keen to learn to snorkel during your travels? If you’re going snorkeling for the first time, these are our recommendations for best snorkeling gear for beginners.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or an advanced user; finding the best snorkel gear is crucial to ensure you’re safe and comfortable during your ocean excursions.

Check out the best snorkeling gear and snorkeling sets to see how you can get the most bang for your buck during your adventures.

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What Is a Snorkeling Set?

A snorkeling set is a package that contains:

• A mask
• Snorkel
• Fins

Purchasing a snorkel set is typically more lucrative and cost-effective than purchasing each item separately. Plus, you can rest assured that if you buy a snorkel set, all of the pieces will fit together and provide the perfect seal for your face. 

Buying snorkeling gear from a reliable brand can ensure you stay safe while you’re underwater. Beginners and advanced users can find a snorkel set that works for their needs, price range, and preferences.

Top Snorkeling Sets

Here are the best snorkeling sets you can get right now:

Cressi Palau Snorkel Set: Best for Comfort 

One of the best snorkeling sets on the market is the Cressi Palau snorkel set. In this set, you will find the Onda mask that uses high-quality material and provides a tight seal to your face to avoid any water leaking. 

The comfortable construction and snug fit of this mask ensure that it will last years. Many users love that it contains two windows and features an open heel.

Pros

This snorkel set is durable and provides clear visibility for you to see everything around you. The carry bag is perfect for lugging your snorkeling gear around.

Cons

The angle of the snorkel means you can only mount it on your left, which reduces the user-functionality for beginner snorkelers. 

Phantom Aquatics Velocity: Best for Beginners On A Budget

The second snorkel set that we recommend for beginners is the Phantom set. This set is the perfect choice for snorkelers who are new to the sport and need something that can provide clear vision and minimal drag. 

By using a one-touch clasp, beginners can easily create a tight seal and avoid leaks. 

Pros

The positives of this mask include the full field of vision in all directions and the beginner-friendly construction that works well for children and teenagers.

Cons

The purge valve needs to be cleaned more often than other designs, making it more tedious to use. 

Promate: Best for Ease of Use

The Promate snorkel set offers a great value for what you will pay, since it’s easy to use, suitable for beginners, and reduces drag while you’re in the water. The single lens provides a full field of vision and lets you see in all directions – and the set comes in five different colors.

Pros

The fins are very easy to get on and off. The mask will also comfortably fit on most face shapes without leaving indents or pressing too hard.

Cons

The mask only comes in two sizes, reducing the versatility for those with bigger-sized faces or children using the mask. 

US Divers Cozumel: Best Value Snorkeling Set

Another set that we love for snorkeling is the US Divers Cozumel set. This snorkeling option comes with everything a beginner may need to get started with the sport, including:

• Fins
• A carrying case
• Goggles
• A tube
• An adjustable buckle for a tight fit

Pros 

The fins are very comfortable and durable for long-lasting use, ensuring you get a great deal for the money you spend. 

Cons

The mask will fog easily, making it less convenient to use in certain weather conditions. 

TUSA Sport Adult Splendive Mask and Snorkel Combo: Best for Larger Faces

We like the TUSA snorkel set because it works well for larger faces. A bigger adult will like using this snorkel mask to keep water out of their vision and from getting in their nose. Plus, if water does somehow get in, users can access the dump valve to get the water out quickly.

Pros

Users love this snorkel set because it’s lightweight and works well for those who travel long distances on a plane.

Cons

The fins in this snorkel set could be too short for some advanced users who need longer fins for more control. 

Aqua Lung Vision: Best for Easy Cleaning

The Aqua Lung snorkeling set is one of the top options for best snorkeling gear — and here’s why! This frameless mask is more comfortable than those with a hard plastic material that can cause indents on your face. Plus, the purge valve makes it easy to dump water and clean after use. 

Pros

This mask is frameless and low volume among the comfortable for multi-hour use for many days in a row.

Cons

The snorkeling set doesn’t come with fins, meaning you will have to spend more money in the long run on additional supplies. 

Seavenger Voyager: Best for Long Snorkeling Excursions

The Seavenger Voyager is one of the top snorkel sets for beginners due to its maneuverability, silicone mask that conforms to your face shape, and compact construction. The lightweight material is great for those who want to carry it with them on an all-day excursion.

Pros

The design of this snorkel set is stylish and aesthetic, and the sets come in several different colors.

Cons

The dry snorkel valve may not engage at certain angles, which can cause water build-up within the mask. 

Innovative Scuba Concepts: Best for Beginners and Advanced Users

We love the Innovative Scuba Concepts snorkeling set for beginners and advanced users. Since this snorkel set is in the midrange in terms of pricing, it contains features of high-end snorkel sets, while remaining at an affordable price. 

Despite having short fins, they do an adequate job of helping propel you through the water at higher speeds without crying too much drag.

Pros

The best parts about this snorkel set are the sturdy and durable snorkel clip and the short fins that are more compact and packable than longer options.

Cons

The foot pockets on the fins are big, which can reduce the transportation possibilities.

Aqua Lung Sport Flexar: Best for Agility 

We like the Aqua Lung snorkeling set due to the mid-range price, frameless mask and viewing window, and mid-length fins for agility and maneuverability. 

Plus, the textured grip helps keep the snorkel safe and secure during use. We like this semi-dry snorkel mask for a variety of conditions. 

Pros

The frameless mask is more comfortable and secure than other options. Plus, the textured fins help keep them safe and in your hands during use.

Cons

People who need large fins may not be able to use this snorkeling set, reducing the versatility of the set for all users. 

US Divers Admiral: Best for Variety

This contoured snorkel design is an easy-to-use set that will keep out the water when you snorkel. Nobody wants a wet snorkel! Plus, the streamlined profile is comfortable and snug on your face to avoid any distractions. We like the adjustable strap on the fins to help keep them secure during use too! Some other great features include:

• Various bright colors options
• Many sizing options
• Includes a hypoallergenic mouthpiece

Pros

This set has a large lens for panoramic viewing, lightweight construction for easy packing and transportation, and a snug fit for users of all sizes.

Cons

The adjustment straps can sometimes come loose, which can reduce the security of the snorkeling set.

 

Zipoute Full Face Snorkel Mask: Best for Kids (But Great For Adults Too!)

This unique snorkeling set is a different option for those who want to try something new when it comes to snorkeling. This odd-looking contoured dry snorkel mask may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it definitely deserves a spot on this list. 

We like how this mask helps you breathe normally through your nose and mouth during use, which can make it a good choice for beginners or children snorkeling for the first time. 

Pros

We love the 180-degree vision that provides nearly panoramic views of everything around you! Plus, the lens doesn’t fog during use.

Cons 

The construction of this mask might make you feel a little claustrophobic until you get used to it.

Cressi Premium: Best for Convenience

The Cressi Premium snorkel set is a great choice for those who are new to the sport. This entry-level set helps keep water out, provides a comfortable fit on the face, and helps prevent jaw pain.

Pros

This snorkel set is a great value for the money and can fit various face shapes, ensuring you will get long-lasting use out of this mask.

Cons

The snorkel is too pliable and can move around during use, reducing the ability to keep water out in all conditions. 

Final Thoughts – Best Snorkeling Gear For Beginners

Before you choose snorkeling gear that will work for your skill level and personal preferences, there are a few aspects to keep in mind during the buying process. 

Overall, choosing the best snorkel set comes down to comfort, price, durability, material, and sizing. With this list of the best snorkeling sets for beginners, you’re bound to find the perfect snorkeling gear for your needs.