Most people get into the scuba diving world through snorkeling. The truth is, it’s a fascinating activity that allows us to enjoy the underwater world in a fun and inexpensive way. Plus, it’s accessible to everyone.
There are plenty of countries on whose coasts we can dive into the water in search of corals, fish, and sea turtles. In most cases, you don’t need to scuba dive to spot amazing animals. You just need a good dry snorkel and a mask.
Snorkels have evolved incredibly in recent years, with many helpful features available. There are several models on the market and, therefore, it’s not easy to make a choice. The design, the valve type, the tube shape, and the mouthpiece are the most important factors to take into account.
But don’t worry! In this article, I’m going to talk about all these features so that you can find the model that best suits your needs. I’ll also review the best models of the year.
Check out other buying guides to find the best dive gloves, boots, dive bags, surface markers, waterproof watches, freediving fins, and suits.
The 10 Best Dry Snorkels:
CRESSI SUPERNOVA DRY
Here on: Amazon • LeisurePro
TYPE: Dry
USE: Snorkeling and scuba diving
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, quick-release clip, replaceable mouthpiece.
One of the best values for the money. Great floating valve mechanism. It provides a comfortable, firm bite.
This model is available in many colors.
TUSA ELITE II
Here on: Amazon • LeisurePro
TYPE: Dry
USE: Scuba diving and snorkeling
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, replaceable mouthpiece, quick-release clip holder.
Excellent valve performance and great airflow. It feels very comfortable to bite. This is undoubtedly one of the best dry snorkels on the list. It comes with a three-year warranty. On the downside, it’s a bit more expensive than the other models. As you know, quality comes at a price.
AQUALUNG IMPULSE 3
Here on: Amazon • LeisurePro
TYPE: Dry
USE: Snorkeling and scuba diving
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, patented replaceable Comfo-Bite mouthpiece, removable keeper for easy attachment and removal of the mask.
This is an improved version of the original Aqualung Impulse, now providing higher performance. The two-valve system prevents water from entering the tube. If you need to clear the snorkel, a gentle breath will do it.
MARES ERGO
Here on: Amazon • LeisurePro
TYPE: Dry
USE: Very popular for snorkeling
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, replaceable mouthpiece, rotating holder.
The mouthpiece features an ergonomic curved design for added comfort.
The purge valve makes it significantly easier to expel accumulated water from the tube.
CRESSI ALPHA ULTRA
Here on: Amazon • LeisurePro
TYPE: Dry
USE: Scuba diving, spearfishing, and snorkeling
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, replaceable mouthpiece, quick-release holder.
High-performance dry valve. Special piece made with ribbed silicone that helps keep the mouthpiece in its correct position. The elliptical bore shape improves airflow capacity.
Available in dark colors, which are great for spearfishing and freediving.
OCEANIC ULTRA DRY
Here on: Amazon • LeisurePro
TYPE: Dry
USE: Scuba diving and snorkeling
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, replaceable mouthpiece, quick-release clip.
Patented dry technology that considerably reduces the entry of water. Large purge valve to facilitate water clearing. The mouthpiece is anatomical and comfortable.
PHANTOM AQUATICS
TYPE: Dry
USE: Snorkeling and scuba diving
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, replaceable mouthpiece, quick-release holder.
One of the best deals on the list!
Phantom Aquatics brings you a reliable two-valve dry snorkel, featuring a replaceable mouthpiece and a flexible tube, all at an unbeatable price.
RIFFLE STABLE
TYPE: Dry
USE: Scuba diving and spearfishing
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, replaceable mouthpiece, quick-release clip.
Lightweight, flexible construction which makes it perfect for traveling.
Discreet colors help you go unnoticed under the water. Popular among spearfishers.
SEAC VORTEX
Here on: Amazon • LeisurePro
TYPE: Dry
USE: Snorkeling and scuba diving
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, quick-release clip.
Available in many colors so you can find the model that best suits your style.
The valves perform well. It has a comfortable bite and an attractive price.
CRESSI MINIDRY
Here on: Amazon • LeisurePro
TYPE: Dry
USE: Snorkeling with kids
FEATURES: Dry valve, flexible tube, purge valve, quick-release holder.
Fantastic model for young ones. The dry valve does a great job preventing water from entering, while the purge valve is easy to operate with a slight exhalation.
The silicone mouthpiece is specially designed for small mouths.
Types of snorkels
CLASSIC SNORKEL
This model is also known as a “J”-shaped snorkel. It’s built with a simple curved tube and a mouthpiece at the bottom. The tube can be flexible or not. The upper part of the tube is always open, without any protection.
It has been on the market for many years and, although it doesn’t offer much protection from water entry, it’s still popular among scuba divers and snorkelers. This is the cheapest type of snorkel due to its simple construction – it doesn’t feature dry mechanisms or valves. The main disadvantage is that water completely fills the tube when you descend. You’ll need to clear out the water before you can breathe again.
This is a good option to get started and for learning how to expel water from the tube. Some models are demountable, which makes them perfect for traveling. However, the removable parts may lead to leaking. Also, some people can have problems expelling all the water from the interior, which creates a risk that water will be swallowed.
SEMI-DRY SNORKEL
A semi-dry snorkel is like an improved version of the classic system. This type features a splash guard at the top of the snorkel, which prevents water from entering the tube. It’s important to note that it prevents only the entry of splashes of water. In the case of submersion, the tube will completely flood, just like the classic model. Semi-dry snorkels can be rigid or flexible. Sometimes, this model comes with a purge valve at the base.
DRY SNORKEL
Dry snorkels have the most advanced features and the best performance. They include a dry valve at the top of the tube that blocks the entry of water. It usually works with a ball-shaped buoy that floats when water gets into the valve, and that then closes it. Typically, it also features a purge valve at the base, which makes it very easy to clear out the water.
The main advantage of this type is that less water gets into the snorkel, so you don’t have to clear the tube all the time. It’s perfect for people who like to go deeper.
FULL FACE MASK
This kind of mask creates a full-face seal that prevents the entry of water inside the face area. It features a built-in dry snorkel that allows air into the mask. The main advantage is that you can breathe through your mouth and your nose, as the air circulates across your entire face. In addition, this type of mask provides a wider 180-degree view and a more comfortable feeling for those who get overwhelmed or stressed wearing traditional masks.
This type of mask is not recommended if you will be diving deeper than the surface because it makes ear equalization more difficult. Also, the mask provides positive buoyancy due to the large amount of air trapped inside it.
Rigid or flexible tube?
Today, most dry snorkels are built with flexible tubes. These tubes allow you to find a comfortable position from which to bite the mouthpiece. Most divers prefer flexible tubes over rigid ones.
Rigid tubes, as the name suggests, remain rigid and cannot be adapted to your favorite position. Although they have a curvature which is specially designed to improve the bite, they tend to feel more uncomfortable in the mouth. However, they have some advantages. For instance, they stay in place better when one is swimming on the surface.
Things to consider when finding the best dry snorkels:
SIZE OF THE DIAMETER TUBE
Snorkel tubes come in different diameters depending on the model and the purpose. Slightly wider tubes allow for greater airflow, which makes it easier to breathe in and out. These are the favorite models among beginners, as not much effort is required to breathe comfortably. Narrower tubes let in less air and, therefore, require more effort to breathe.
MATERIALS
Tubes and valves are manufactured from various plastic alloys. Mouthpieces are made mostly of silicone, which is a flexible and comfortable material that provides great durability. Some mouthpieces can be made from other materials, but they are typically not as comfortable or durable.
MOUTHPIECE DESIGN
The mouthpiece is one of the most important parts of the snorkel. You’ll want a mouthpiece that is comfortable to bite. The piece should feel comfortable in your mouth, without requiring you to bite too hard. Otherwise, your jaw might feel tight and sour at the end of the day.
I recommend that you look for a model that features replaceable mouthpieces. If you do this, you’ll have to change only the mouthpiece – and not the whole snorkel – if the mouthpiece gets damaged.
QUICK-RELEASE CLIP
Many models are designed with a quick-release clip or strap so you can easily release the snorkel from your mask.
DESIGN
The design also plays an important role in determining the bite’s comfort. The shape of the tube shouldn’t create resistance against the water, as you want to swim without feeling that the mouthpiece is pulling your mouth. Not-so-ergonomic models can make you feel tired at the end of the dive.
PURGE VALVE
Most models include a purge valve that helps you clear the tube. Any water that might have entered is collected in a small tank located at the base and is expelled through the valve when you blow. Today, these valves are common in all types of snorkels.
COLORS
You will find a wide variety of colors on the market. Obviously, you can choose the color you like best, but keep in mind that some colors are meant for certain activities. For example, bright colors are the best choice for snorkeling so that ships can see you at a distance. On the other hand, dark colors are recommended for free diving or spearfishing because they won’t scare away the fish.
Don’t buy cheap brands
There are many recognized brands that make great diving equipment, such as Cressi, Mares, Aqualung, Neosport, Seac, Oceanic, and Phantom Aquatics, to name just a few. These brands offer good snorkels for as low as $15. I recommend that you not buy a cheap model just to save a few bucks, as cheap models won’t last very long.
How to clean and care for your snorkel
As you know, it’s very important to take care of your diving equipment. Make sure to wash your snorkel after each dive. Soak it in freshwater for a while to remove any remaining sand, debris, and salt. You can use a brush to clean the inside of the tube and to access certain areas, especially if you see that some dirt is remaining.
Always store your gear in a dry, cool place, out of direct sunlight.
In case you were curious: Why are snorkels so short?
Some people wonder why snorkels aren’t longer, which would allow us to dive deeper without having to hold our breath. Well, the truth is, they are already the perfect length.
First, if more air was inside the tube, the renewal of all the air wouldn’t be guaranteed. Second, if snorkels were longer, they would be very uncomfortable to use because their resistance in the water would displace them. The result would be stress on our mouths. Finally, due to the pressure that water exerts on us and on the air at a greater depth, our lungs would have trouble breathing air from the surface.
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Hi, I’m Miguel; Adventure traveler, scuba diver and hiking lover. I have been traveling the world for the last 10 years and I hope my experiences, photos and hiking routes inspire you to travel the world too.
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