SNORKELING: Beginner snorkelers tend to go for snorkels with all the trimmings – splashguards, seal mechanisms, purge valves… you name it. These features minimize water intake into the tube and make clearing your snorkel a breeze, so you can spend your time getting used to being in the water. If it’s not obvious by now, I think you should give learning to snorkel a try! It’s an inexpensive way to get in touch with the ocean and open your travels up to a whole new, exotic world. The next type of snorkel is the semi-dry model. Unlike the classic and flexible snorkels, the semi-dry type is designed to keep water out of the tube. A final thing to think about when you are looking for the best snorkel is the clip that connects to the mask. Cheaper snorkels typically have keeper loops that work by trapping the mask strap between them. These work fine, but they are not the easiest things to adjust while you’re snorkeling.

Yes, comfort is the most important factor when you’re looking for a snorkel, and it goes beyond just the mouthpiece. While the snorkel should fit comfortably within your mouth, you also want to consider features like a splashguard if having water in your snorkel will be uncomfortable for you. Last, but by no means least, on our list of the best snorkels around is the Riffe Stable, a flexible snorkel that can stand up to the test of time.

Roxy

If water does happen to find its way into the tube, it will be immediately funneled to the lower reservoir directly in front of a one-way purge valve. One puff from you, and any accumulated water will be expelled. The Cressi Corsica might not look like much, but that doesn’t mean it’s not one of the best snorkels out there. In fact, its sleek, minimalistic design makes it an awesome snorkel for freediving as well as snorkeling because it hardly creates any drag in the water. Next on our list of the best snorkels this year is the Cressi Dry Snorkel. Like the previous two snorkels, this one has a float mechanism that closes instantly when the tube is submerged. The bottom of the tube has a small reservoir that will collect water. The purge valve allows you to expel that water by simply blowing out. Snorkelling is not a dangerous pursuit, but the truth is you can drown in knee-deep water, so it pays to be a little safety conscious.

The best part about practising somewhere calm is that you can respond to any gear hiccups and fine-tune your technique without consequences. A snorkel. This is the bit that allows you, the air-breathing mammal, to still breathe with your face in the water. Paying a little extra and getting a silicolne snorkel that fits well in your mouth is well worth it. One with a purge valve that helps keep saltwater out of your mouth is a good bonus too – though I still think a good fit is key. Water will sometimes find its way into your dry snorkel, despite the snorkel’s best efforts. This could be a few drops that sneak in before the dry mechanism closes or ocean spray that dribbles in. However, snorkel manufacturers include a one-way purge valve that allows you to discharge this water before it can interfere with your snorkeling experience. The Escape Semi-Dry is a top all-around snorkel for beginner and experienced snorkelers alike. The mouthpiece is soft and comfortable, enabling long snorkel sessions without worrying about jaw fatigue. If you get a flexible snorkel with a purge valve, you simply exhale to clear the water out of the tube. If you don’t have the purge valve, then you will have to blast out the air just like you do with the J snorkels.With the good gear and basic techniques down pat – it’s time to get practising! There’s nothing more exciting than actually getting in the water and starting to snorkel. I would suggest going slow and starting somewhere calm, though. Once you’ve got some good gear, it’s time to get your technique down pat. Good technique will mean you can stay in the water longer and feel stronger as you do it. Finally, this snorkel comes in both rigid and flexible (featuring a corrugated tube section) models. So, whether you like your mouthpiece to fall away or rigid snorkels that don’t ‘wobble’, you won’t have to miss out. That’s why here we’ve put together this handy guide to the best snorkels around – so, whether you’re a snorkeler, freediver, or scuba diver, you can find the snorkel that’s right for you.