Beginning Snorkel Equipment

[LibrarianCruiser]

Hi all.

 

We're going on a 9-day Bahamas cruise, and plan to hit the beach at most ports. We don't want to do *serious* snorkeling, but would like to swim around and see some fish.

 

We know we can rent snorkels and masks, but it seems to be more cost efficient to buy them and bring them along (we're driving to the port, so we have more luggage luxury than if we were flying).

 

Any recommendations on a decent (but not expensive) beginner snorkel set? I was looking at the US Divers "dry" snorkels, which seem to run about $30 with a mask, and appear to have good reviews...

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks! :)

[Capt_BJ]

US Divers was a very decent brand in the past ....

 

Your problem is fit. I can't tell you that the set you see will be a good fit. Different face shapes require different mask shapes.

 

I pay more than $30 for a snorkel and over $100 for a mask .... or I should say I did over 20 years ago and am still using the same equipment.

 

Do you ski? Would you decide to avoid rental fees by purchasing a $25 set of boots and similar skies?

 

If I decide to invest $ in gear I want to ensure the stuff fits . . . spending a few bucks on equipment that lasts 20 years or more is not foolish. (p.s. in this case weight gain won't matter usually !!!!! )

 

If you want to buy gear find a dive shop and get gear that fits.

 

Or accept that the stuff you bought is little better (and maybe not) than the stuff you bought.

[gatorsfam]

we left a great snorkel and mask out in the water on mahogany bay a couple weeks back.. you're welcome to it if you can find it. otherwise, you're headed the right direction with that $30 set... for a week long,its great to have your own gear for sure

[Stevesan]

US Divers was a very decent brand in the past ....

 

Your problem is fit. I can't tell you that the set you see will be a good fit. Different face shapes require different mask shapes.

 

I pay more than $30 for a snorkel and over $100 for a mask .... or I should say I did over 20 years ago and am still using the same equipment.

 

Do you ski? Would you decide to avoid rental fees by purchasing a $25 set of boots and similar skies?

 

If I decide to invest $ in gear I want to ensure the stuff fits . . . spending a few bucks on equipment that lasts 20 years or more is not foolish. (p.s. in this case weight gain won't matter usually !!!!! )

 

If you want to buy gear find a dive shop and get gear that fits.

 

Or accept that the stuff you bought is little better (and maybe not) than the stuff you bought.

 

But the wrinkles that accompany age do matter. My mask is 10 years old. It still fits, but now I have to smooth out my cheeks (face cheeks, that is:p) to stay dry.

BTW - I paid $150 for my mask with prescription lenses. I immediately became a snorkel addict, so it was an excellent investment.

 

I've seen several folks fussing with a $30 mask that they bought in a Walmart shrink wrap snorkel package because it doesn't fit.

 

I copied the ultimate mask fitting procedure from this board. It's lengthy, but the essence of it is important in getting a proper fit:

 

Mask Fitting

 

How many times have you gone into a dive store, tried a mask that seemed to fit just great, got on an airplane to halfway around the world, jumped into the water and the mask leaked? There seems to be a nearly universal way to try a mask, which unfortunately happens to be the wrong way. Put the mask on, inhale through your nose and guess what? The mask fits. Right? Wrong!

 

The big mistake is that no one dives or snorkels with a vacuum in their mask or shouldn't be if they are. By inhaling through the nose, an unnatural seal is created. Some divers have tried on masks that don't even come close to fitting but as soon as they inhale, a tight seal is created. While diving though, they are not constantly trying to inhale through their nose (which is what the store clerk told them to do) and now the mask leaks.

 

Someone told a tale of a dive store that displays all masks without straps. The idea apparently is to check that a really good vacuum makes a really good fit. Once again, no one dives trying to inhale through their nose constantly and without a strap no less.

 

Almost all modern masks have an outer seal and a narrower inner seal. This inside seal covers everywhere except just under the nose. If both of these seals touch the face than the odds of that mask fitting and not leaking are very good. This is done by putting the mask on with the strap loose, but in place, and then tightening it to what would be normal if you were diving. Some divers who have had very bad masks are in the habit of over tightening the strap on a new mask in hopes of a better seal. Don't do that especially while trying masks for fit.

 

The next step takes a second person or a mirror. Look around the entire inside of the mask checking to see that the inner seal touches everywhere. It is very important not to inhale through the nose which forces the mask seals to touch if they didn't naturally. Next check the outside seal the same way.

 

If the inner seal is not touching the face, especially next to the side of the eyes, it is likely the mask won't work well. But do check everywhere around the inside. The outer seal might keep water from dripping in but not as well as if both seals touch. Make sure the seals do not cut across any hairline or eyebrows. Also that the side seals are not right at the edge of the eye.

 

One other problem can occur when someone laughs, smiles or even squints. This motion creates lines or wrinkles next to the nose. Sometimes this makes a passage where water pours in. Almost every mask will leak when this happens. So don't laugh! Occasionally, depending on the person, these wrinkles may remain even after they stop laughing. In this case it may be necessary to straighten the face by pulling down or sideways on the cheeks. Again this is not necessarily a mask problem. So don't run out and buy a new mask.

 

If absolutely necessary, to keep everyone happy, you can now inhale slightly to check any unseen leaks. Sometimes a mask leaks around the glass. This is very unusual and is a one off problem, not the design of the mask. You can check this by holding the mask with the face plate parallel to the floor and putting water in the mask. If the face plate seal is faulty, drops of water will appear on the outside.

 

Don't be fooled by the size of a mask's frame and lenses. This has little if anything to do with how a masks fits. People will look for what seems like a narrow or wide mask, depending, but what counts is the size of the skirt where your face is actually touching the mask. An exaggerated example but if the lens of a mask is 1 foot wide but the skirt is only 4 inches, this would fit a rather narrow face but the mask looks huge.

 

[cruisin crazy in Michigan]

Excellent instructions on how to buy a very expensive mask. Since I snorkel once or twice a year on a cruise, my $30 mask set at K-mart works great! I like to bring mine especially for private island stopovers such as Half Moon Cay.

 

On our last cruise we stopped by a restaurant in Turks & Caicos and snorkeled off shore with our own gear. It's convenient to own your own equipment.

[emosewa]

Costco used to have an inexpensive Body Glove Set for about 30-40$ certain times of the year, and I bought it a few years ago, fits good and it is great quality. Very happy with it and will use it for years to come. Remember to rinse everything off in fresh water.;)

Emosewa:cool:

[The Flying Pirate]

The main thing is to get gear that fits and fits well. It doesn't matter if you get it at a dive shop or Costco just make sure it fits well. Same for the fins. I would also suggest dive booties or at least a pair of socks to prevent blisters from the fins.

 

I strongly suggest going to a dive shop and trying things on. Talk to the employees there and listen to their recommendations. They don't work on commission other than they want you to have a good experience so you will hopefully come back and want to learn to dive and become a repeat customer.

[The Flying Pirate]

Hi all.

 

We're going on a 9-day Bahamas cruise, and plan to hit the beach at most ports. We don't want to do *serious* snorkeling, but would like to swim around and see some fish.

 

We know we can rent snorkels and masks, but it seems to be more cost efficient to buy them and bring them along (we're driving to the port, so we have more luggage luxury than if we were flying).

 

Any recommendations on a decent (but not expensive) beginner snorkel set? I was looking at the US Divers "dry" snorkels, which seem to run about $30 with a mask, and appear to have good reviews...

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks! :)

 

The dry snorkels are awesome. I first thought they were a gimmick but after trying one I went out and bought one. I now have two. They are awesome.

[Islandbear]

US Diver & Bodyglove are both great for starting out. They do come in different sizes so check their websites for fitting. try and find a sporting goods store that stocks the full line so you can try them on and find one that fits comfortably. I would spend my money on a good snorkeling excusion once you get to the islands and then if you have a GREAT time which I am sure you will. invest in better gear and keep the old set for a back-up or even better give it to a friend on your next cruise so they can learn!!!!!:D

[GreySkies]

I'm going on a 2 week cruise and only plan on snorkeling in Aruba at this point. However, knowing that I've been to Hawaii and will be back, I know I'll go snorkeling again.

 

What I did was look for PADI 5 Star SCUBA shops. It turned out that Sport Chalet near my mom is one of them. I went, asked for some help, was given some and chose a mask to try. I asked what the return policy was, and the response was within 30 days. I chose one that cost $50 plus tax.

 

As for testing the snorkel and mask, I knew the only way that I would know is by actually getting in water. I did this at the pool where I live about an hour ago and the mask worked great! When I turned my head, water didn't seep in like when I was in Hawaii. I also know that I need to practice going under with and clearing the snorkel, so I'll be at the pool quite a bit between now and my trip.

 

Hope this helps,

[highflyingrealtor]

Your entry level Body Glove or US Divers gear will be better than most rental stuff that's been used and abused. Plus it's nice to know where your snorkel's been...:D

[Turtles06]

We decided to buy our own masks and snorkels before our recent Bahamas cruise. We went to a local dive shop where they helped with fit and information. We snorkeled in Nassau and it was great to have our own, well-fitting equipment. We'd also opted for dry snorkels, and I couldn't believe that I could dive down and not have water in the snorkel. I definitely second the recommendation to go to a good dive shop if you can.