A dumb snorkel question

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:28 pm

I'm soooo confuuuused! I'm still trying to make a decision on what kind of snorkel gear to buy. I haven't been to any actual dive shops yet, but I've looked at several sporting goods stores and there are so many different kinds. What I usually find are those pre-packaged deals with the snorkel & mask in a plastic bubble package and they run anywhere from $9.99 to $29.99. I know that to test to see if the mask is going to leak you hold it up to your face and breathe in and see if it "sticks" or falls off, but with these pre-packaged jobs, you can't try the mask on. We aren't avid snorkelers as of right now (but hoping for more in the future!) so we don't need super professional equipment, but I want something "good" that won't bum me out when I find out my mask is leaking at Salt Pond!

Any opinions out there? Suggestions? Is "cheap" really cheap? Do you get what you pay for? Should I go with something in a mid-cost range, or go for broke and get the expensive gear?

Diana2 · Post by **Diana2** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:30 pm

Go to a dive shop and buy what fits. Get a mask that fits and have them help you select it.

I didn't need a new mask but I just bought some great full foot split fins and a 'dry' snorkel. I think I paid around $50 for the fins and $50 for the snorkel tube. I'm just back from a trip to Bonaire where I snorkeled for 1 1/2-2 hours every day. I really am happy with this my new equipment. Believe me once you get into snorkeling your gonna love it. Don't waste your money on the cheap stuff. It's like everything else, you get what you pay for.

nascarfan59 · Post by **nascarfan59** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:15 pm

Hey CA girl I had the same problem because of my cookie duster. I loved to snorkel but could not find a mask that would get a good seal. Last time in St. John I found a mask that had a Nitril black rubber seal that went right below my nose that worked great! It was one provided on the day sail we went on. Wanted to buy one when we got back to town but the surf shop by the Beach Bar wanted $100. Ouch! Might have to bite the bullet in May if I can't find anything else that works. Hope too see you guys when we are down there

Remember the first round is on me!!!

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:22 pm

We bought some Body Glove combo sets with the snorkel that closes up so water doesn't go in at Sports Authority in New Orleans for about $80 - $100 (came with a backpack, fins, mask, and snorkel) that we were able to open and try on before buying. I later found the same set at Sam's for about $40 and bought an extra one.

They have served their purpose well. I recommended them to my family when they were going down, and I think that anyone that got them were happy with them.

The only time we really do any snorkeling is on STJ so we didn't see spending more than that...especially since we thought the one time we went down was going to be our only time...glad that wasn't the case.

nothintolose

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 12:59 am

nothintolose wrote: The only time we really do any snorkeling is on STJ so we didn't see spending more than that...especially since we thought the one time we went down was going to be our only time...glad that wasn't the case.

Yeah, that's sort of the same situation I'm in. I hope to be able to say I used it a lot someday, but for now it may only get used this one time, so I don't want to get the most expensive stuff. But at the same time, I want good quality.

Coden · Post by **Coden** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:10 am

We are no snorkel experts to say the least, but we bought 1 set at Wal-greens for $3.99 and two sets at a local sports store for $17.99 and all three masks fit my husband, our son, his friend and myself, and we all have different face shapes. Our son and I though now have our prescription masks, and we didn't try them on before purchasing them, we had no way to do that. And they fit us perfect.

I think now, with the material that is being used, that most masks fits most people. Or that seems to be what I've read while investigating our prescription masks.

Just my 2 cents for what its worth!

susan & herb · Post by **susan & herb** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:02 am

We bought our snorkels when we got down to St John for the first time. Got them at Cruz Bay Water Sports, that had good selection and were able to give us some advise as first time snorkelers. I don't remember the cost, but it was moderate, and the snorkels worked really well. They were substantial, not flimsy. We did not buy fins. We rented fins and of course, since I really don't swim well, a belt. Worked out great, and the cost is minimal for the week. This way, you don't have to drag the fins down with you.

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:11 am

Hey there West Coast Girl,

There is no such thing as a "DUMB" question

I agree with the others, don't put a lot of money into the mask, at least not now. We bought our own a few years ago, when we realized how much snorkeling we do and will do. Went to a local dive shop, got fitted, put out some $$, but not too bad. Plus I wanted the prescription lenses, which are awesome!!

Experience showed over the years that I was a hard fit. We would always either rent or use ones available with a snorkel charter. So for me it was worth the investment. Once when in Hawaii we rented for 2 weeks and it took 4 trips to get one that didn't leak. That was the last straw for me.

So right now the snorkel gear is clean, packed, and ready to roll..................hee hee. Yeah, I'll be thinking about YOU & your snorkel gear when I'm jamming to the jazz in New Orleans next May!!

Good luck on whatever you decide!

Jan (akaCharlie)
Toes in the Sand: 7 days

SarahD · Post by **SarahD** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:17 am

I would go to one or two dive shops and at least look at their masks. They have them (at least around here) for as low as $50. I'm a firm believer in the saying "you get what you pay for". Our last trip, the couple that traveled with us bought the type of package snorkel set you mentioned and the strap around the mask broke on day 3.

We've only used our masks/snorkels 4 times, but it was well worth the expense.

Just another opinion,
SarahD

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:33 am

First, it is not a dumb question.
Second, buy the best you can afford.
We have been snorkeling since the early 80's. We don't go often and most of the time we buy new stuff every 4-5 years. The equipment sure has improved over the years. I like an all clear mask. I feel like a get a better view because I can see from the sides too. We also used to have big fins and they were really scuba diving fins. I like my smaller snorkel fins better. Having fins that go over booties is kind of nice so you can walk out on rocky areas and have less of a chance of stepping on something sharp. However, that set up seems to be for large scuba diving fins. I haven't really looked at new fins in about 5-6 years, so I will be looking at what is out there also. Diver's Direct is where we got our last equipment.

tencats · Post by **tencats** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:12 pm

Just a little advice, I think I too, may be a hard fit, so before next trip will be at scuba shop, to get good mask. We will literally spend 6-8 hours a day in the water face down if left to our own devices on STJ. I will go the extra to be sure that my mask fits. However, for new fins and dry snorkels - I really like the ocean master, is truelly dry, and can change mouthpieces for folks with smaller mouths, makes for more comfort, I will order on-line. Last time I looked you can get an oceanmaster for around $36, fins in a range of prices, and booties really reasonable. FlaGeorge can correct me, but I believe that if you are intending to use boots/shoes with your fins, you generally just want to order/purchase a size larger.
I would for sure want to have a mask that fit and did not leak, due to leaks on my first snorkel trip, I missed alot that others I was with saw, several queen angels, etc while I was getting the salt water out of my eyes, and letting the tip of my nose get a break... it hurt

Good Luck, and Enjoy!

Pickle · Post by **Pickle** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 8:43 pm

When we bought snorkel equipment for the first time, it was for a trip to French Polynesia and we went for quality ones instead of cheap ones. Since we were visiting some remote atolls, we didn’t want to take any risks of having a lousy time in the water with poor equipment and ending up ruining our vacation. I’m not sure if we would have bought the same equipment if it had been for St. John. Unlike remote atolls, there are dive shops on St. John where you can get decent gear if you really hate what you’ve got. So it won’t be the end of your vacation even if you run into troubles with whatever you decide to buy. I’m sure you would like to avoid that but at least you’ll have that option there.
We are glad that we went ahead and got quality equipment (we weren’t sure at the time of the purchase) because we quickly found out that we love snorkeling and the equipment we bought has been working great for the past 7 years. But that’s just how well it worked out for us and I’m sure other people have different stories. If you are hesitant to buy quality ones, I would suggest that you pay as much as you are comfortable paying and see how things turn out. When you realize that you love snorkeling, which I’m pretty sure you will, you can upgrade your equipment if you’d like. Good luck!

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:25 am

I think the brand name (US Divers etc) prepackaged sets that have a 100% silicone skirt (check the labels) for the mask and mouth piece and at least a semi-dry or splash resistant snorkel top are actually pretty good quality and work well for probably 8 out of 10 people.
Maybe buy one of these sets and have your crew try it out in a pool at the local Y or high school and see who it works for, then buy more of the same or head to the dive shop.
JMQ

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:42 am

I really think that it is worth it to go to a dive shop and get fitted for a mask. We've had the kits before, and they usually end up leaking after a week or so. I find leaky masks to be incredibly frustrating!

We spend a lot of our vacation time snorkeling, so for us it is worth the extra cost to have a high quality mask and a dry snorkel.

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:14 pm

I'd encourage you to stay away from the depart store grade equipment. The folks we went down with this past spring had purchased "display packaged" outfits that I recall were around $50. 3 out of 4 of their masks broke the first time they went in the water. Thank goodness the villa had some loaners they happily used. Plastic is a funny material, salt water, u-vs and age can make it brittle. I encourage you to at least buy your mask from a dive shop. the snorkel and fins are not as critical, but a bad pair of fins can ruin your vacation (ie blisters and sores). Good luck.

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