The 10 Best Snorkeling Fins
This wiki has been updated 17 times since it was first published in February of 2020. Snorkeling is one of the most accessible water activities. Unlike diving, it doesn't require any technical expertise, nor does it necessitate the purchase of a lot of expensive gear. That being said, it is still important to use a high-quality pair of fins to ensure the most pleasant experience possible. This list includes both short-bladed and traditional flippers to suit every need. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Cressi Palau SAF
2. Seavenger Toprpedo
3. Cressi Pluma
Editor's Notes
March 02, 2020:
Thanks to the relatively limited equipment needed for snorkeling, the entry cost is quite low and the activity can be enjoyed by almost anyone who knows how to swim. Of course, you'll still want a decent mask that seals to your face and a pair of comfortable fins if you want to have a hassle-free experience.
If you travel often and like to snorkel in exotic locations on your vacations, then you will probably be best served by flippers with a short blade, such as the Cressi Palau SAF, Seavenger Toprpedo, Wildhorn Outfitters Topside, Head Mares Volo One, and US Divers Trek. You shouldn't have any trouble fitting any of these into a carry-on or backpack, while still leaving yourself plenty of space for clothes and other necessities. Except for the Wildhorn Outfitters Topside, all the rest of these have an open-heel design that allows them to conform to a range of foot sizes and still get a secure fit. It also allows them to be used with dive booties if you'll be swimming in temperate water. The Wildhorn Outfitters Topside have an innovative design with an incorporated neoprene boot that most will find makes them extremely comfortable. Additionally, the blade extends from the top of the foot, which not only helps maximize the surface area of their short blade, but also makes them easy to walk with on dry land.
One of the biggest downsides to short-blade fins is that they can't create as much thrust as longer flippers, so if your goal is to move as quickly as possible through the water, they may not be the best choice. If you don't travel to faraway locations for your snorkeling trips, you will probably be better suited with full-length fins, such as the Cressi Pluma, Scubapro Go Travel, Aqua Lung Stratos 3, SEAC Speed, and U.S. Divers Proflex FX. The Scubapro Go Travel are a versatile option that can actually be used for some recreation diving as well, so if you often take part in both activities and want one pair of fins to use for both, they are a smart choice. Plus, they have a stackable design that helps them pack down compactly for travel or storage.
4. Scubapro Go Travel
5. Wildhorn Outfitters Topside
6. Aqua Lung Stratos 3
7. Head Mares Volo One
8. SEAC Speed
9. US Divers Trek
10. U.S. Divers Proflex FX
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.