Updated October 21, 2022
When swimming on the surface as a freediver or as a scuba diver before and after the dive, a snorkel makes it possible to continuously look around underwater without having to raise your head to breathe. If surface conditions are choppy with water splashing over your head or you start a descent, a dry snorkel has a mechanism to prevent water from entering the tube, keeping your airway free of water and maintaining a level of comfort and safety.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of dry snorkels on the market today. To help cut down your shopping and browsing time, some of the best in the range have been selected as an introduction. First, there is a buying guide, followed by reviews with key features, specifications, pros, and cons, and a comparison table.
Please use the comments section at the bottom if you have any questions or concerns. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For other mask and snorkel reviews that may be of interest, please check out these posts:
- Best Scuba Diving Masks – Top 10 Reviewed and Compared
- Best Scuba Mask With a Purge Valve
- Best Freediving Masks
- Best Prescription Snorkel Mask
Best Dry Snorkel Reviews
- Cressi Super Nova
- XS Scuba M-Line
- Cressi Alpha Ultra
- Phantom Aquatics
- Tusa Hyper Dry Elite
- Riffe Stable
- Oceanic Ultra
- SEAC Vortex
- Mares Ergo
Buying Guide – How to Choose the Best Dry Snorkel
Types of Snorkels
There are three: classic, semi-dry, and dry snorkels.
- Classic: This is the type that has always been around that is open at the top. There is nothing preventing water from entering through splashing or upon descent. Not having a purge valve at the bottom, a powerful exhalation is required to clear it. Classic snorkels are the simplest in design and cheapest.
- Semi-dry: This type improves on the classic model by incorporating a splash guard on the top end preventing a lot of the water from entering while you’re on the surface. On the descent, however, it will fill with water.
- Dry: A dry snorkel has a valve on the top that closes when water gets to the point of entry keeping all water outside. Splashes and waves cannot get inside the tube when you are on the surface and it doesn’t fill with water on the descent. When it comes time to breathe through the snorkel again, no clearing is necessary.
Purge Valve
When you clear a classic snorkel all the water must exit through the top. A purge valve at the bottom below the mouthpiece allows easier clearing by allowing you to blow the water a shorter distance out the bottom. When not blowing, it closes preventing any entry of water through it. Any sand or debris in the valve can cause it to leak, so it should be cleaned thoroughly after each dive.
Rigid versus Flexible Models
Cheaper and many classical models use rigid tubing. In such a case, you may not be able to position the snorkel comfortably or in the ideal location. There is more variability in how you can place the tube against your head and the mouthpiece in your mouth with flexible tubing. However, when rigid tubing is employed, the snorkel will stay in place more firmly when swimming through the water.
Diameter of the Tubing
There is some variability in the diameter of the tube from model to model. The latest models mostly use wider gauge tubing which is easier to breathe through. Some snorkels designed for children employ a narrower tube. Larger people may need to consider this factor in the selection process.
Replaceable Mouthpiece
Cheaper snorkels often have built-in mouthpieces that cannot be replaced. When they wear out, it is time to buy a new snorkel. Often these mouthpieces are not too comfortable. Better snorkels have replaceable mouthpieces that enable using one that fits the individual and can be easily discarded when worn out.
Best Dry Snorkels
- Features: purge, dry valve, flexible tube, replaceable mouthpiece, many available colors
- Weight: 5.9 ounces
- Pros: lightweight, low price, easy to clear, comfortable
- Cons: let me know
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $
- Features: purge, dry valve, flexible tube, replaceable mouthpiece, several available colors
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Pros: quick release snorkel keeper, easy to clear, comfortable
- Cons: a little heavy, large mouthpiece (can replace with a size that fits better)
- Rating: 4.8
- Price: $$$
- Features: purge, dry valve, flexible tube, replaceable mouthpiece, several available colors
- Weight: 6.4 ounces
- Pros: comfortable, lightweight, dry valve seals completely and quickly
- Cons: a few users have reported the dry valve may stick
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
- Features: purge, dry valve, flexible tube, replaceable mouthpiece, six available colors
- Weight: 6.4 ounces
- Pros: low priced, comfortable angled mouthpiece, lightweight
- Cons: a few users have reported the dry valve may stick
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $
- Features: purge, dry valve, flexible tube, replaceable mouthpiece, cobalt blue color
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
- Pros: lightweight, comfortable, stays dry, lightweight
- Cons: not the cheapest
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $$$$
- Features: purge, dry valve, flexible tube, replaceable mouthpiece, vinyl tube, black color
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
- Pros: lightweight, high-quality vinyl used, easy clearing, low profile, comfortable
- Cons: not the cheapest
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$$
- Features: purge, dry valve, flexible tube, replaceable mouthpiece, two colors available
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Pros: stays dry, low profile design
- Cons: not the cheapest
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$$$
- Features: purge, dry valve, flexible tube, replaceable mouthpiece, many color combinations available
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Pros: low priced, stays dry, oval dump valve, comfortable
- Cons: let me know
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $
- Features: purge, dry valve, flexible tube, replaceable mouthpiece, many color combinations available
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
- Pros: lightweight, reasonably priced, stays dry, adjustable snorkel keeper, comfortable
- Cons: some users have reported the dry valve tends to stick, the clip isn’t durable
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
Dry Snorkel Comparison Table
| Picture | Dry Snorkels | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Cressi Super Nova | 4.8 | $ |
  | XS Scuba M-Line | 4.8 | $$$ |
  | Cressi Alpha Ultra | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Phantom Aquatics | 4.6 | $ |
  | Tusa Hyper Dry Elite | 4.6 | $$$$ |
  | Riffe Stable | 4.7 | $$$$ |
  | Oceanic Ultra | 4.5 | $$$$ |
  | SEAC Vortex | 4.6 | $ |
  | Mares Ergo | 4.5 | $$ |
| Picture | Dry Snorkels | Rating | Price |
For other mask and snorkel reviews that may be of interest, please check out these posts:
- Best Scuba Diving Masks – Top 10 Reviewed and Compared
- Best Scuba Mask With a Purge Valve
- Best Freediving Masks
- Best Prescription Snorkel Mask
Feedback and Comments
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