Snorkeling can be enjoyed by the entire family as an uncomplicated entrance into the underwater world. You’ll need at minimum a mask, snorkel, and fins with no huge investment in training, guiding fees or other expensive gear to get your start. When choosing the right set of fins there are a number of options to consider. I’ll present some guidelines to help you decide and introduce a range of the best fins available. After that is a table with key features for comparison.
Best Snorkeling Fins Buying Guide
Full Foot or Open Heel Fins
- Full Foot – These are designed for you to place your foot directly into the opening without using a bootie or a sock. They are much simpler to put on and take off and appropriate for warm water. You’ll need to know your foot size for a correct fit.
- Open Heel – These have an adjustable strap to accommodate a range of sizes and usually require a bootie. In the case of some of the short snorkeling fins, it is possible to go with a sock or barefoot. For the longer fins, there is the risk of chafing or abrasions from the strap. A benefit of using foot protection like booties is in the event you need to make a lengthy walk onshore before or after snorkeling.
Long Fins or Short Fins – Experienced snorkelers and freedivers tend to choose longer fins as less effort is required to propel you through the water. Short fins are smaller and lighter and easier to travel with and a little easier to use for the less experienced. They can also be used for other water sports like bodyboarding. Some swimmers also use them as a training aid. The kicking technique used with short blades more closely resembles the flutter kick used in swimming as opposed to scuba or freediving techniques.
Budget – Most top scuba fins can be used for snorkeling and prices go into the hundreds of dollars. If you already have them, then go ahead and use them, if you like. However, a good pair of short snorkeling fins can begin under $20. For high-quality longer fins like the ones we review here, you need not spend more than $100.
Best Snorkeling Fins Reviews
- US Divers Trek
- Cressi Pluma
- Cressi Palau
- Oceanic Viper
- Mares Avanti Superchannel
- Scubapro Go Travel Fins
- Capas Snorkel Fins
- Seavenger Torpedo
- Wildhorn Topside
- US Divers Sea Lion
Features:
- Short, lightweight fins
- Open-toe foot pocket and adjustable heal straps
- Composite blades
- Comfortable strap
- Comes in a range of men’s and women’s sizes
- Suitable for beginner snorkelers, travel, and bodyboarding
- Low priced
Features:
- Full foot design with comfortable soft thermo-rubber foot pocket
- Lightweight, responsive, molded full-length fins
- Open-toe foot pocket
- Polypropylene blades
- Comes in a range of sizes for men and women
- 4 color combinations available
- Suitable for snorkeling, freediving, and scuba diving
- Reasonably priced
Features:
- Short soft blade and foot pocket
- Adjustable, comfortable heal straps,
- Can be worn over thin footwear
- Comes in a range of sizes and 7 color combinations
- Specifically designed for swimming and snorkeling, ideal for travel
- Can be used for other water-related activities like canoeing, rafting, and bodyboarding
- Mesh bag is included
- Reasonably priced
Features:
- Full foot non-vented design
- Made of Thermal Plastic Rubber (TPR) and Polypropylene
- Flexible Power Thrust Channel design for improved power and efficiency
- Oversized blade for increased thrust
- Channels and side rails reduce spillover
- Comes in a range of sizes for men and women
- 9 color combinations available
- Suitable for snorkeling, freediving, and scuba diving
- Lightweight for travel
Features:
- Full foot, open toe design, comfortable fit
- Made of Tecralene and Thermoplastic rubber
- Uses high-performance Channel Thrust technology with Superchannel design
- Comes in a range of sizes
- 5 color combinations available
- Suitable for snorkeling, freediving, and scuba diving
- Lightweight for travel
- A little pricy
Features:
- Open heel, open toe, comfortable barefoot design
- 24-inch blades
- Exceptionally durable self-adjusting bungee strap
- Ultra-durable 100% monprene construction
- Comes in a range of sizes and black or white
- Suitable for snorkeling, freediving, and scuba diving
- Compact and lightweight for travel
- A little pricy
Features:
- Short soft blade and foot pocket
- Adjustable, soft, comfortable heal straps
- Made of floating silicon materials
- Can be worn over thin footwear or dive booties
- Comes in a variety of sizes for adults and children and 5 color combinations
- Suitable for swimming and snorkeling, ideal for travel
- Can be used for other water-related activities like canoeing, rafting, and bodyboarding
- Low priced
Features:
- Short blade
- Adjustable, soft, comfortable heal straps
- Durable vented blades for enhanced power
- Can be worn over thin footwear
- Comes in a range of sizes and 9 colors
- Suitable for swimming and snorkeling, ideal for travel
- Can be used for other water-related activities like canoeing, rafting, and bodyboarding
- Mesh carrying bag included
- Low priced
Features:
- Short blade
- Full foot design wears like a boot
- Ultra-grip rubber sole
- Velcro strap around the ankle for additional support
- Comes in a range of sizes and 3 colors
- Suitable for swimming and snorkeling, ideal for travel
- Can be used for other water-related activities like canoeing, rafting, and bodyboarding
- A little pricy
Features:
- Medium length blade
- Full foot design with comfortable rubber foot pocket
- Greater thrust than short fins
- Comes in a range of sizes
- Suitable for swimming, snorkeling, or bodyboarding, ideal for travel
- Low priced
| Picture | Snorkeling Fin | Foot Pocket | Length | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picture | Snorkeling Fin | Foot Pocket | Length | Rating | Price |
  | US Divers Trek | Open Heel | Short | 4.5 | $ |
  | Cressi Pluma | Full Foot | Full | 4.5 | $$ |
  | Cressi Palau | Open Heel | Short | 4.3 | $$ |
  | Oceanic Viper | Full Foot | Full | 4.7 | $$ |
  | Mares Avanti Superchannel | Full Foot | Full | 4.7 | $$$$ |
  | Scubapro Go | Open Heel | Full | 4.8 | $$$ |
  | Capas Snorkel Fins | Open Heel | Short | 4.4 | $ |
  | Seavenger Torpedo | Open Heel | Short | 4.3 | $$ |
  | Wildhorn Topside | Full Foot | Short | 4.8 | $$$ |
  | US Divers Sea Lion | Full Foot | Medium | 4.3 | $ |
Taking Care of Your Snorkeling Fins
- After diving rinse your fins in freshwater (as you do with all your equipment) and allow them to dry. Saltwater can damage them.
- Make sure they are stored out of the sun as UV rays also can damage the materials.
- Store fins in a temperature-controlled, cool area. Don’t leave them for prolonged periods in a hot car trunk. Heat can cause them to become brittle.
- Lay them flat for storage and not on their tips. They can become permanently bent that way.
- Don’t treat them with chemicals or oils.
For other reviews regarding fins for scuba and free diving, please check these:
For reviews on masks and snorkels, please check these:
- Best Dry Snorkel Review
- Best Freediving Masks of 2020
- Best Scuba Diving Masks – Top 10 Reviewed and Compared
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