Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020

What kind of Snorkel should I buy?
Considering of what kind of Water Sport you do. Buying guide and a list of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020

A snorkel is a flexible tube, generally made from plastic or stiff rubber which connects a snorkeler to the surface air. Snorkels are a snorkelers and diver’s lifeline, allowing them to breath at surface while their face is in the water.

There are a couple of important features to know before you buy a Snorkel.

Breathing easily

The right snorkel should let you breathe easily and comfortably for extended periods of time, without making you short of breath or light-headed. Also look after Ergonomic design and conformable wearing it.

Signaling color

A snorkel should always be a complete signaling color or at least the top end should be conspicuously marked So boats and other water crafts can see you easily and move out of your way.

Mouth piece

Made of food grade silicone as they have no odor smell or taste. It should be the right size for you.

Kids need smaller mouth pieces and might need smaller snorkels depending on their age and size.

Some mouth pieces are moldable. Completely personalized mouthpiece, molds to fit teeth.

Be careful when buying not every replacement mouthpiece will fit your snorkel.

Attachment to the Mask strap

There are a few different mechanics to attach a snorkel to a Mask.
Silicone snorkel keeper can easily attach , allows the diving snorkel move up and down to a fit position.

Top left: of the Picture is a plastic clip which attaches to the mask strap.

Top right: is a clip which stays permanently on the mask as you have to remove the mask strap from the mask and fiddle it through then reattach the mask strap on your mask. Then you can put your snorkel through the round hole.

Bottom left: If your Snorkel has a strange form this is a silicone holder you can use.

Bottom right: The most simple Snorkel Holder made out of rubber but effective robust and almost fits any snorkel.

Snorkel on the left or right side?

Snorkels are always made to wear on your left side. That’s because a divers Regulator second stage comes from the right side so they can’t be mixed up. Modern dry snorkels are ergonomically formed and built so they only can be worn on the left side of your head.

Surface Marker Buoy

If you do a lot of Snorkeling, freediving and spearfishing it’s always a good idea to carry a signaling surface marker buoy with you.

Other watercraft can see you easier as most of your body is submerged in the water while snorkeling the buoy reveals your location from far away.

Increase your Dive Safety with a Bright Orange Buoy with Flag.

Snorkel Length & Diameter size

The snorkel should not exceed 45cm in length and a max diameter of 2cm because of Pendulum respiration. Which means if it is longer than 45cm for example you’d use a 2meter long garden hose, you inhale the same air you just exhaled as you can see in the first GIF the exhaled air is not exchanging to new oxygenated air due to your lungs are not big enough to exchange the air.

You will breath in your exhaled low oxygen air you just exhaled, which you might do a few times and after 15-20 breath you become unconscious due to a lack of oxygen (Hypoxia) and high levels of CO2. You can have symptoms like headaches, insomnia, nausea, but mostly the unconsciousness kicks in before you notice anything else.

When your Snorkel is the correct length.

However if you buy a proper Snorkel which is shorter than a garden hose as in a max of 45cm and has a Diameter less then 2cm the low oxygen air you exhale gets pushed out and new oxygenated air moves in as you inhale which does then not cause any problems.

Different kind of Snorkels

There are 4 different kind of snorkels available.

• Simple Snorkel
• Dry Snorkel
• Swim Snorkel
• Flexible Snorkel

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Simple Snorkel

It all started with the Simple Snorkel back in the days where there is not much to it hence the word “Simple”. They are still around today as well as preferred by many including me.

The Simple Snorkel is just a bent tube with a silicone mouth piece at the end so clearing it out, if there is water inside is much harder than on a Snorkel with purge valve.

When water enteres the Snorkel it will stay in until you give it a hard blow and all the water sprays out on top of the snorkel.

The snorkel is sometimes not empty after the first blow and that’s where it gets a little hard as you have to slowly breath in and surpass the water still remaining in the snorkel. That only works if there isn’t too much water inside.

If there is still water left in the snorkel at the surface and you can’t bypass it or don’t have enough air to blow a second time obviously you can still remove it from your mouth and empty it that way but you might have lost sight to that beautiful turtle you were just watching.

Simple Snorkel advantages

• Robust
• Durable
• No issue with pendulum breathing

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Dry Snorkel

Dry Snorkels are a further development from the simple snorkel and have a few advantages such as a purge valve or sometimes a closing mechanism on the top end of the Snorkel.

Dry Snorkels have a one way purge valve on the bottom that opens when you exhale.

If water is inside your snorkel and you do exhale all the water will flow out on the bottom while you exhale.

A simple puff of air is all you need to clear the water through the snorkel’s lower one-way valve. It saves you energy and is especially easy to clear.

Controversial Top dry valve and splash guard

Dry snorkel splash guards automatically closes when submerged, not allowing water to enter the Snorkel. Even with waves crashing over you, the splash-guard will prevent water from entering into the snorkel.

It is controversial because it is a factor for pendulum breathing. The chances are higher that the air inside the tube is not exchanged especially when high waves splash frequently over you or when doing yo yo snorkeling. They might not work properly or not open all the way so your exhale Air doesn’t get exchanged all the way and replaced by fresh oxygenated air and you end up floating unconsciously.

Dry Snorkel advantages

• Purge valve
• Easy to use
• Ergonomically built

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Swim Snorkel

Swim Snorkel are a special breed of Snorkels. Because a Swimmer is very quick in the water the snorkel worn on the left side of your head would move constantly backwards and at a certain time it would dip into the water and the swimmer would breath water. Side Snorkels aren’t streamlined and have a high water resistance.

That’s why swim snorkels are designed to wear in front of you at 12 o’clock.

Swim Snorkels have a hydrodynamic design which allows swimmers to swim effortlessly with minimal water resistance. Since they are worn in front they have a different way of attachment as you can see in the picture. Its an adjustable head bracket with a Swim Snorkel strap similar to your Mask strap. Most of them also include a purge valve.

Front mounted snorkels ensure smooth arm rotation and maintain body alignment and improve stroke efficiency.

Swim Snorkels advantages

• Fast swimming possible without movement of snorkel
• Ergonomically designed
• Ensures smooth arm rotation

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Flexible Snorkel

Flexible Roll Up Snorkels are made of a stiff rubber or silicone compound.

Easy storage, this snorkel quickly rolls up into a storage case for easy transporting and storage.

If you don’t like to have the Snorkel dangling on the side of your face while Scuba Diving you can roll it up and store it inside your BCD pocket.

If needed its easily unpacked and attached to your mask. Due to the stiffer silicone it doesn’t collapse even with fast swimming or strong current.

Flexible Snorkel advantages

• Can be rolled up and stored easily
• Small space needed for traveling
• Does not disturb you while diving

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After you read all this information it’s time to reveal my list of the Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020

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Number #10

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

Cressi Corsica Flexible Rubber Snorkel

• The Corsica is the ideal snorkel for freediving, spearfishing and scuba diving.
• Very light and comfortable.
• Large diameter snorkel tube provides unobstructed ease of breathing.
• Soft bendable snorkel tube to maintain proper and comfortable positioning.
• Specially designed and molded u-bend provides easier clearing capability.
• Anatomical hypoallergenic silicone mouthpiece provides extreme comfort during prolonged use.
• It is ultra flexible and can be folded and stored in the BCD pocket.
• The Corsica is designed and made in Italy by Cressi, a brand pioneer in freediving, spearfishing and scuba diving equipment since 1946.

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Number #9

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

Mares Ergo Flex Snorkel

Mares Ergo Flex Snorkel
Number #9 of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

• Simple, Yet Functional Snorkel, Anatomical Design
• Easy Clear Exhaust Valve
• Corrugated Tube and Mouthpiece
• High Quality Silicone Adjustable Snorkel Keeper
• Great for Scuba and Snorkeling
• Hydrodynamic Contoured Tube Shape Reduces Drag
• Replaceable Mouthpiece Design

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Number #8

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

Kraken Aquatics Flexible Roll Up Snorkel

• SIMPLE DESIGN for FLEXIBILITY and DURABILITY: You’ll never have to worry about our roll up pocket snorkel failing when you need it. Our flexible silicone snorkel has a J-tube style design made from black silicone that is comfortable, easy to use, reliable and built to last.
• EASY STORAGE and TRAVELING: This compact snorkel quickly rolls up into the included storage case for easy traveling and storage.
• ESSENTIAL DIVING GEAR: Perfect folding snorkel for freediving, spearfishing, scuba diving and snorkeling. A must have for any freediver, scuba diver, instructor or student.
• SILICONE SNORKEL KEEPER: A very simple snorkel keeper comes included which allows you to easily attach your dive mask securely to the flexible snorkel.
• STORAGE CASE COMES INCLUDED: This compact snorkel quickly rolls up into the included round storage case and easily fits into any BCD pocket, gear bag, pack or suitcase for easy traveling and storage. Save a lot of precious space with this collapsible snorkel.

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Number #7

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

Phantom Aquatics Rapido Snorkel

Phantom Aquatics Rapido Snorkel
Number #7 of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

• Features a float mechanism which closes instantly to prevent water from entering the snorkel whether accidentally or purposely submerged.
• Suitable for snorkeling or recreational scuba diving.
• High-flow dry top snorkel with flex tube.
• Streamlined design reduces drag.
• Adjustable clip for securing to any mask.
• Angled mouthpiece reduces jaw fatigue.
• Lower purge valve allows water to be quickly expelled.

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Number #6

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

SHERWOOD SCUBA Tiga Snorkel

SHERWOOD SCUBA Tiga Snorkel
Number #6 of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

• Dry-Top Sealing Valve seals breathing tube when snorkel is submerged
• Soft silicone center flex tube reduces jaw fatigue
• Soft silicone mouthpiece with Comfo-Bite reduces jaw fatigue
• Small purge valve allows water to be expelled easily
• Quick Disconnect Snorkel Keeper allows easy connection to mask.

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Number #5

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

Cressi Foldable Adult Dry Snorkel

• Features a float mechanism which close instantly to prevent water from entering the snorkel whether accidentally or purposely submerged.
• The snorkel has a highly flexible tube that reduces jaw fatigue and folds compactly for storing in a BC pocket or travel pack.
• A wider elliptical bore shape increases air flow capacity for more comfortable breathing and a purge valve enables instant clearing when needed.
• 100% high quality silicone, a better material and longer lasting than plastic PVC.
• Cressi is a REAL diving, snorkeling and swimming Italian brand, since 1946 Made in Italy.

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Number #4

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

ScubaPro Phoenix 2 Semi Dry Snorkel

• Phoenix Snorkel Dry Design
• Contoured Tube
• Corrugated Lower Section
• Comfortable Silicone Mouthpiece

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Number #3

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

Atomic SV2 Semi Dry Snorkel

Atomic SV2 Semi Dry Snorkel
Number #3 of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

• SV2 combines the Scupper Valve lower section with the sleek looking Semi Dry top with horizontal vents that diffuses splashed water that would normally enter the top.
• The small gaps between the vanes of the vent restrict water speed and droplet size and permits most of the splashed water to exit the special vents.
• Includes Quick Disconnect keeper, sliding snorkel keeper and and rotating mouthpiece

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Number #2

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

Mares Pure Instinct Snorkel Dual (Black)

Mares Pure Instinct Snorkel Dual (Black)
Number #2 of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

• Firm plastic tube
• Silicone Mouthpiece
• no restrictions while breathing
• often used for freediving purposes

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Number #1

of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

SCUBAPRO Spectra Dry Snorkel

SCUBAPRO Spectra Dry Snorkel
Number #1 of my Top 10 Best Snorkel 2020 List

• Large Bore Upper Tube with Dry Top Design
• Contoured Tube Providing a Streamline Low Profile, Low Drag Design
• Mouthpiece & Flex Tube Provide
• Comfort Dry Top Closes-Off Breathing Tube when Submerged
• Quality One-Way Purge Valve with Deep Reservoir Below Mouthpiece

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Additional Snorkel Equipment

To my List of the 10 Best Snorkel 2020!

Masks

Have a look at my list of the Top 10 Masks in 2020 here.

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Silicon Snorkel keeper

• Material: good quality Silicone
• Color: Black
• Suitable for elliptical tube snorkel,
• Flexible and durable.

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Surface Marker Buoy

Use a Surface Marker Buoy for your Safety while Snorkeling!!!

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Life Vest

If you aren’t a very good swimmer make sure you’ll wear a Life Vest!

• Nylon
• Imported
• USCG Approved Personal Flotation Device; Perfect for Wake Sports, Water skiing, Tubing, and Swimming
• Segmented Foam Core And Anatomical Flex Points Allow Unrestricted Movement
• Quick Release Safety Buckles And Heavy Duty Front Zipper Create an Unparalleled Sense of Security
• Minimal Bulk Design Allows Full Mobility, While Expansion Panels Enable a Comfortable Fit
• Relaxed Fit For The Water Sports Enthusiast Who Wants Some Room To Move

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This was my list of the 10 Best Snorkel 2020! I hope you enjoyed it and if you did so and don’t want miss any of my next Equipment guides sign up for the Newsletter here.

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10 Best Snorkel 2020