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Snorkelling holidays are a favourite getaway for many people in Ireland. But snorkelling isn’t just something you can do in warmer climates abroad. On warm summer days, it’s also wonderful to do closer to home. And basically, all you need is a good, sensible snorkelling set.
That’s where we can help, as we cover what a snorkelling set includes, which ones are the best, and how to choose the right set for you. 👇
👆 Click on each model to jump down to the section where we review each one in depth.
Most popular snorkel sets for adults 
Best snorkel sets with fins for your child 
Best diving mask for kids (4-12 years) – 
Watery Snorkel Set for Kids - Fisher/Cliff 
Best snorkel set with dry-top feature 
Best snorkel set for your child (4-12 years) 
Here we highlight the snorkelling sets we rate as the best, based on expert knowledge and customer reviews, and share our recommendations for each individual model.
Hopefully, you’ll also be fully equipped with knowledge on what a snorkelling set includes, what to look for, and how to choose the right set for you. If not, just click the button above “Information about snorkelling sets“, and we’ll guide you.
Let’s take a closer look at the models we rate as the best and warmly recommend.👇
How we evaluated them: The snorkel sets were assessed based on factors such as shape, size, weight, price, material, and skill level, as well as our overall evaluation drawn from expert knowledge and feedback from customers at Watery.ie. These factors form the basis for the recommendations below.
To make things simple, we’ve selected a top recommended model across several different categories. This makes it easier for you to find the right snorkel set to match your specific preferences.
The Hudson Full-dry is by far one of our most popular snorkel sets – and we completely understand why. The comfort is top-notch, the visibility is crystal clear, and the full-dry snorkel makes a HUGE difference, especially when the waves start to roll in.
You avoid that classic mouthful of salt water because the valve seals completely shut when you dive down a bit or when water splashes over the top.
A full-dry snorkel is equipped with a self-closing mechanism that seals off whenever you submerge.
The mask forms a tight seal without pressing tightly against your nose or forehead, and in our experience, it fits both men and women with different face shapes – it sits impeccably.
An extra detail we really appreciate is the replaceable mouthpiece. After a season of frequent use, you can easily clean it (or buy a replacement) without having to replace the entire set. Replacement mouthpieces can be purchased from the retailer.
It is clear that great thought went into both functionality and materials. Everything is CE-certified and made from quality materials such as food-grade silicone and shatterproof PC glass. This ensures you can use it year after year without worrying about damage or discomfort.
In short, the Hudson Full-dry is a set we confidently recommend to both beginners and experienced snorkelers looking for maximum comfort and safety on their underwater adventures.
P.S. We always recommend purchasing anti-fog spray for the mask as well, as it makes the experience much more enjoyable.
The set is available in four different colours:
“Great snorkel set – Bought as a gift, I have the same one myself and it works great.” – (Ulrika)
“Very pleased with them. Easy to adjust and creates a tight seal. Fogged up slightly, but I read about rubbing the inside of the lenses with toothpaste, which made them completely fog-free.” – (Petter O.)
This snorkel set is among the most popular with our readers and customers.
Based on customer reviews and our assessment, it is especially a hit with kids. The fins are easy to adjust with the clever “one-click system”, and many find that children quickly become comfortable with the gear and get great enjoyment out of it.
The mask fits snugly without pinching, and the anti-fog feature lives up to its promise – even after an hour of use in both the pool and the sea. It’s fantastic to be able to give kids a great experience without the frustration of fogged-up glass. (With prolonged use, we recommend applying a fresh coat of anti-fog spray to the lenses to restore effectiveness)
The snorkel features a 100% dry-top design, meaning no water gets in, even when diving slightly underwater. This provides extra peace of mind, especially for kids who are still getting the hang of snorkelling technique.
And we love the detail with the detachable breathing tube – it makes it super easy to pack into a suitcase. You can even mount a GoPro directly onto the mask, so the entire underwater adventure can be recorded – perfect for documenting the holiday!
The material is wonderfully soft silicone, CE-certified and food-grade approved, so you can be confident it won’t irritate the skin – and it holds up to many hours of snorkelling in both the pool and the sea.
In short: the Fisher/Pearl set is the obvious choice if you want to give your child the full snorkelling experience – with top-quality fins, mask, and snorkel all included.
The set is available in these colour variations:
“Fits well in size for a 13-year-old boy, great fit.” – (Maja C.)
“Fits well on the child’s face. Haven’t tried it anywhere other than the bath yet, but it works well there..” – (Lise R.)
We recommend the Beco Ari combo set as the ideal “starter set” for kids trying snorkelling for the first time. It is simple, robust, and comes at a price where you won’t have to worry about a bit of extra beach fun.
The mask fits really well and seals snugly around the nose, making it easy for children to feel confident from the start. The enclosed nose pocket is especially advantageous for kids who dislike water in their nose – it makes getting started far less daunting.
The snorkel is simple yet functional – and while the tube is not as wide as on pricier models, it worked perfectly well when staying at the surface. The mouthpiece is made of soft silicone/plastic that she could keep in her mouth for a long time without discomfort.
The Ari set is not meant for kids planning on diving deep or snorkelling for hours on end, but for beginners and more cautious children, it provides a fantastic, confidence-building start. Plus, it’s hard to find a more budget-friendly snorkel set that still feels well-made.
The set is available in two colours:
“Lovely mask for my grandchild, perfect fit” – (Ann-Marie S.)
“everything was super – quality and price were great.” – (Lennart S.)
The Leach Pro Combo set has impressed us with its quality and functionality. It feels like a well-thought-out set: The mask fits comfortably, doesn’t pinch, and leaves no red marks after use – even after long periods in the water, it remains comfortable.
The biggest plus of this set is the snorkel’s full-dry feature – meaning you can dive down without getting a mouthful of saltwater. No water enters the snorkel because it automatically seals itself when submerged.
The functionality is especially noticeable in waves and underwater situations, where full-dry technology truly makes a difference – particularly if you’ve previously used a traditional open snorkel.
The mouthpiece is made from soft silicone and sits comfortably – and a great touch is that you can detach and clean it. You can even buy replacement mouthpieces. At Watery.ie, you can also purchase a new mouthpiece if needed.
Attention has been paid to the details here: Tempered PC glass, flexible hose, and fully CE-approved, ensuring safety is top-notch. All in all, it’s a set we warmly recommend to adults who want quality without needing to upgrade to pro-level or full scuba gear.
The set is available in either blue/yellow or white/pink.
“Very good, soft fit of mask and snorkel. Fantastic value for money. Super fast delivery. Tested in Corsica.” – (Wolfgang H.)
“At first glance, a good quality snorkel mask. But I still need to test it.” – (Reto S.)
Just like the rest of the gear we recommend in this article, the Triton set is ideal for younger children – and it really delivers. It is easy to put on with a little help the first time, and then the child is ready to explore.
The mask is made of soft silicone that creates a tight seal without feeling tight – and most importantly: it didn’t fog up, even after 20 minutes in the water. The lens features tempered PC glass, so there is no need to worry about it breaking if it gets dropped on the tiles by the pool.
HOWEVER, you must NOT dive headfirst into the water wearing this type of mask, as it is glass and can shatter under high pressure.
The snorkel is a semi-dry model, meaning it protects against splashes, but submerging it fully under water should be avoided – so if your child prefers staying at the surface, it works brilliantly.
The one-way purge valve helps keep breathing easy and effortless, and the flexible tube ensures it always sits comfortably in the mouth. It is a particular advantage that the mouthpiece can be removed and washed – so you don’t have to replace the entire snorkel if it gets dirty.
All in all, Triton is a perfect beginner set when a child is learning to snorkel – without too many complicated technical details, yet still offering high quality and great comfort.
“My grandchild was absolutely thrilled to get a pink snorkel set and was ready to try it out straight away” – (Hanne J.)
“My 7-year-old son loves his new snorkel set. It fits perfectly. :).” – (Mia D.)
The Fisher/Cliff set is one of the sets we recommend for children, and it has proven to be a popular choice among customers at Watery.ie. Everything sits as it should and feels sturdy and secure.
In particular, adjusting the fins is easy to handle – many children can do it themselves after a few tries.
The diving mask feels great and soft against the skin due to its silicone construction, and it seals tightly all the way around. The field of view is really good, and the anti-fog treatment works – we experienced no issues, even after a long time in the water.
Here it is important to note that you must NEVER dive headfirst into the water wearing any diving mask. Diving mask lenses are made of glass and can, in rare cases, shatter under sufficient pressure.
The snorkel in the set has a slightly larger opening at the top, which makes breathing significantly easier – and the mouthpiece can be rotated so that it always fits well, regardless of how the child moves. It’s small details like these that really make a difference.
One minor downside of the snorkel is that water can get into the top – there is no dry-top auto-close function.
The mask also comes with a protective case, so it doesn’t get scratched in your bag.
All in all, the Fisher/Cliff set gets our clear recommendation. So if you want to give your child a fantastic and safe start to snorkelling – with a mask, snorkel, and fins all in child-friendly quality – this is the set to get.
This set is available in 18 different colour combinations – we won’t list them all, so check them out yourself at the retailer here.
“The product completely lives up to expectations. Delivery was absolutely perfect and very fast.” – (Helle S.)
“Absolutely great quality. I am thrilled.” – (Robin G.)
A complete snorkel set covers the two (three) most basic pieces of snorkelling gear. And having three in brackets is because one of the parts is not entirely essential for snorkelling.
A diving mask is necessary for you to see anything in salt water without hurting your eyes. It is therefore important that it is relatively compact so it does not take up too much space. It should also be made of a material that ensures both a good fit and comfort at the same time.
It is important that you have good visibility in your diving mask. This means you ideally want a 180-degree field of view, and the lens should not fog up. Virtually all diving masks allow for the former, while the latter cannot always be avoided. Luckily, you can easily fix that yourself if it happens.
The diving mask is by far the most important part of a snorkel set. So if you buy a set in separate parts, this is definitely not where you should cut corners!
It goes without saying that to have a snorkel set, you need a snorkel. In itself, the snorkel is simply a tube you breathe through. There are not really any greater requirements for it than that.
You can get snorkels with lots of different features, such as splash guards and purge valves. But the common thing with all ‘the extras’ is that they break easily. So I recommend choosing a snorkel without all these additional features.
A snorkel that is just a snorkel in its simplest form does what it is supposed to: let you breathe underwater. And by keeping it completely simple, you also save a lot of money.
The final piece of gear a snorkel set consists of is a pair of fins. And this is precisely the piece of equipment I put in brackets. Because fins are not a necessity when you want to snorkel.
However, they do offer the advantage of letting you move faster and more effortlessly through the water. Something that shouldn’t be underestimated.
For regular snorkeling, you should steer clear of the long, powerful models you might know from freediving and spearfishing. Simply choose a pair that is short and flexible. Your ankles and legs will quickly thank you, as the long, stiff models are incredibly tiring on your muscles, tendons, and joints.
When it comes to who uses a snorkel set, it spans quite broadly. It ranges all the way from young children in the paddling pool at home to professional snorkelers. Naturally with a huge difference in features and quality.
Essentially, though, all snorkel sets work the same way. The diving mask allows you to see underwater, the snorkel lets you breathe, and the fins allow you to move faster and more smoothly.
Naturally, in order to breathe through the snorkel, the top of it must be above the surface of the water. So the idea is for you to float on the surface and observe the marine life. And if you spot something exciting beneath the surface, you can always take a deep breath and dive down to get a closer look.
This can be done both at home and abroad. Here at home in Ireland, there are limited spots where it’s genuinely exciting to snorkel, as Irish waters don’t always offer that much to be captivated by. But abroad, where coral reefs lie just beneath the surface, snorkeling makes for a truly wonderful and fun experience.
Snorkeling can be great fun and very rewarding. But we all have different needs and preferences, so the most expensive snorkel set isn’t necessarily the right one for you. Below, I’ve rounded up the three most important factors you should consider before investing in your own set.
The first thing you should consider is how much money you are willing to spend. Snorkel sets are available in many different price ranges, so there is something for every budget.
The cheapest sets start at just a few pounds/euros, and prices simply go up from there.
The next thing to consider is your experience level. For example, if you are heading out for your very first time, it is hardly essential to have the most advanced and high-end snorkel set. In my opinion, a good beginner set would be ideal to start with.
If, on the other hand, you have snorkelled many times and are quite experienced by now, you will get the most enjoyment out of the slightly more expensive and advanced snorkel sets.
A snorkel set can be used both here at home and abroad. If you plan to travel with it, it’s a great idea to get a mesh bag to keep all your gear together. Some sets come complete with a mesh bag, while others do not.
So keep an eye on whether the set you have picked out comes with a mesh bag. If you buy a snorkel set without one, they can fortunately be purchased separately. However, it is often cheaper to buy a set where the bag is already included in the package.
The vast majority of people who buy a snorkel set do so because they are going on a snorkelling holiday to warmer destinations abroad. And if that’s the case for you too, having a travel bag for your snorkel set is a really good idea.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about that if you choose one of the sets I’ve recommended in this guide. They all come with a travel bag, making it quick and easy to store and transport your snorkelling gear.
A travel bag also keeps your gear neatly organized. So even if you aren’t necessarily taking it on holiday, it’s much easier to store in a bag at home.
If you’re heading on a snorkelling holiday, I also recommend buying at least the mask and snorkel at home before you leave. The models you can buy at popular tourist destinations are often of questionable quality and fit. To get the best snorkelling experience on your holiday, you should get a proper set before you travel.
When it comes to whether you should choose a snorkel set with or without fins, it all comes down to your personal preferences. There is no doubt that fins offer an advantage, but they do come with a drawback as well.
The great thing about fins is that they allow you to move through the water faster and more effortlessly. And if you need to dive down underwater to inspect something, you can get down and back up much more easily and quickly.
On the other hand, fins take up significantly more space than just a mask and snorkel. So if you are heading off on holiday, for example, a set with fins takes up quite a bit more room in your luggage.
Pros and cons of a snorkel set with fins:
There is nothing more annoying when snorkelling than when your mask starts to fog up. And although the vast majority of masks come with an anti-fog coating, it is inevitable that the treatment will wear off eventually.
If that happens, you can often prevent foggy lenses by spitting into the mask, rubbing it all over the lens, and then rinsing it with water.
If you experience this with a brand-new mask, it might be due to a thin silicone film applied to protect the lenses during transport. If that is the case, you can remove the silicone by gently rubbing a bit of toothpaste all over the lens and then soaking the mask in soapy water. Alternatively, you can also heat it carefully using a lighter, followed by soaking it in soapy water for about a day.
The latter tip is a bit risky, though. So I would definitely recommend sticking with toothpaste.
If none of these tips work, or if you simply want to make it as effortless as possible, you can also use an anti-fog spray. It is inexpensive and only takes a couple of sprays on the lens to do the trick.
Apply two sprays to the lens and swirl the mask around in circular motions so the liquid is evenly distributed (avoid spreading it with your fingers). Shortly afterwards, simply rinse the lens with clean water.
It’s easy. And it’s fast!
You can buy a really good, affordable anti-fog spray here.
If you want to get the most out of your snorkel set for as long as possible, a little maintenance is essential. But it’s neither difficult nor time-consuming, so don’t be put off.
After each use, rinse the snorkel, diving mask, and flippers in fresh water. Avoid using soap, as the mask’s lens in particular cannot tolerate it. Fresh, clean water is plenty.
And when storing it, keep the entire set together in a travel bag or mesh bag. That way, your snorkel gear is always kept together and easy to find.
Taking care of a snorkel set really doesn’t require more than that. And if you make this small effort, you can enjoy your gear for many years.
To wrap up my guide, I’d like to share my 10 best tips for a fantastic snorkelling holiday. Some of these tips you might already know, while others may be new to you. I’ve drawn on my own experiences from snorkelling holidays and boiled down the most important ones into the points below.
When you’re floating on the surface of the water for hours at a time, your body is seriously exposed to the sun’s rays. Always remember sunscreen or other sun protection.
Even if the water you’re snorkelling in feels warm, your body can still become chilled. If you plan to spend a long time in the water, a wetsuit is a great advantage. It helps you stay warm much better, while also shielding you from the sun’s rays.
The snorkel sets you can buy in beach shops and similar stores at popular tourist destinations are often of questionable quality, function, and fit. Do yourself a favour and buy your own set before heading off.
Spit into the mask and rub it around the lens with your fingers. Then rinse out the excess saliva with water. Alternatively, use an anti-fog spray to prevent lenses from fogging up.
Before heading off to the beach to snorkel, check where the best spots are. A great tip is to look at Google Maps, where you can spot different shades of color on the water’s surface directly on the map. Where the water is darkest is usually the most exciting place to snorkel.
For your own safety, always have at least one other person with you in the water. If an accident were to happen, you’ll have someone close by to help you back to shore.
As an added bonus, you’ll also have someone to share the experience with.
Before venturing far out into the water, practice breathing calmly and steadily through your snorkel. When you’re out in the water, your breathing should be relaxed and effortless. Keep your heart rate down and stay calm when diving down to inspect something more closely.
If you dive just about a meter and a half below the surface without equalizing, your ears will start to hurt. Make sure to learn how to equalize pressure in advance. In essence, all you need to do is pinch your nose and gently try to blow air out through it.
Get yourself either an underwater camera or a waterproof action camera so you can snap photos of what you see underwater. Or record it on video. That way, your memories will last much longer.
Another great tip is to dive below whatever you want to photograph. This creates a much better shot than just lying at the surface and taking the picture from above.
When you’re out in the water, it can be tempting to attempt long, deep dives. But that can be dangerous, so leave that to the freedivers. Instead, stick to what snorkeling is all about: floating on the surface, observing what’s happening below, and making brief dives down when you spot something exciting.
As I’ve already mentioned, I recommend buying your snorkel set before you travel. That way, you’ll have easier access to information about quality, fit, and features. But where should you buy it?
There are plenty of places to buy snorkel sets. At Watery.ie, you’ll find a wide selection of snorkel sets and accessories, and our customer satisfaction on Trustpilot is right at the top – something we’re proud of and actively work hard to maintain.
That’s why we recommend buying your new snorkel set from us at Watery.ie.
