BEST SNORKELING FINS 2023

The Cressi Palau Short Adjustable Fins are an open-heeled short blade fin with durable construction and no-nonsense design. The overall fast performance and lightweight snorkeling fins design of the Cressi fins makes them perfect for a range of swimmers and snorkelers.

BRAND: CRESSI
BLADE SIZE: Short
SPLIT/PADDLE: Paddle
OPEN HEEL/FULL FOOT: Open heel
DESIGN: Soft blade, below-blade closed-toe foot pocket, ring strap allows for easy slipping on and off of fins whether in or out of the water
FUNCTIONALITY: Light, fast and with just enough snap to move easily in a pool or while snorkeling
COMFORT: Superior comfort due to the soft blade and easy adjustability, can accommodate 3-4 consecutive sizes by adjusting the straps

The Phantom Aquatics Rapido Boutique collection comes with a mask, snorkel, fins, and a mesh bag for easy transport. The Rapido fins are made from high-grade Polypropylene material and ensure durability and sturdiness. The open heel and adjustable straps allow for a better fit and the contoured foot pocket ensures maximum comfort. The mask has a single lens with side windows made from tempered glass for high durability. The snorkel is just as high-quality with an angled purge chamber, and removable mouthpiece.

BRAND: PHANTOM AQUATICS
BLADE SIZE: Long
SPLIT/PADDLE: Paddle
OPEN HEEL/FULL FOOT: Open heel
DESIGN: Extended sole plate for more thrust, flexible blade center for efficiency and reduced stress on the legs, detached foot pocket for maximum comfort
FUNCTIONALITY: Overall design puts less strain on the feet
COMFORT: Adjustable buckles, open heel, extended sole and detached foot pocket.

The Atomic Aquatics Split Fin is truly one of the best split snorkeling fins on the market. From enough power to use in a current, to the sleek and ergonomic design, these snorkel fins are great from beginning snorkeling and swimming all the way up to diving.

BRAND: ATOMIC
BLADE SIZE: Long
SPLIT/PADDLE: Split
OPEN HEEL/FULL FOOT: Full Foot
DESIGN: Durable power rails store and release energy with every kick, semi-rigid battens in the elastomeric blade control the wing shape to optimize thrust and reduce drag, hinge points cause blade to react quickly and efficiently to each kick, many colors
FUNCTIONALITY: Large surface area blade improves pivoting, turning and alternative kicking styles, too long for close-quarter use like pools
COMFORT: Designed to fit a foot without causing stress points, they also come in an open heel design as well

Cressi Pluma Snorkeling Fins feature a more rigid construction, based on their scuba fin technology, making them excellent at cutting through the water in short bursts. Slightly longer than normal short blade fins, the Pluma fins are great for snorkelers looking for an excellent price to quality ratio snorkeling fin that also moves easily through the water.

BRAND: CRESSI
BLADE SIZE: Long
SPLIT/PADDLE: Paddle
OPEN HEEL/FULL FOOT: Full Foot
DESIGN: Three different materials molded for high performance, non-slip inserts for leg-fin effort maximization, 20% longer than competitors (more distance per stroke)
FUNCTIONALITY: Features high-tech construction originally designed for more advanced free and scuba diving Cressi fins, cut smoothly through the water
COMFORT: Soft rubber full-foot pocket for comfort, fits slightly large so size down

The Seaview180 Snorkeling Fins are a great snorkeling choice for those with easy walk-in entries, boat entries or are comfortable slipping them on once in the water. This one of the best long blade fins for snorkelers looking for a little more power in their kick.

BRAND: SEAVIEW 180
BLADE SIZE: Short
SPLIT/PADDLE: Paddle
OPEN HEEL/FULL FOOT: Full Foot
DESIGN: Neoprene boot, adjustable Velcro strap, short blade fins raised above the boot
FUNCTIONALITY: Perfectly suited for snorkeling, short distance swimming and moving from land to water and back, the fins raised above the boot allows for easy walking
COMFORT: They fit like a shoe, closed toe and heel prevent cramping

The Seavenger Torpedo Snorkeling Fins are a reliable short blade fin perfect for a traveller on a budget. Compact enough to fit in any suitcase or day bag, these Seavenger fins are one of the best short blade fins on the market. The Cressi Palau Short Adjustable Fins are an open-heeled short blade fin with durable construction and no-nonsense design. The overall fast performance and lightweight design of the Cressi fins makes them perfect for a range of swimmers and snorkelers.

BRAND: SEAVENGER
BLADE SIZE: Short
SPLIT/PADDLE: Paddle
OPEN HEEL/FULL FOOT: Open heel
DESIGN: Soft blade, below-blade closed-toe foot pocket, ring strap allows for easy slipping on and off of fins whether in or out of the water
FUNCTIONALITY: Light, fast and with just enough snap to move easily in a pool or while snorkeling
COMFORT: Superior comfort due to the soft blade and easy adjustability, can accommodate 3-4 consecutive sizes by adjusting the straps

The U.S. Divers Sea Lion Floating Snorkeling Fins are some of the best paddle fins for beginner swimmers and snorkelers. Their buoyant construction means they will actually help the swimmer to maintain horizontal posture while also lightening their legs. The U.S. Divers Fins in Sea Lion Jr. are available for kids.

BRAND: U.S. DIVERS
BLADE SIZE: Short
SPLIT/PADDLE: Paddle
OPEN HEEL/FULL FOOT: Full Foot
DESIGN: Buoyant rubber, full foot pocket, yellow for visibility
FUNCTIONALITY: These snorkeling fins are buoyant so they help beginner swimmers and snorkelers keep their legs horizontal, float for easy pick-up
COMFORT: Correct sizing can be difficult, may rub at pressure points after extended use

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:  The most important thing is fit. Make sure to try them on with booties if you’re an open heel or cold water swimmer. After fit comes matching the snorkeling fins to your own water-sports lifestyle.

FULL FOOT/OPEN HEEL: There are two types of foot spaces in snorkeling fins: full foot and open heel. Full foot fins have booties integrated into the fin. They are usually used for warm waters since they aren’t worn with socks. The catch is that they must fit perfectly because there are no adjustments. Open heel fins have an open back with an adjustable strap. To find your best open heel fins, make sure to try them on with booties. Open heel fins are usually more durable, have longer blades and provide more thrust due to blade rigidity and size. Also, if the strap breaks, you can replace it without replacing the entire fin.

FITTING/FINDING YOUR SNORKELING FINS: When buying fins in a dive shop, make sure to always try them on (with booties if you plan to wear booties). The foot space should be snug if it is a full foot fin. Ideally, ask your local dive shop to let you try a few different types of their rentals on the next local dive trip. It is hard to get a feel for the exact perfect fit for you unless you try them out in the water, even a pool will do. If you’re buying snorkeling fins online then make sure to comb comments for size discrepancies. Going to the manufacturer’s website to check sizes is always recommended.

OPEN HEEL STRAPS: There are generally two types: adjustable and spring straps. Adjustable straps feed through into a buckle. You can pull on the threaded strap to tighten and click the button to loosen. The downside to adjustable straps is that they may be hard to negotiate underwater or with gloves on. Spring straps have tightly wound metal coils that run to the back of the heel where a rubber tab sits to both protect the heel and provide a grip when sliding the fins on. These are amazing additions to open heel fins because you don’t need to fiddle with the buckles at all and they are easy to use with gloves.

SPLIT/PADDLE:  Paddle fins have one solid blade while split fins have one split blade. Paddle styles are usually on the inexpensive side and are great snorkel fins. Adding side rails may vary the rigidity of the fin, allowing for more distance per kick. Split fins, meanwhile, act as propellers, giving high speed for low effort as well as reducing air consumption. The downside to split fins is that they are not too powerful, so strong currents or towing situations would be difficult.

LONG/SHORT:  Short snorkeling fins make for some of the best snorkel fins because they are lightweight and compact and therefore easy to pack and travel with. Many short fins are also perfect for pools or close-quarter swimming due to their small frame maneuverability. Long fins have more power and thrust per stride but do lose some of the short-range maneuverability and compactness of the shorter fins.

FIN CARE:  Make sure to rinse snorkeling fins in freshwater after use. Let them dry before packing them away. Do not squish, bend or otherwise denature the fin shape in storage otherwise their shape may become deformed leading to less than ideal performance. If cracks or damage to the straps appear you need only replace the straps which is inexpensive compared to buying a new set of snorkeling fins.

DIVE/SNORKELING FINS:  Popular elements of snorkel fins include: full foot pockets (no need for booties, no strap hassle), short length (maneuverability prized overpower) and paddle blade (inexpensive, durable). Meanwhile, dive fins tend to eschew full foot pockets for open-heel (can be used with booties for multi-season use and shore walk-in entry) as well as having longer blades (more power per kick) with an array of fin types (paddle, channel, split). While most dive fins can be used as snorkel fins, not all snorkel fins are recommended for diving, due to their power and speed limitations as well as inability in cold or strong waters.

TRAVEL SNORKELING FINS:  Travel snorkeling fins are all about one thing: their ability to travel well. The best travel snorkeling fins are capable of fitting in a suitcase. Furthermore, sometimes the shorter the better depending on the type of traveler you are. A backpacker with only a carry-on may need very short snorkeling fins indeed. Snorkeling Fins that come with their own mesh bags are also great for toting around or hanging up to dry on vacation. No matter which type of fin for snorkeling, they should be lightweight, both for avoiding luggage fees and making them easy to carry to the hotel and then to the beach or pool. They should also be durable so they can withstand being packed away and carried around.

We hope you found this content informative! We also have detailed guides on Neoprene Snorkeling Socks, Full Face Snorkeling Masks, Underwater Scooters, and Travel BCDs. Alternatively, take a look at what’s happening in the world of marine conservation and see how you can play your part!

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Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one – Keep Diving Blue!