Snorkeling in Central America: But what style of fins, long or short?

[YvonneH]

Hi all.
I'm planning a trekking trip across Central America, with many snorkeling excursions. I've budgeted $100 for equipment, but I'm a newbie, and don't really know what I'm looking at. I'm told liquid crystal masks and 100% dry snorkels are best, but fins are especially puzzling--some are long and solid, others short and contoured (for example, Scuba Diving Skin Dive Silicone Mask, Dry Snorkel, Fins - eBay (item 320207469474 end time Jul-11-08 21:24:06 PDT) vs. Snorkeling Scuba Dive Gear Bag Mask Dry Snorkel Fins - eBay (item 220248870098 end time Jun-26-08 10:55:00 PDT)). Are these quality packages, and which might best suit me?
Thanks!

 

[Abidon]

As for the fins, it will depend on where, and who, you'll be snorkeling with. If you're going on guided group tours, the short fins will do fine. These outfits generally take customers to calm waters knowing that many in the group are probably new to snorkeling. The short fins are also easier haul around and pack in your luggage. If you and your partner plan on going to snorkeling spots on your own, the longer fins are more useful. Stronger currents may come into play.

As you might have gathered from reading other threads on this forum, fit & comfort should be the only criteria when selecting a mask. Buying a mask without trying it on first can lead to great aggrivation if it constantly leaks when you're snorkeling. That being said, I've purchased a couple of masks online through ebay in the past and have never had a leaking problem. If you have an average sized face (not long and skinny or large and round), the mask will probably fit. If it doesn't fit, you'll be stuck having to rent one at each spot in Cetral America.

100% dry snorkels are best if you'll be snorkeling in choppy waters. If the water's calm, the open-ended snorkels will do just fine. The most important feature of a snorkel should be a purge valve located just below the mouthpeice. This allows you to easily blow-out any water that happens to leak in.

Have fun!

 

[CapnDan]

Neither set appeared to me to be of particularly good quality, although I suppose the fins on set #2 look a little bit better (although there's no way to really know without getting your hands on them and trying them out). However, when you buy dive gear your first priority should be fit, not quality. The second priority is knowing how to use your gear properly. Quality is in third place. As any experienced snorkeler will tell you, cheap gear that fits you properly is far better than quality gear that doesn't.

Rather than buying from ebay, you need to go to a store that lets you try on your gear before you buy it, as well as return it if necessary. And of course you need to familiarize yourself by practicing and training with your gear before you go on the trip. If any of your purchases turn out to be problematic (and this happens all the time) then this will give you a chance to replace those items.

Your mask needs to fit your face comfortably and not leak, and there's no way to find this out without trying it on to see if it will "stick", and then trying it in the water. The type of mask is relatively unimportant compared to the fit.

Your fins need to fit your feet extremely well, otherwise you could develop blisters or leg cramps. For recreational snorkeling in non-technical conditions the type of fin is not nearly as important as the fit. You will probably be quite happy with any lighweight, easily driven fins as long as they're comfortable. Since you ask, I would suggest reasonably short fins that are designed for snorkeling, as they will be both more manueverable and easier to travel with. Also, full-foot fins (set #1) will protect your feet better and are generally the best choice for tropical snorkeling, but open-heel fins (set #2) are more adjustable and thus you might get a better fit. (If you were expecting to go out in challenging conditions then I would change these recommendations. In that case I would suggest buying better gear and spending a lot of time practicing with it.)

Many sporting goods stores carry all-in-one snorkeling packages that are similar to what you're seeing on ebay. I've even seen gear at WalMart that looks perfectly adequate for basic snorkeling. However, you will probably be better off buying just a mask & snorkel set and buying your fins separately, as this should give you a better range of choices.

My main point, though, is that this type of gear doesn't always fit, so you need to both try it on and try it out. You also should have the option of changing your mind without wasting a lot of time and money shipping gear back and forth. Buying your gear on ebay is not the best way to go.

 

[YvonneH]

Thanks everyone.

As for trying gear on, I wish that were possible. I live in North Bay, Ontario (nothing but overpriced, poorly stocked scuba outfitters up here), and I'll be catching my plane in Toronto bright and early--too early got last minute shopping. Perhaps it might be worthwhile to go down to the city a day early to shop around. Even still, I made a few phone calls, and Toronto sports stores seem to have few deals regarding gear. The only other choice might be grabbing some equipment in San Jose before my trip, but I'm unsure of prices or availabiity there.

As to your other advice, I don't expect to be going out in rough waters or strong currents. I will be with guided groups unless I am just playing around on the beach. I also expect to do some cave tubing and bodyboarding while I'm there.

With that in mind, I'm wondering if I might be happiest with a pair of stubby bodyboarding fins, like Churchill Slashers or Laguna Neofins. They'd be light and easy to use, and versatile for my activities. Do you think they might be appropriate for snorkeling in this case?

Thanks again for your thoughtful responses everyone.

Yvonne

 

[David Wilson]

I agree that really any kind of fins will do for snorkelling, so long as the foot pocket fits both lengthwise and widthwise. Too small and they will cause cramps, too big and they will raise blisters or drop off. If you can't get a perfectly sized pair, settle for slightly loose fins, wearing them with booties or socks.

You ask about bodyboarding fins. The "original swimfins" of modern times were designed and manufactured by Owen Churchill before World War II:

Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers | Owen Churchill | Smithsonian's National Museum of American History |

They were used by "skin diving" pioneers long before bodysurfers adopted the style. When I snorkelled at La Jolla Cove several years ago, I noticed one or two snorkellers happily wearing bodysurfing fins. Others wore adjustable-heel scuba fins, while many, including myself, had full-foot fins on their feet. Only scuba divers and freedivers spend their lives arguing that only one particular brand of fins is appropriate for their aquatic pursuit. Mercifully, in snorkelling, really anything goes. For what it's worth, I began snorkelling in the 1960s, wearing full-foot rubber fins and I still snorkel with this type of fins. My favourite is my pair of Mexican-made Escualo Clasica fins because they fit me like a glove. They're very unlikely to fit you too, though, so try on any fins before you buy, in the water if possible.

As for masks, you have also been given good advice here too. I prefer one brand of rubber-skirted mask, because it's the kind I grew up with, it fits my face so well and I dislike silicone masks. Take the time, if you can, to locate a mask that fits your face. Try masks on without attaching the strap, just breathe in through your nose to create a vacuum and the mask will stay in place if it's an exact match.

Have a great time. Snorkelling is such a wonderfully spontaneous activity that can be enjoyed wherever there's a beach, lake or sea. I snorkel every weekend in the North Sea off the coast of North East England.