Essential Snorkeling Gear: What to Pack for the Best Underwater Adventure
Because the right gear makes the reef way more magical.
Whether you’re swimming with sea turtles in Hawaii, gliding over coral gardens in the South Pacific, or diving into a chilly cove in the Pacific Northwest, one thing holds true: snorkeling is way more fun when your gear works (and fits).
We’ve snorkeled in a lot of places — some warm and crystal-clear, others moody and cold with kelp forests and sea lions. What we’ve learned? A leaky mask, fogged-up lens, or ill-fitting fins can ruin an otherwise perfect day.
So here it is: our tried-and-tested gear list for a great snorkeling experience. Whether you’re hopping off a boat, wading in from shore, or planning a full-blown island adventure, these essentials will help you stay safe, comfortable, and fully in the moment.
Snorkel Mask (That Actually Seals)
This is the most important piece of snorkeling gear. If your mask doesn’t seal properly, water will seep in every time you move your face — and nothing ruins a snorkel like constantly clearing your mask. We recommend a low-profile mask with tempered glass and a silicone skirt that molds to your face shape. The view should be wide, clear, and fog-free.
Why we love it:
After years of trial and error (and more than one fogged-up failure), we’ve found that a well-fitted mask is the difference between a relaxing drift over the reef and a frustrating constant adjustment session. Trust us — once you find “your” mask, snorkeling becomes effortless.
Shop here: best anti-fog snorkel mask for travel
Shop here: best anti-fog snorkel mask for travel
Travel-Friendly Fins
Fins make you faster and smoother in the water, helping you cover more area with less effort. But you don’t need giant scuba-style flippers. Look for compact, short-blade fins with open heels and adjustable straps — they’re lightweight, easy to pack, and still powerful enough to kick through currents.
Why we love it:
They fit in our carry-on, don’t take up much room in beach bags, and they’ve saved our legs on long reef swims. The right pair feels like an extension of your feet.
Shop here: best snorkeling fins for travel
Travel-Friendly Fins
Fins make you faster and smoother in the water, helping you cover more area with less effort. But you don’t need giant scuba-style flippers. Look for compact, short-blade fins with open heels and adjustable straps — they’re lightweight, easy to pack, and still powerful enough to kick through currents.
Why we love it:
They fit in our carry-on, don’t take up much room in beach bags, and they’ve saved our legs on long reef swims. The right pair feels like an extension of your feet.
They fit in our carry-on, don’t take up much room in beach bags, and they’ve saved our legs on long reef swims. The right pair feels like an extension of your feet.
Shop here: best snorkeling fins for travel
GoPro or Waterproof Action Camera
The only thing better than snorkeling is reliving it later. A waterproof action camera like a GoPro captures your adventure in crystal-clear footage — from swaying anemones to that surprise manta ray fly-by. Make sure to grab a floating grip or wrist strap so it doesn’t vanish into the deep.
Why we love it:
It lets us share those “did that really just happen?!” moments. Plus, editing snorkel clips into a highlight reel is half the fun.
Shop here: best waterproof action camera for snorkeling
It lets us share those “did that really just happen?!” moments. Plus, editing snorkel clips into a highlight reel is half the fun.
Shop here: best waterproof action camera for snorkeling
Quick-Dry, Sand-Free Towel
Towels might seem basic — until you’re dragging a soggy, sand-caked one through the airport. Microfiber towels like Nomadix are lightweight, quick-drying, and sand-resistant. They pack down small, dry fast between dips, and don’t hold onto that “ocean funk” smell.
Why we love it:
We use them for everything — post-snorkel, yoga, airport naps, you name it. One towel = endless uses.
Shop here: quick dry sand-free towel for snorkeling trips
Use Code: Venture_Wild for 15% off
Quick-Dry, Sand-Free Towel
Towels might seem basic — until you’re dragging a soggy, sand-caked one through the airport. Microfiber towels like Nomadix are lightweight, quick-drying, and sand-resistant. They pack down small, dry fast between dips, and don’t hold onto that “ocean funk” smell.
Why we love it:
We use them for everything — post-snorkel, yoga, airport naps, you name it. One towel = endless uses.
Shop here: quick dry sand-free towel for snorkeling trips
We use them for everything — post-snorkel, yoga, airport naps, you name it. One towel = endless uses.
Shop here: quick dry sand-free towel for snorkeling trips
Use Code: Venture_Wild for 15% off
Reef-Safe Mineral Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must. But not all sunscreens are safe for coral reefs. Choose a reef-safe, non-nano mineral sunscreen that’s water-resistant and free from harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Why we love it:
We get peace of mind knowing we’re not harming the ocean we came to enjoy. And the mineral formulas we use actually stay on, even after hours in the water.
Shop here: reef safe mineral sunscreen for snorkeling
We get peace of mind knowing we’re not harming the ocean we came to enjoy. And the mineral formulas we use actually stay on, even after hours in the water.
Dry Bag for Boat & Beach Days
A dry bag keeps your phone, wallet, snacks, and dry clothes safe and, well, dry — even when you’re hopping on and off boats or wading to shore. Look for one with padded shoulder straps and extra pockets for organization.
Why we love it:
We’ve been caught in surprise downpours and salty splashes, and these bags have always kept our gear protected. It’s one of those “once you have it, you’ll never go without it” items.
Shop here: best dry bag for snorkeling trips
Dry Bag for Boat & Beach Days
A dry bag keeps your phone, wallet, snacks, and dry clothes safe and, well, dry — even when you’re hopping on and off boats or wading to shore. Look for one with padded shoulder straps and extra pockets for organization.
Why we love it:
We’ve been caught in surprise downpours and salty splashes, and these bags have always kept our gear protected. It’s one of those “once you have it, you’ll never go without it” items.
Shop here: best dry bag for snorkeling trips
We’ve been caught in surprise downpours and salty splashes, and these bags have always kept our gear protected. It’s one of those “once you have it, you’ll never go without it” items.
Wet Bag for Used Swimsuits or Towels
Once you’re done snorkeling, where do the wet clothes go? A wet bag is a sealed, waterproof pouch that keeps damp swimsuits and towels from soaking the rest of your stuff.
Why we love it:
It keeps our gear stink-free and makes unpacking less gross. Also great for organizing sweaty clothes on hike days.
Shop here: best wet bag for beach and snorkel trips
It keeps our gear stink-free and makes unpacking less gross. Also great for organizing sweaty clothes on hike days.
Sun Shirt or Rash Guard
Sunburns can sneak up fast in the water — even with sunscreen. A good rash guard or sun hoodie provides UPF protection, dries quickly, and keeps you covered without overheating.
Why we love it:
We wear ours every single time we snorkel. It’s comfy, protects our skin, and doubles as a beach cover-up. Bonus: fewer sunscreen reapplications.
Shop here: best sun shirt for snorkeling
Sun Shirt or Rash Guard
Sunburns can sneak up fast in the water — even with sunscreen. A good rash guard or sun hoodie provides UPF protection, dries quickly, and keeps you covered without overheating.
Why we love it:
We wear ours every single time we snorkel. It’s comfy, protects our skin, and doubles as a beach cover-up. Bonus: fewer sunscreen reapplications.
Shop here: best sun shirt for snorkeling
We wear ours every single time we snorkel. It’s comfy, protects our skin, and doubles as a beach cover-up. Bonus: fewer sunscreen reapplications.
Hat
In between snorkel sessions, shade is everything. A good beach hat keeps your face and neck protected from intense tropical sun. Look for something packable, breathable, and — ideally — floatable.
Why we love it:
It’s saved us on long boat rides, island hikes, and airport layovers. Plus, beach hair looks better under a wide brim.
Shop here: best beach hat for travel
It’s saved us on long boat rides, island hikes, and airport layovers. Plus, beach hair looks better under a wide brim.
The ocean glare can be intense. Polarized sunglasses cut through the brightness so you can spot fish from the surface and keep your eyes protected. Look for lightweight, impact-resistant styles.
Why we love it:
Ours go from airport to reef to rum punch happy hour — they’re always on. Plus, spotting sea turtles from above is way easier with polarized lenses.
Shop here: best polarized sunglasses for beach and water sports
Why we love it:
It’s cheap, tiny, and totally saves our snorkeling sessions. Don’t skip it.
Shop Here: how to keep snorkel mask from fogging
Polarized Sunglasses
The ocean glare can be intense. Polarized sunglasses cut through the brightness so you can spot fish from the surface and keep your eyes protected. Look for lightweight, impact-resistant styles.
Why we love it:
Ours go from airport to reef to rum punch happy hour — they’re always on. Plus, spotting sea turtles from above is way easier with polarized lenses.
Shop here: best polarized sunglasses for beach and water sports
Anti-Fog Spray or Wipes
Foggy masks are the worst. Keep a small bottle of anti-fog spray in your snorkel bag and treat your mask before every swim. It makes a massive difference, especially in cold or humid conditions.
Why we love it:
It’s cheap, tiny, and totally saves our snorkeling sessions. Don’t skip it.
Shop Here: how to keep snorkel mask from fogging
It’s cheap, tiny, and totally saves our snorkeling sessions. Don’t skip it.
Travel Gear Bag
You’ve got all the gear — now you need somewhere to put it. A snorkel-friendly travel bag helps keep your equipment organized, protected, and easy to carry through airports, onto boats, or down the beach.
Why we love it:
We can throw in fins, towels, snacks, and everything else without the mess. Ours even has a wet gear pocket — total game changer.
Shop here: best bag for snorkel gear travel
Travel Gear Bag
You’ve got all the gear — now you need somewhere to put it. A snorkel-friendly travel bag helps keep your equipment organized, protected, and easy to carry through airports, onto boats, or down the beach.
Why we love it:
We can throw in fins, towels, snacks, and everything else without the mess. Ours even has a wet gear pocket — total game changer.
Shop here: best bag for snorkel gear travel
We can throw in fins, towels, snacks, and everything else without the mess. Ours even has a wet gear pocket — total game changer.
Wetsuit or Spring Suit (Optional but Awesome)
In cooler waters or longer snorkel sessions, a spring suit or shorty wetsuit keeps your core warm, adds sun protection, and provides light buoyancy. Choose one that’s easy to get on/off and dries fast.
Why we love it:
We wear ours in the Pacific Northwest and Baja California. It keeps the shivers away and extends our snorkel time — totally worth packing.
Shop Here: best wetsuit for snorkeling in cool water
We wear ours in the Pacific Northwest and Baja California. It keeps the shivers away and extends our snorkel time — totally worth packing.
Bonus Comfort & Vibe Gear
• Floating strap – Keeps your GoPro or sunglasses from sinking into oblivion.
• Hydration bottle – Stay hydrated; snorkeling is sneaky cardio.
• Bluetooth speaker – Set the mood for post-snorkel hangs on the beach.
• Chaco sandals – Water-ready shoes that handle sand, reef, and rocky trails.
• Kindle or book – Perfect for drying off and chilling out under a palm tree.
• Hydration bottle – Stay hydrated; snorkeling is sneaky cardio.
• Bluetooth speaker – Set the mood for post-snorkel hangs on the beach.
• Chaco sandals – Water-ready shoes that handle sand, reef, and rocky trails.
• Kindle or book – Perfect for drying off and chilling out under a palm tree.
Final Thoughts
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