Snorkeling is often the way that most people get into diving. It’s the least expensive way of enjoying the world under the waves and means you can submerge your face in the sea to check out the amazing and wonderous world that is down below. Maybe you’re interested in how do snorkels work, or, you’re looking for that perfect dry snorkel for your next trip?
What you may not have realized, if you’re new to the scuba diver experience and snorkeling, is that there’s more than one kind of snorkel out there. So before you arrive at your next snorkel destination, let’s take a look at the options out there and some of the best snorkeling gear for beginners and experienced alike.
The different types of snorkels are the traditional snorkel, semi-dry snorkel, and dry snorkel. Although these all have their differences along with pros and cons, we’re going to focus in this post on the one that’s perhaps the most popular – the dry snorkel.
If you’ve ever run a search for the best dry snorkel before, you’ll already know what a vast variety is out there. That’s why here at Ocean Scuba Dive, we really want to help you out with the homework and research that are essential when buying any of the gear you need for diving.
Best Dry Snorkels for Scuba Diving
You don’t just want to go out and purchase the best snorkel brand or one that just looks good if you want to ensure you have the best snorkeling or scuba diving experience. However, not all divers carry a snorkel when scuba diving, in fact, there’s a lot of debate about it. Where do you stand on the debate of is a snorkel necessary for scuba diving?
You’ll need the best dry snorkel for mouth comfort and avoids mouth fatigue, which will also last and more importantly, one that doesn’t let water in. With these picks of the best dry snorkel reviews, you’ll be ready for the worlds best snorkeling destinations in no time! So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
1. Aqua Lung Impulse 3 2-Valve Flex Snorkel
First on our list is the Aqua Lung Impulse. Aqua Lung is another brand that has been featured many times before in many of our articles and buying guides here at Ocean Scuba Dive.
This is with very good reason because they make high-performing diving equipment and solutions that are both functional and practical while having the durability you want to get the most from your investment. So it is not surprising that they have a place for the best dry snorkel in our top 10 list.
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The 2 valve purge system has the chamber positioned beneath the mouthpiece to keep your air free from water and is super easy to purge. To clear this the purge valve allows that with a gentle puff you’ll be able to get rid of any water that does make its way into the tubing.
Thanks to its large bore, which has a valve to and drain water out, there’s very little to no breathing resistance, making it easy to breathe comfortably and enjoy a scuba diving and swimming experience free of the drag you can get with some others. This model also comes with the option of a Flex model that means you can undo the release clip to drop the Comfo-Bite mouthpiece to ensure clear vision ideal if scuba diving. The mouthpieces are replaceable and available in two mouth sizes.
2. Cressi Adult Diving Dry Snorkel
Cressi is an incredibly popular and highly reputable diving accessory and equipment brand, especially among experts and professionals. They’re known for designing and manufacturing high-quality and durable items and the Cressi Supernova is no different.
This comes equipped with a barrel that’s very flexible and, will, therefore, move along with you to allow you the ability to turn your head easily without suffering from fatigue in the jaw area.
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It’s also very travel-friendly, due to its compact size and lightweight design it’s probably the best dry snorkel for traveling. At the bottom of this great accessory, there’s a one-way purge valve that’s very easy to clear, meaning you’ll never have to battle with water for air.
It has a soft silicone mouthpiece and the flexibility and length to fit large face profiles. As if that all wasn’t enough, it’s worth noting that this snorkel is very affordable and available in a wide variety of colors.
3. Phantom Aquatics Dry Snorkel
Next in our list are the rather awesome scuba dry snorkels from Phantom Aquatics. What we love about this model is that it’s so compact when folded up that it’ll fit in virtually any sized day bag or pack, meaning you’re always ready and prepared to jump into the water.
The oval shape slick bore and angled mouthpiece make this a dream to use underwater and one of the types of snorkel good for scuba divers. It has a dry top to keep water out and virtually eliminates any intake.
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The opening of the tube seals while underwater to keep it dry, but should any water enter it can easily be blown out with the purge valve systems one-way valve and with the large self-draining chamber at the bottom.
You can detach it when you’re ready to put it away using just one hand thanks to the quick-release clip. Another nice touch from Phantom is the fact that the angled mouthpiece can be replaced, this means you can get even more use out of it because you don’t have to throw it away if the mouthpiece starts to fail.
4. Cressi Alpha Ultra Dry
We’re looking at another great option from the Italian masters of diving equipment and gear. The Cressi Alpha Ultra diving snorkel is evidence of just how much experience and skills they have in designing diving gear.
It is built with cutting-edge tech and top-grade materials to produce dry snorkels that are as stylish as it is high-performance. Flexible materials and lightweight design enables you to spend more time with your head under and will help to prevent jaw fatigue.
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There’s also the wide opening for air supply which means you can breathe almost similarly to you would out of the water. As a nice addition, it’s also equipped with an auto float mechanism. This also features a self-draining purge valve for use when switching from scuba to snorkel
When it comes to storing it away and transporting it, Cressi has made it foldable and at that size, it’s easy enough to fit it inside a travel pack or even a pocket in your BC.
5. ScubaPro Laguna 2 Scuba Divers Dry Snorkel
Scubapro is another one of those diving equipment and accessories brands that command a lot of respect within the snorkeler community for their commitment to high-quality and high-performance products. That’s exactly what you get with the Scubapro Laguna 2.
This option has a patented, lightweight valve design that opens and closes automatically when it comes into contact with water, this ensures that no water can enter the opening so it will remain dry even when waves hit.
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Comfort was at the forefront of the design team who worked on this snorkel and it has a mouthpiece that’s ergonomically-shaped to provide you with the maximum amount of comfort during use. As the mouthpiece is not only adjustable but replaceable, you don’t necessarily have to buy a completely new snorkel if the mouthpiece starts failing.
Furthermore, because it has a corrugated and flexible exhaust part, the snorkel will automatically drop away from your face with the release clip so it does not impede your vision, with an easy release system, when not in use making it ideal for scuba divers. This is a well-designed snorkel tube with a very efficient self-draining purge valve that makes quick work of any water drops that should manage to get inside the snorkel.
6. Mares Ergo Dry Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Snorkel
There’s a reason why you’ll always find a Mares product or 2 in any of our buying guides and articles here on Ocean Scuba Dive, and that’s because they have a sterling reputation for designing and constructing amazing diving equipment.
This option is no different, at just 4.8-ounces, it’s easily one of the lightest scuba dry snorkels in our guide and on the market, and thanks to its flexible snorkel tube, it’s incredibly easy to store away in your luggage.
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Crucially though, it’s the one-way water purge valve that’s easy to use and the exceptionally comfortable curved mouthpiece, that really makes this a winner.
The combination of the dry top that prevents water from coming in and a snorkel exhaust purge valve in the mouthpiece ensures a dry breathing environment and makes it possible to enjoy longer and more intensive snorkeling sessions.
7. Riffe Stable Snorkel
It may have a slightly higher price tag than many we’ve featured in our guide so far, but it’s with good reason that the Riffe Stable is mentioned. The low-profile shape of the snorkels tubes design runs up to a mouthpiece that’s molded so that it fits perfectly.
Riffe has used a durable and flexible vinyl material so that the tubing is easy to fold down into any pack or BC for while you’re traveling.
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This features a float design that closes instantly to prevent water from entering and keeps the snorkel dry whether accidentally or purposely submerged, but just in case there is a reservoir and purge valve to allow for ease of removing just like most on the list of our best dry snorkel.
If it looks familiar, you may notice that this option has a shark fin-style shape that makes it easier to move through the water while avoiding floating debris or seaweed. Because of this, it’s one of the easiest to clean available right now.
8. Oceanic Ultra-Dry 2 Snorkel
Oceanic has produced one of the models that utilize its own patented technology to ensure that it keeps water from getting into the mask and flexible tube no matter what the conditions or waves. But as with all options of best dry snorkel should water can get in, if you accidentally remove it from your mouth etc, this has a large purge valve for easy clearing that helps ensure uninterrupted airflow for the best dry breathing environment as it flushes excess water out.
With the mask clip for easy drop-away flex-style silicone mouthpiece, it will sit nicely inside your mouth to make your snorkeling experience as comfortable as possible for as long as possible.
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One of the biggest concerns most snorkelers have is suffering from jaw fatigue and that’s something that just won’t happen with this comfortable mouthpiece and like some others mentioned in this list, the mouthpiece is also completely removable and can be replaced easily so there’s no reason to pay out for a new one every time the mouthpiece starts to fail.
The ergonomic design of the snorkel also makes it excellent in terms of both performance and comfort, with the low profile allowing an unmatched volume of airflow through the snorkel.
9. XS Scuba 3D Flex Dry Snorkel
The M-Line 3D dry snorkel from XS Scuba is one of the top-performing diving aids on the market. One of the best things about this scuba snorkel is its purge valve system which allows you to descend further down under the water and it features a simple button that purges any water that should make its way inside the flex tube.
In the rare situation that that happens. With the unique floating valve system that closes on contact with water and this dry top of the snorkel will open automatically when they are out of the water and that eliminates the vacuum effect.
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Mouthpieces should never course discomfort and another huge benefit from this affordable, silicone-based snorkel is that it has a mouthpiece that’s adjustable. So, you don’t need to compromise or just put up with an ill-fitting mouthpiece that could impede your enjoyment while diving or worse still make it less safe.
You can simply adjust it until it fits your mouth most comfortably and attaches to your mask via the clip. The fact that the snorkel tubes is also flexible means that you can adjust that, so it contours better with your body.
10. Tusa Hyperdry Elite II Dry Top Snorkel
Last, but certainly not least on our list of best snorkels is the Tusa Hyperdry Elite scuba diving snorkel. Tusa is known for their ingenious designs and high-quality diving gear, and that’s exactly what you get with this Hyperdry Elite II model – a well-designed, top-grade dry snorkel.
The company has worked hard to reduce drag with this model and as it can even be positioned completely horizontally, you can gain greater speed through the water. Whereas with some of the other scuba diving snorkels on the market, there’s always that worry in the back of your head that water is going to find its way in, you don’t have that with the Hyperdry.
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Thanks to the high technology Tusa Hyperdry Elite II Dry Top Snorkel valve they’ve incorporated into its design, it detects water and closes automatically to prevent water from entering, by a sudden wave or splashing, stopping you from getting a mouthful of saltwater. The Comfort Swivel adapter that Tusa has put on this model makes it possible to slip the dive mask strap into the slit with no problem.
This option features a covered large diameter purge valve which gives you simple and quick clearing making it easy to use and reduces the amount of water remaining in the mouthpiece in an instant. The tubing is a large diameter and the design of a comfortable mouthpiece makes breathing for the diver effortless. This enables you to fully enjoy your diving experience longer and more safely. Definitely a well-deserved spot on our list as the best dry snorkel.
For a quick recap, Here are our 3 most popular Dry Snorkels;
- Float Mechanism
- Removable Mouthpiece
- Quick Release Clip
- +20 Color Options
- Matching Mask Av.
- Low-Profile Dry Top
- Angled Purge Valve
- +14 Color Options
- Quick Release Clips
- Removable Mouthpiece
- Easy Purge Valve System
- +18 Color Options
Frequently Asked Questions about Dry Snorkels
There we have it guys, a look at some of the best dry snorkels available right now. We’re sure we’ve given you enough food for thought and from the 10 dry snorkel reviews above you’re bound to find the right one for you.
Diving is a personal thing and the equipment must be the right match for your needs, capabilities, and how often you’ve been diving for. Use the reviews as a guide and take into consideration the cost, but don’t base your decision on price alone.
Some people, for example, prefer a flexible snorkel tube part, because they offer flexibility that makes it easy to position it so that your mouthpiece is comfortable, however, others may prefer rigid tubes.
By looking at this guide, considering your options carefully, you’ll be able to find one of the best dry snorkels to suit you.
What does a dry snorkel mean?
A dry snorkel is a snorkel that has a valve and splash guard on the top that means very little or no water will get in and eliminates the need to constantly blow water from the snorkel.
Whereas the traditional J type snorkels had a ball system that stopped the swallowing of water but requires the necessity of blowing the water from the tube, a bit like a whale spout that you imagine when thinking of snorkelers.
Can you breathe underwater with a dry snorkel?
The simple answer is no, you cannot breathe underwater with a dry mask, but only when you are swimming on the surface with your head partially underwater while the exhaust is out of the water. A dry snorkel merely stops a wave or splashes of water from filling your tube, however, you can go underwater without the need to clear the tube out when you surface.
What is the difference between a dry and semi dry snorkel?
The main difference between the dry and semi-dry snorkel is the fact that a dry snorkel tube (exhaust) will remain filled with air even when you dive and this adds buoyancy, therefore, not the ideal option if you are freediving, whereas, semi-dry snorkels will fill with water and therefore are better for diving.
How does a snorkel work underwater? While you can dive with all forms of snorkels they do not allow you to breathe underwater, however, with dry snorkels, you will be able to take a breath as soon as you break the surface due to the valve that is on the top of the tube.
Are dry snorkels safe?
Dry snorkels are as safe as any form of snorkel. However, a dry snorkel does remain full of air and can cause drag due to the buoyancy this creates, the consequence of this is that if you are diving and wearing a snorkel mask and tube they can cause leakage in the mask due to the drag. Brilliant for a snorkeling experience but not so good for diving.
