Snorkeling
A rented mask, snorkel and fins, a buddy and a calm beach with lifeguards. The first sessions are about a mask that does not leak, floating without effort and looking without touching.
What it is like
Snorkeling is swimming face-down at the surface while you breathe through a tube, with a mask to see through and fins to move. Over a reef in clear water it opens a whole world a few feet below you, and the basics are quick to learn for anyone at home in the sea.
That last part is the catch. The Hawaii Department of Health warns that more visitors to the state drown while snorkeling than during any other activity, and asks snorkelers to be experienced ocean swimmers who check conditions, ask lifeguards and never go alone.
So the hobby starts on land: a mask that seals, fins that fit, a buddy, a calm beach with lifeguards and a morning with good visibility. In the water it is mostly floating, breathing slowly and kicking only when you need to.
The reef matters as much as you do. Look without touching, keep your distance from turtles, never stand on the coral and check your sunscreen’s ingredients, since the National Park Service lists several that harm coral.
- A session
- An hour in the water is plenty at first.
- A week
- Whenever you are near clear water.
- Season
- Summer in cool regions; all year in warm water.
Outdoors · For two
Kinds and styles
Wade in at a calm, guarded beach and swim out over the reef or rocks.
Trips take you to reefs away from shore.
An instructor fits the gear and stays with you; one Hanauma Bay lesson is listed from $100.
Swimming races with a snorkel and fins; two of its disciplines are swum at the surface.
Diving down on one breath; it needs training and a separate snorkel.
Is it for you?
You will probably love it if
- You are a confident swimmer in the sea or open water
- You live near, or travel to, warm and clear water
- You like watching fish and reefs more than chasing speed
Maybe not, if
- You are not a strong swimmer; the Hawaii Department of Health says snorkelers should be experienced ocean swimmers
- You have nobody to go with; snorkeling alone is not safe
- Asthma, diabetes, heart disease or a recent infection worry you; the Hawaii Department of Health lists them among possible drowning risk factors, so ask a doctor first
What to buy first
- 01A day's snorkel gear rentalMask, snorkel and fins fitted at the shop; one shop includes a life vest$23
- Everything you need to beginAbout $25 a month after that$23
Typical US prices for entry-level gear, rounded. Last checked October 2026. How we get the numbers
What to buy next
- 01Mask and snorkel setA mask that fits your face every timeFind it on Amazon After a few trips
- 02FinsA snug pair of your ownFind it on Amazon With the mask
- 03Snorkel vestRest at the surface without effortFind it on Amazon From the start if you tire easily
- 04Rash guardSunburn and scrape protectionFind it on Amazon Before a sunny trip
- 05Anti-fog for the maskKeeps the view clearFind it on Amazon With the mask
No prices here on purpose: these are later buys, and what to spend depends on how far the hobby has taken you. The Amazon links work like the ones above: a search for the type of item, and a possible commission for us at no extra cost to you.
Snorkel sets compared
Five classic sets from two makers, Cressi and U.S. Divers: a mask and snorkel, with or without fins. No full-face masks: the FAQ below explains why; whichever you buy, check that the mask seals without leaking and the fins fit snugly before the first swim.
| Model | Type | Specs | Who it suits | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cressi Palau Dry Fins Set | Mask, dry snorkel and fins | A Marea twin-lens mask with a 100% silicone skirt, a Seal snorkel whose foam closes it when submerged and a purge valve, and open-heel Palau fins that each fit three or four adjacent sizes; in a reusable bag; made in Italy | Families sharing fins between sizes | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| Cressi Marea + Mexico Pro Combo | Mask and snorkel | The same Marea mask with one-handed strap adjustment, and a Mexico Pro snorkel with a splash guard on top and a soft silicone mouthpiece; made in Italy | Renting fins, or calm water | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| U.S. Divers Admiral LX Set | Mask, dry snorkel and fins | A wide panoramic mask with a soft silicone skirt, a Dry Top snorkel that stops water entering on quick dives, and vented Trek fins; sizes S, M and L; compact for luggage | Taking your own set on a trip | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| U.S. Divers Avila Combo | Mask and snorkel | A curved antifog lens, a hypoallergenic silicone skirt, an elastic fabric strap that does not pull hair, and a Varia LX dry-top snorkel with a flexible section | Long hair, and a no-fuss strap | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
| U.S. Divers Cozumel DX Combo | Mask and snorkel | A wide-angle mask with a soft TPR skirt, and a Seabreeze DX snorkel whose top keeps surface splashes out | Local beaches and holiday snorkelling | Find it on AmazonMaker's page |
How we put this together. All details come from the makers' own product pages (Cressi and U.S. Divers), read on 26 October 2026; no prices, because they change. We have not tested these side by side. Checked on 26 October 2026. There are no prices in this table: the Amazon link searches for the exact model, and we may earn a commission if you buy through it.
From rented gear to a first morning on the reef, step by step
The Hawaii Department of Health warns that more of the state's visitors drown while snorkeling than during any other activity, so this guide starts with the swimmer and the conditions and only then gets to the fish. It goes from fitting rented gear and choosing a guarded beach to floating, reading currents and leaving the reef as you found it.
Warning: Before you start The Hawaii Department of Health warns that more Hawaii visitors drown while snorkeling than during any other activity, and that snorkelers should be experienced ocean swimmers. Check conditions and ask lifeguards before you go in, and do not snorkel in high surf, high wind, heavy shorebreak or strong currents. Always go with a buddy. Take extra care going in and coming out, where waves can knock you over and fill the snorkel. Float to save energy and consider a snorkel vest or belt. If you feel dizzy, disoriented or get a headache, carbon dioxide may be building up in the gear: stay calm, take the gear off at once and get out of the water. If a current carries you, stay calm, float, go with it rather than fight it, and yell and wave toward shore for help. The department is still studying full-face masks; if you use one, breathe slowly through the nose. Recent air travel, asthma, diabetes, heart disease and a recent infection are among the possible risk factors it lists. We do not give medical advice; ask a doctor if any of these apply to you.
Shops by Hanauma Bay on Oahu rent a mask, snorkel and fins for $21.54 to $23.99 a day; check that the mask seals without leaking and the fins fit snugly (Hawaii Department of Health).
High surf, high wind, heavy shorebreak and strong currents are bad conditions; ask the lifeguards before you go in.
Mornings usually bring better conditions and visibility; avoid dawn, dusk and murky water.
Lie face-down, breathe slowly through the snorkel and kick only when you need to; a snorkel vest or belt helps you float.
Keep your distance from turtles, never feed fish and never stand on the coral.
Floating over the reef
From the side: a snorkeler floating face-down at the surface with the snorkel tube above the water, a mask over the eyes and nose, fins at the feet and a snorkel vest at the chest; below, coral and rocks on the sea floor and a few fish.
- A Snorkel Top above the water Breathe slowly. Step 5 →
- B Mask Eyes and nose Must not leak. Step 2 →
- C Snorkel vest At the chest Rest at the surface. Step 5 →
- D Fins Snug fit Kick only as needed. Step 2 →
- E Reef Below you Never stand on it. Step 6 →
Steps 1-3Before you go in
- Step 1 of 8 · Before you go in
Check your swimming
Warning: WARNING If you cannot swim well in the sea, do not snorkel there; a vest does not replace swimming ability.
The Hawaii Department of Health says snorkelers should be experienced ocean swimmers who know the dangers of high surf, strong currents and waves breaking in shallow water.
Most people: a guided trip or lesson (first time).
Start here A guided trip or lessonBest forFirst time
Someone fits the gear and watches the water; one Hanauma Bay lesson is listed from $100.
On your own with a buddyBest forConfident sea swimmers
Only at a calm, guarded beach.
- Step 2 of 8 · Before you go in
Rent and fit the gear
Rent a mask, snorkel and fins ($21.54 to $23.99 a day by Hanauma Bay). Check that the mask seals without leaking, the fins fit snugly and the snorkel is clear, and put anti-fog in the mask.
Most people: mask and separate snorkel (beginners).
Start here Mask and separate snorkelBest forBeginners
The classic set; easy to take off.
Full-face maskBest forNot for now
Still being studied by the Hawaii Department of Health; harder to remove in a hurry.
Not for a first try - Step 3 of 8 · Before you go in
Choose the beach and the time
A calm beach with lifeguards, checked and asked about before you go in, in the morning when conditions and visibility are usually best. Skip high surf, high wind, heavy shorebreak, strong currents and murky water.
Steps 4-7In the water
- Step 4 of 8 · In the water
Go in with a buddy
Enter carefully, since waves can knock you over and fill the snorkel, and keep your buddy in sight the whole time.
Goes wrong: Waves at the water's edge. Go in and come out where the water is calmest.
- Step 5 of 8 · In the water
Float and breathe
Lie face-down, breathe slowly through the snorkel and kick only when needed; a snorkel vest or belt helps you rest. If water gets in, lift your head and empty the tube.
- Step 6 of 8 · In the water
Look without touching
Keep your distance from turtles and other animals, never feed them, and never stand on the reef; stay away from shallow reef and rocks where you cannot stand or tread water.
- Step 7 of 8 · In the water
Know when to get out
Warning: WARNING Dizziness, disorientation or a headache can mean carbon dioxide build-up; continuing can lead to unconsciousness (Hawaii Department of Health).
Turn back before you are tired. If you feel dizzy or get a headache, take off the gear and leave the water. If a current carries you, float, go with it and yell and wave for help.
Step 8Keep going
- Step 8 of 8 · Keep going
Keep going
Rinse the gear in fresh water, buy a mask that fits you, and try boat trips to reefs farther out.
Most people: your own mask and snorkel (regular trips).
Start here Your own mask and snorkelBest forRegular trips
A fit you know and trust.
A freediving courseBest forGoing deeper
Breath-hold diving needs proper training.
In shortIf it goes wrong
- Waves at the water's edge.
- Step 4 · Go in with a buddy
How you get better
- First morningRented gear, a calm beach
Fit the mask, float near shore and get used to breathing through the tube.
- First tripsLonger swims
Over the reef with a buddy, turning back before you tire.
- After a few tripsYour own mask and snorkel
A mask that fits your face and a snorkel you trust.
- After thatYour own direction
Boat trips, a rash guard and fins of your own, or a freediving course.
- Fitting a mask
- Breathing through a snorkel
- Floating face-down
- Kicking with fins
- Clearing a snorkel
- Entering and leaving through waves
- Reading conditions
- Staying with a buddy
Small things that help
- Ask the lifeguards about conditions before you go in.
- Snorkel with a buddy and keep each other in sight.
- Go in the morning, and skip murky water, dawn and dusk.
- Use anti-fog in the mask before you get wet.
- Float and kick only when you need to.
- Check sunscreen ingredients: the National Park Service names oxybenzone, octocrylene, octinoxate, butylparaben and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor as harmful to coral.
Beginner mistakes
- 01Snorkeling aloneA buddy can get help if something goes wrong (Hawaii Department of Health).
- 02Going in on a rough dayHigh surf, strong currents and heavy shorebreak are bad conditions.
- 03Standing on the reefIt harms the coral and can cut you; avoid shallow reef and rocky areas where you cannot stand or tread water.
- 04Fighting a currentFloat and go with it, and signal for help.
- 05Ignoring a headache or dizzinessIt can mean carbon dioxide build-up; remove the gear and get out.
Gear and conditions
The gear from Wikipedia's article on snorkeling; conditions and checks from the Hawaii Department of Health's ocean safety site.
| Item | What it means |
|---|---|
| Mask | Covers the eyes and nose; it must seal without leaking. An anti-fog product keeps it clear |
| Snorkel | A tube for breathing at the surface; check it is clear before you start |
| Fins | Make swimming easier; they should fit snugly |
| Vest or belt | A flotation aid made for snorkeling that helps you rest at the surface |
| Rash guard or wetsuit | Protects from sunburn, stings and scrapes; a wetsuit also keeps you warm in cooler water |
| Bad conditions | High surf, high wind, heavy shorebreak, strong currents, murky water |
| Best time | Usually the morning: calmer water, better visibility, more active fish |
Why people quit
- 01The mask keeps leaking or foggingTry another size or shape at the rental shop, and use an anti-fog product before you get in.
- 02You get tired quicklyFloat more and kick less, and use a snorkel vest or belt; turn back before you are tired, since the way back is as long as the way out.
- 03Waves and currents feel scaryStay at calm, guarded beaches and go in the morning; there is no need to snorkel in rough water.
Words you will meet
- Dry snorkel
- A snorkel with a top that keeps splashes out.
- Full-face mask
- A mask covering the eyes, nose and mouth with a built-in snorkel.
- Shorebreak
- Waves breaking right at the beach.
- Rash guard
- A thin swim shirt against sunburn and scrapes.
- Snorkel vest
- An inflatable flotation aid worn while snorkeling.
- Buddy
- Your snorkeling partner, always in sight.
Questions people ask
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
Yes. The Hawaii Department of Health says snorkelers should be experienced ocean swimmers who know the risks of high surf, strong currents and waves breaking in shallow water.
What does rented gear cost?
By Hanauma Bay on Oahu, two shops list a mask, snorkel and fins at $21.54 and from $23.99 a day; one includes a life vest.
Are full-face masks safe?
The Hawaii Department of Health is still studying them and says there is not yet enough evidence of a direct increase in risk. If you use one, breathe slowly through the nose.
What if a current pulls me away from shore?
Stay calm, float, go with the current rather than fight it, and yell and wave toward shore for help (Hawaii Department of Health).
Which sunscreen should I use?
Read the ingredients: the National Park Service names oxybenzone, octocrylene, octinoxate, butylparaben and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor as damaging to coral, and a 'reef safe' label is not regulated.
Where to go next
- 01KayakingReach quieter coves from the water, then snorkel with a buddy. $707 to start
- 02Reef aquariumThe same reef life, kept at home. $673 to start
How it compares
| Snorkeling | Kayaking | Stand-up paddleboarding | Reef aquarium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start cost | $23 | $707 | $471 | $673 |
| Each month | $25 | $10 | $10 | $50 |
| Space | Calm, clear water by a guarded beach | A garage wall and a lake | A calm lake or bay | A corner of a room |
| Noise | Quiet | Quiet | Quiet | Low |
| First result | Fish on the first morning in clear water | 1 afternoon | 1 afternoon to stand up | 2 to 3 months |
| Mess | Rinse the gear in fresh water | Wet gear | A wet board to dry | Salt water |
Where to learn more
- 01Hawaii Ocean Safety: Snorkeling safetyConditions, buddy, gear checks, full-face masks.
- 02Hawaii Ocean Safety: Strong currentsWhat to do if a current carries you.
- 03National Park Service, Virgin Islands National Park: SnorkelingReef sites and sunscreen ingredients to avoid.
Sources: Hawaii Department of Health, Hawaii Ocean Safety: Snorkeling safety · Hawaii Department of Health, Hawaii Ocean Safety: Strong currents · National Park Service, Virgin Islands National Park: Snorkeling and reef-safe sunscreen · VELTRA (Hawaii Activities): Koko Beach snorkel gear rentals by Hanauma Bay · To-Hawaii.com: Snorkel gear near Hanauma Bay · Wikipedia, Snorkeling
Researched and written by the Fjords Team.