Best Snorkel Fins for 2024 [UPDATED]
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This guide to the best snorkel fins is by world-expert marine biologist, Dr Simon Pierce, co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation where he leads the Global Whale Shark Program. Most of Simon’s marine biology work is conducted on snorkel.
Hi! I’m Simon. As a marine biologist and whale shark researcher, most of my work is done on snorkel – either surface swimming or freediving – so I’m always keeping an eye on the best fins for snorkeling.
Mads and I have snorkeled with whale sharks, manta rays, seals, green turtles, sharks, dolphins, and through beautiful reefs around the world.
For these encounters, the best fins for snorkeling are Mares Avanti Superchannel Snorkel Fin. They’re super comfortable on various foot types, have an easy kick action that won’t tire you out, provide a blast of power, and is our pick of our Overall Winner for Best Fins for Snorkeling 2024.
If the Mares Avanti’s are out of stock, the best alternatives are the Mares Volo Racer and the less expensive Mares Plana. Otherwise - we have suggestions below for specific needs like travel or extra power, or easy-kick if knees are an issue.
You can click on the snorkel fin name to read more customer reviews and check the current price, or, keep scrolling to check out our brief comparison, then below are our detailed reviews that include pros and cons, followed by our Buyers Guide.
I’ve also created guides like this one for snorkel masks, full face masks, prescription snorkel masks, and kids snorkel sets, as well as my overall guide for the best gear for snorkeling.
The Best Snorkeling Fins for 2024 are:
Mares Superchannel Snorkel Fins – WINNER
Aqua Lung Express Snorkel Fins - High-End Speed fins
Scubapro GO Travel Snorkel Fins – High-end Travel Fins
Cressi Palau Short Fins – Travel Fins
Mares Quattro Power Snorkel Fins – Advanced Fins
Sier Snorkel Split Fins – Easy-kick Fins
Scuba Pro Seawings Snorkel Fins – High-End Fins
Wildhorn Topside Fins – Multi-Use Fin
Quick Comparison: Best Snorkel Fins for 2024
Click through to see color options, price, and read user reviews, or keep scrolling for my full review.
Mares Superchannel Snorkel Fins
WINNER All-Rounder Snorkel Fins
Aqua Lung Express Snorkel Fins
Best Snorkel Fins Runner up
Scubapro GO Travel Snorkel Fins
Best High-end Snorkel Fins for Travel
Cressi Palau Short Fins
Best Budget Snorkel Fins for Travel
Mares Quattro Power Snorkel Fins
Best Advanced Snorkel Fins
Sier Snorkel Split Fins
Best Easy-Kick Snorkel Fins
Scuba Pro Seawings Snorkel Fins
Best High-End Snorkel Fins
Wildhorn Topside Snorkel Fins
Best Multi-Function Snorkel Fins
Our Reviews.
Best Snorkel Fins
for 2024
WINNER Best All-Rounder
Mares Superchannel Snorkel Fins
“Comfortable soft easy kick fins with loads of power when you need it makes the Mares Superchannel Fin our top pick.” Simon J Pierce
or, check the latest price here
What we like about this snorkel fin: The Mares Avanti Superchannel Snorkel Fin are the best snorkel fins because they make kicking a breeze, while the multichannel design efficiently propels you through the water. Great for duck divers who need a little underwater power. An ultra-comfortable, soft-molded foot pocket means you can wear with or without neoprene socks. This is our clear winner for The Best Fins for Snorkeling for 2024.
Other factors: The fins have a medium flex, and this means they’re easier to kick than our expert choice, but not as powerful. Compared to our Beginner’s choice which is very flexible, they are more much more powerful but require a little more effort to kick. We go through this in more detail at the bottom here.
Runner Up
Aqua Lung Express Snorkel Fins
or, check the latest price here
What we like about this snorkel fin: A powerful good looking fin that’s positioned to be more powerful than the Mares Superchannel, without the stiffness of the Mares Quattro Power.
Other factors: If you are fairly strong and want to shoot through the water, get the Quattro Powers over these.
Best Snorkel Fin for Travel
Scubapro GO Travel Snorkeling Fin
“If you’re after a travel snorkel fin that’s compact, light on weight but not on power, then the Scubapro GO Travel Snorkeling Fin is the one for you.” Simon J Pierce
or, check the latest price here
What we like about this snorkel fin: The most popular travel fin for snorkelers and divers. Enjoy ‘easy-kick’ surface snorkeling for long periods with excellent propulsion while maintaining streamlined power during shallow freedives. It has a comfortable soft-molded foot pocket, is incredibly durable (‘unbreakable’!), and travels well at 771 g.
Other factors: The shorter blade won’t give as much powerful propulsion as the Mares Quattro above. They are also not as aesthetically pleasing, but hey, they do a great job without the fuss, and certainly outperform other ‘travel fins’ on the market.
Best Budget Snorkel Fins for Travel
Cressi Palau Snorkeling Short Fins
or, check the latest price here
What we like about this snorkel fin: These super-compact short fins are ideal for travel, and will easily fit into your carry-on. They’re most suited to relaxed snorkeling as to pick up speed or fin against currents requires hard work. Surprisingly though - they give decent propulsion for their size with lots of fantastic reviews here confirming this. Snorkelers report keeping up with marine life well, even if you do need to kick twice as much. Your fin kick style would need to be quite small and quick, as opposed to the longer fluid kick style possible with longer fins.
Take advantage of this package which includes your entire premium snorkel set, complete with mesh bag. If you’re after a set that’s more afforable check out the Zeeporte which people love.
Other factors: They are short, really short. This means you’ll need to kick harder and faster to keep up with your normal finned friends - but they’ll do the trick. All that kicking also creates lots of noise and whitewash at the surface which can scare away skittish marine life. We personally prefer longer stealth-like fins that silently cut through the water. But - we also need to lug them around so, just depends what you’re after!
Best Advanced Snorkel Fin
Mares Avanti Quattro Power Snorkeling Fin
“If you’re an expert snorkeller who duck dives to explore underwater then the Mares Avanti Quattro Power Snorkeling Fin will provide optimal propulsion when submerged.” Simon J Pierce
or, check the latest price here
What we like about this snorkel fin: These longer blade fins are also very popular amongst divers and freedivers as they provide amazing power. They’re flexible enough to snorkel at the surface without tiring out while giving enough propulsion to keep up with those mantas or swim against currents.
If you are a beginner and you have decently strong legs go for these as their stiffness won’t tire you out, and you’ll love how these blasts you through the water. Best enjoyed with a pair of neoprene socks.
Other factors: To get its excellent power the fin is slightly stiffer, which means prolonged sessions in the ocean may get tiring if you have slightly weaker leg muscles.
Best Easy-Kick Snorkel Fins
Sier Snorkel Split Fins
or, check the latest price here
Things we love: The floppy split fin design minimizes pressure on the knees and makes gliding through the water a breeze. People love these as they won’t tire out your legs during long snorkel sessions. The super soft foot pockets lock onto your foot giving the fins an excellent reaction to fine foot movements.
Downsides? Split fins are not as powerful as non-split fins so you’ll need to fin more to get the same propulsion as our top picks, so if you need some serious power go for one of the Mares or the Aqua Lung above.
Best High-End Snorkel Fins
Scuba Pro Seawings Snorkel Fins
or, check the latest price here
Things we love: These full-length Seawings are extremely popular for advanced snorkelers. The unusual hinge gives the perfect blend of flex and stiffness making them great for all surface snorkeling and shallow freediving where excellent propulsion is required. The Seawing fins are much more attractive than the utilitarian Scuba Pro GO Fins above, while borrowing some handy features like the fin hook hole for hanging them up. They come in black, white, hot pink, and the brightest yellow you’ve ever seen. Oh - and they also float in water.
Downsides? Expensive.
Best Multi-Function Snorkel Fins
Wildhorn Topside Snorkel Fins
“These fins cleverly integrate neoprene socks and shoe soles with a short blade fin. While not for us, masses of people seem to love them.” Simon J Pierce
or, check the latest price here
Things we love: These are hugely popular and people love you can wear them across the hot sand, rocks, or hard-shelled entries that can be hard on your feet. Their short fins feel like you are wearing nothing. They are also comfortable thanks to the neoprene socks. Popular amongst casual snorkelers who just want something a bit more than their own feet. Also gaining popularity amongst swimmers and surfers.
Other factors: Short fins mean minimal propulsion. Not something we’d personally recommend though given their massive popularity we’d be amiss to not include them here.
Best alternative to checkout: Greatever Snorkel Fins
The Research.
Buyers Guide to the
Best Fins for Snorkeling in 2024
Why you can trust this guide
Simon is a shark conservation biologist and world-renowned underwater photographer who dives, snorkels and freedives for a living. He is a co-founder and Principal Scientist at the Marine Megafauna Foundation, where he leads the global whale shark research and conservation program. His marine research and photography are routinely covered by major media outlets, including the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and New York Times amongst many others. One of his photographs was chosen as a personal favourite of Sir David Attenborough’s, in conjunction with BBC’s Blue Planet II series, and another illustrates one of the global PADI scuba diving certification cards.
Madeleine is an avid scuba diver and recreational freediver who’s dived some of the most spectacular locations around the world, including Misool and northern Raja Ampat, Lembongan, Lembeh Straight, Tulamben, Fiji, Vanuatu, and of course at home in Australia. She’s a minimalist and likes to travel light (which Simon encourages, as he can then use her baggage allowance!!), opting to mostly hire dive and snorkel gear wherever she goes. She’s been sampling the world’s equipment for over a decade. She has opinions.
As seen in:
How we identified the best fins for snorkeling:
We looked at all the current models from top brands globally to find the best snorkel fins on the market in 2024. Aside from our own personal experience with lots of different snorkel fins, Madeleine spent hours watching YouTube Reviews and product explainers, arguing with Simon, debating with diver friends, and scouring reviews and message boards. To summarize:
I spent 12 hours in snorkel fin research on Amazon and LeisurePro.
I read hundreds of reviews covering all experience levels and snorkeling needs.
I viewed dozens of YouTube reviews and product explainers.
I spoke to snorkeling retailers in both Australia and Indonesia who specialize in snorkeling, freedive, and diving fins.
Simon and I spend our lives in the water and know what is needed in various situations.
We’ve chatted with dozens of other snorkelers about their fins and what’s important to them.
We interviewed marine biologists and snorkeling tour guides to get their feedback on functionality and durability.
Things to consider when choosing a top snorkel fin:
Quality construction and durability
Comfort is paramount, without it you won’t kick effectively or enjoy the experience.
A blend of flex and stiffness is needed and your experience level and leg strength will largely affect preference.
A medium-length blade is convenient to travel with and performs well under most conditions.
We like a full foot fin. Firstly, they are cheaper than open foot plus you don’t need to buy boots; are ultra-comfortable and feel soft and amazing when paired with neoprene socks; they are light and more compact to travel with; they’re firmly secured against your foot so feel like a true extension of your body; they’re streamlined and less bulky; they have less parts to break.
and finally, Price. A good snorkeling fin shouldn’t cost more than $150. Anything under $50 can lack quality, power, and comfort.
Short blade snorkel fins are all the rage. Personally, we don’t like them.
Here’s our snorkel fin picks and you can see clearly the difference in length. Often you’ll find snorkeling fins that are short – like the multifunctional Wildhorn below – but we don’t like these as they offer little propulsion so you have to kick furiously to keep up. Also, due to all that kicking, short snorkel fins are noisy and create excess whitewash. Longer snorkel fins are quick, smooth and stealthy which is what’s needed for excellent wildlife encounters, as skittish animals will be freaked out by the thrashing about and duck for cover.
Recently on a whale shark snorkeling trip, the boat offered guests short fins, while Simon and I had our longer fins. We had no trouble keeping up with the shark compared to the short finners who were kicking hard and getting nowhere fast. In addition, their hard kicking created excess whitewash and noise.
Simon’s current snorkeling and dive fin is our pick for Expert snorkelers – the longer blade Mares Avanti Quattro Power Snorkeling Fin. When we need serious freediving power we use our long blade freediving fins.
Snorkel fins vs dive fins
Fins come in a range of flex and rigidity:
Divers like a rigid more powerful fin to move all their equipment through the water to swim against strong currents at depth and when surfacing.
Snorkelers like a more flexible easy-kick fin that cuts through the surface easily. Our top picks are ideal for snorkeling, even if they can also be used for diving.
Flex and stiffness of a snorkel fin
If you spend time snorkeling at the surface you’ll want something flexible and easy to kick, but if you like to explore with some shallow freediving often you’ll want something that’s more rigid and powerful underwater.
You can see below, what’s BLACK is flexible rubber, what’s YELLOW is stiff:
High flexibility
Mare Wave is mostly rubber so highly flexible, easier to kick, but less power. Suitable for: beginners, and/or those with less leg power.
Mid flexibility
Mares Multi-channel is about half-half, so medium flexibility, and power. Suitable for: Everyone, it’s our top pick.
Low flexibility
Mares Avanti Power has a small amount of rubber, so less flexible and harder to kick, but lots of power. Suitable for: experts, and/or those with more leg power.
Leg strength matters when choosing a snorkel fin
Do you have strong leg muscles? If so, you can skip directly to our expert snorkeling fins. You won’t outgrow these guys – they’re great for surface snorkeling and for full-on freediving, providing you loads of power. It’s the slightly increased rigidity that gives them more power, but your strong legs won’t even notice it, and the more flexible fins might seem too flimsy for you.
Do you have weaker leg muscles? If so, you’ll love the beginner snorkel fins, regardless of skill level. The huge amounts of flexible rubber mean kicking is super easy for long periods of time, so you won’t get tired legs. These will be less powerful and fast, but means you’ll enjoy the experience!
We love a full foot snorkel fin
Over the years we have come to love closed heel fins with neoprene socks, over open heel with booties.
Lighter and smaller to travel with than bulky open heels and booties, which are as bulky as a pair of sneakers.
The fin is firmly secured against your foot so they’re immediately responsive to your movements and finning power.
Fin socks are super comfortable to wear, and won’t rub like the zip and heel on a bootie can.
Provide a streamlined in-water experience. The bulkiness of booties and their zips, along with the size adjuster on open heeled fins tend to cause unnecessary drag.
If you’re snorkeling in cooler areas or with rocky entries where you’ll want to protect your feet then go open heel with booties, but we find it’s almost never needed. Even on the odd rubble shore dive we can hack the few steps it takes to get deep enough to sit and put on our fins.
The Best Snorkeling Fins for 2024 are:
Mares Superchannel Snorkel Fins – WINNER
Aqua Lung Express Snorkel Fins - High-End Speed fins
Scubapro GO Travel Snorkel Fins – Travel Fins
Cressi Palau Short Fins – Budget Travel Fins
Mares Quattro Power Snorkel Fins – Advanced Fins
Sier Snorkel Split Fins – Easy-kick Fins
Scuba Pro Seawings Snorkel Fins – High-End Fins
Wildhorn Topside Fins – Multi-Use Fin
