If you’ve ever bobbed on the surface, peered down, and thought, “Wow, a whole other world,” we’re right there with you. But knowing what to wear snorkeling can make the difference between a magical glide and a chafe-filled, foggy-masked flop. We’ll walk through the essentials, from masks and fins to rash guards and wetsuits, plus the little add-ons that keep us sun-safe, comfy, and visible. Consider this our honest, beach-bag-ready guide so you pack smart, stay warm, and spend your energy where it belongs: spotting turtles, not fixing gear.
Key Takeaways
- For what to wear snorkeling, choose a tempered-glass, silicone-skirt mask, a semi-dry snorkel with a purge valve, and fins matched to your entry—full-foot for sand, open-heel with booties for rocky or cooler water.
- Nail the fit: do the mask sniff test, set straps high (not tight), pick a comfortable mouthpiece, and keep fins snug with socks or spring straps to prevent leaks and blisters.
- For what to wear snorkeling in different temps, pair UPF 50+ rash guards and leggings with reef-safe mineral sunscreen, and select neoprene thickness by water temperature (1–2 mm warm, 3 mm moderate, 3/2–4/3 mm cooler, 5 mm+ cold).
- Use the right footwear: go barefoot with full-foot fins on smooth sand, switch to open-heel fins with 3–5 mm booties for rocky entries or cooler water, and remember water shoes rarely fit inside full-foot fins.
- Boost safety and visibility with an adjustable-inflation snorkel vest or float belt, high-vis colors, a pea-less whistle, and a surface marker in areas with boat traffic.
- Prevent fog and comfort issues by scrubbing a new mask, using defog before each swim, keeping hair clear of the seal, packing a dry bag with rinse water and a towel, and skipping cotton, dangly jewelry, and oily products under your mask.
Essential Snorkeling Gear
Mask, Snorkel, and Fins, What Each Does
Our mask is our window. Look for tempered glass lenses (clear vision, safe), a soft silicone skirt (better seal), and a low-volume design (easier to clear if water sneaks in). Full-face masks seem tempting, but classic two-piece setups let us clear and equalize more easily and usually fit a wider range of faces.
The snorkel is our air bridge. We like a semi-dry or dry-top snorkel to help block splashes and a purge valve at the bottom for easy clearing. A flexible lower section keeps the mouthpiece sitting comfortably without jaw fatigue.
Fins are our engine. Full-foot fins are simple, great for warm water, and pack light. Open-heel fins pair with booties and shine for rocky entries and cooler temps. Stiffer blades give power: softer blades are easier on calves. For travel, we pick mid-length fins that fit in a carry-on but still move us along without that hamstring “hello.”
Getting the Right Fit for Comfort and Performance
Mask fit is everything. We do the sniff test: place the mask on our face without using the strap, inhale gently through the nose, and let go. If it sticks without leaks or pinches, you’re onto a winner. Straps go just above the ears, not cranked down like a vise. Tight isn’t better: seal is.
For snorkels, the mouthpiece shouldn’t feel like we’re biting a pen cap. If our jaw gets tired in minutes, we switch to a smaller, softer mouthpiece.
Fins should be snug but not toe-crushing. With full-foot fins, we aim for a secure heel with no rub. With open-heel fins, we pair them with booties and dial the strap so a finger slides under: too tight equals blisters, too loose equals lost fins. If we’re kicking hard or covering distance, we add short swim socks for hotspot prevention.
Sun and Thermal Protection
UPF Rash Guards, Swim Leggings, and Reef-Safe Sun Protection
Sun wins every time unless we plan ahead. We wear UPF 50+ long-sleeve rash guards and often add swim leggings. They’re light, quick-drying, and save us from slathering sunscreen on huge areas of skin. Bonus: no stinging eyes. Look for flatlock seams and a slightly snug fit so fabric doesn’t balloon.
For exposed skin, we stick to reef-safe sunscreen: mineral formulas with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. We avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate (many reefs and beaches ban them anyway). Apply 15–20 minutes before hitting the water and reapply after toweling off. And don’t forget sneaky burn zones: back of knees, tops of feet, and the underside of arms.
Wetsuit Thickness and Layering by Water Temperature
Even warm water chills us after 45 minutes. Our loose rule of thumb:
- 80°F/27°C and up: Rash guard + swim trunks/leggings. Maybe a 1 mm top if we run cold.
- 75–80°F (24–27°C): 1–2 mm shorty or separate 1–2 mm top/bottom.
- 70–75°F (21–24°C): 2–3 mm springsuit or full 3 mm.
- 65–70°F (18–21°C): 3/2–4/3 mm full suit, add a hooded vest if needed.
- Below 65°F/18°C: 5 mm+ is more dive territory, but if we’re snorkeling there, we layer a 3 mm shorty over a 3/2.
We also mix and match: a 2 mm neoprene top under a rash guard adds warmth without full-suit bulk. A thin hood or beanie makes a big difference, it’s like putting a lid on your thermos.
Swimwear, Footwear, and Shore Entries
What to Wear Under Wetsuits and Rash Guards
Under a wetsuit, we go simple: snug swimwear or a thin, quick-dry base layer. Board shorts with thick seams can chafe under neoprene and bunch at the waist. For rash guards and leggings, any supportive swimwear works. If we’re prone to hip or underarm rub, a quick swipe of anti-chafe balm is a lifesaver. And we skip cotton, heavy, cold, and it clings like a wet towel.
Water Shoes, Booties, and When to Use Them
For sandy beach entries with full-foot fins, we usually go barefoot. But rocky, urchin-prone, or reefy entries? We use neoprene booties and open-heel fins so we can walk in safely, don fins in knee-deep water, and avoid shredded soles. Water shoes are great for walking and tidepooling, but most won’t fit inside full-foot fins and can loosen the fit.
Our quick take:
- Smooth sand + mellow surf: full-foot fins, no booties.
- Rock/reef entries or cooler water: open-heel fins + 3–5 mm booties.
- Boat days: either setup works: keep shoes or booties on until fins go on, so we don’t slip.
Safety and Visibility Add-Ons
Snorkel Vests, Float Belts, and Buoyancy Aids
We love a snorkel vest for long drifts or when we’re guiding new snorkelers. They inflate just enough to take the edge off fatigue and keep us comfortably face-down. Float belts are another low-profile option if vests feel bulky. If we want full support on the surface, we use a low-profile PFD rated for paddling. The more relaxed we feel, the more we notice the details, like that shy octopus tucked in the coral.
One important bit: buoyancy helps on the surface but can hinder diving down to check something out. We choose adjustable inflation so we can deflate when we want a closer look.
Bright Colors, Whistles, and Surface Markers
High-vis colors, citrus fins, neon rash guards, or a bright snorkel, make us easy to spot in chop. We clip a pea-less whistle to our vest or mask strap for quick signals. In areas with boat traffic, we tow a small surface marker buoy (or use a flag if local rules require). It’s not dramatic, it’s just smart. Being seen is part of what to wear snorkeling when conditions get busy.
Fit, Care, and Packing
Leak-Free Mask, Blister-Free Fins, and Anti-Fog
A new mask often has a factory film that fogs like crazy. We clean ours before the first swim with a dedicated mask scrub or a tiny bit of non-abrasive toothpaste, then rinse well. Before each session, we use a defog (or a drop of baby shampoo diluted with water). Spit works in a pinch, but it’s hit-or-miss and not great for shared gear.
To keep leaks at bay, we tuck hair under a cap or use a silicone mask strap cover to prevent strands from breaking the seal. The strap should sit high and flat. For fins, we break them in with short swims and add thin neoprene socks if hotspots appear. Spring straps on open-heel fins are worth it, fast on/off and less chafing.
Dry Bags, Towels, and What Not to Wear
Our dry bag packing list:
- Mask in its box (lens-down scratches are heartbreaking).
- Fins on top: if space is tight, we nest them.
- Defog, reef-safe sunscreen, and a small fresh-water bottle to rinse our mask.
- Microfiber towel, spare rash guard, and a lightweight wind layer for post-swim chills.
- Compact first-aid basics: bandages, antiseptic wipes, and tweezers for the odd spine or splinter.
What not to wear snorkeling:
- Cotton tees and board shorts with thick seams (heavy, cold, and chafe city).
- Loose jewelry or dangly earrings (snags happen).
- Heavy perfumes or hair oils (they can mess with mask seals and aren’t great for the water).
- Oil-based sunscreens on the face under the mask skirt (hello, leaks and fog). Stick to mineral, let it set, then mask up.
Conclusion
When we think about what to wear snorkeling, we keep it simple: a well-fitted mask, a comfy snorkel, fins that match the entry, and layers that protect us from sun and chill. Add visibility and a touch of buoyancy when conditions or energy demand it, and we’re set for unhurried, curious exploring. Pack light but smart, rinse and care for gear, and upgrade the small things that bug you, blister socks, a better mouthpiece, a brighter top. The ocean’s doing the show. Our job is to be ready, comfortable, and kind to the places we’re lucky to visit.