Snorkeling Fins – How To Choose The Best Model
Good snorkeling fins are essential for an enjoyable and comfortable underwater experience. We started snorkeling more than 10 years ago, and during the years, we tested and used many different models, so now we know what makes a product good or bad. If your fins are too stiff, inefficient, too small, or too big, you can tire easily, and these factors can cause leg cramps, too. In this step-by-step guide, we will explain to you what type of snorkel fins you can find and how to choose the best flippers. Moreover, we give you tips on finding the correct size and show you the best models we recommend.
Why do you need snorkeling fins?
Snorkeling is an easy-to-learn water sport that doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Technically, you can start it only with a snorkel mask! But for the best experience and to be safe in the water, we recommend having full snorkel equipment that includes a good snorkel mask with snorkel tube and fins.
Swimming with fins helps you move in the water using your legs only, freeing your hands. Snorkeling fins make swimming more efficient and facilitate navigation between corals and marine life. They also provide the wearer with some flotation, which helps them stay horizontal and prevents them from getting tired.
Tip: When you go snorkeling, make sure that your gear includes UV protection swim clothing too to protect yourself against harmful sun rays and jellyfish stings.
Five tips for choosing the best snorkeling fins
- models with medium-length blades work best for snorkelers
- choose a fin with flexible yet powerful blades
- the foot pocket needs to provide a snug (not tight, not loose) fit
- wear them with neoprene socks to avoid rubbing
- Buy open-heel fins with adjustable straps if you need them to fit various shoe sizes
Types of snorkel fins
Fins come in two types: closed-foot designs and adjustable open-heel models. Full-foot or closed models are practical for barefoot use in warm water. Open-foot models have a wider foot pocket and an adjustable strap around the heel, making them usable with neoprene boots while diving or in colder water.
Closed foot fins
If you usually snorkel in warm water, a closed-foot fin -also called a full-foot fin- is a perfect choice for you! Most snorkeling fins come with a foot-open-toe design that makes it easy to slip in.
They are lightweight, spare space in luggage, and provide great efficiency. When it comes to sizing, it is important to find a good fit, although open-toe models allow some flexibility. You can also compensate with neoprene snorkel booties if the foot pocket is a bit loose.
Open foot fins
These models (also called open heel types) have an adjustable strap around the heel and are usually made for divers who wear them with neoprene boots. Wearing a bootie gives you thermal protection, which is important when swimming in cold water.
However, diving boots are extra stuff in your package, and open-heel fins are heavier! Using open-foot fins with booties is not effective for surface swimming. The neoprene material of the boot keeps your feet out of the water, making swimming inefficient and tiring.
However, adjustable snorkel fins also provide greater flexibility in sizing. Therefore, they are good if shared with family members or used by kids with growing feet. You can use the open-heel snorkel fin barefoot, too. However, using it with neoprene socks is more comfortable to prevent abrasion.
Split fins vs paddle fins
From both above categories, you can find paddle fins and split fins. Paddle fins are the traditional fins. Splits are divided in the middle. The statistics show that most of the best snorkeling fins are paddle fins with flexible yet powerful blades.
Split fins are suitable for people with weaker legs or joint problems. The split blades offer easy movement without tiring the legs. It is easier to swim with them, but your efficiency will be worse. Therefore, split fins are not suggested in strong currents! Use them in shallow, current-free areas.
How do you choose the right size?
To answer the question what are the best snorkeling fins, we say the ones you feel the most comfortable. Therefore, sizing is an essential factor. But don’t worry, your fin doesn’t need to fit perfectly since the soft rubber foot pockets allow some flexibility. Especially the open toe full foot pocket fin models tend to fit for various sizes making a fin usable for a long time.
No matter which design you choose, closed or open heel snorkel fin, they need to provide a snug but not too tight, not too loose fit. The general practice is that you need to buy the actual shoe size or one size bigger if you would like to use them with 2-3 mm thick neoprene socks, which we strongly recommend to avoid irritation and rubbing.
Tips on how to choose the right size:
- if your fin stays on your heel while trying stand on tiptoe, they are the good size
- when your heel comes out easily, it is big. Try to compensate with neoprene socks!
- if the difference is too big, get smaller size.
- go for bigger size if you feel them instantly tight. A small fin is not only uncomfortable but also can lead to muscle cramp
- see if you have a little space between your heel and the end of the foot pocket. Like when buying a normal shoe, the size is good if you are able to put a small finger in.
- check if the rubber parts are not squeezing your toes
Snorkeling fins and scuba diving fins differences
It is frequently asked whether one can use a diving fin for snorkeling and vice versa. Well, no one will tell you not to go snorkeling with diving fin because it is still better than going without fin, but if you a chance, use snorkel fin only for snorkeling, diving fin for diving.
At first sight, you might not notice a big difference between snorkeling fins and scuba diving fins. But if you look closer, it is easy to understand that they are designed to meet different criteria:
Snorkel Fins
- usually closed full-foot models to wear on barefoot or with thin socks
- lightweight design that makes them easy-to-carry
- soft blades for surface swimming, not powerful enough to use at deeper depths
Diving Fins
- wider open-heel fins are designed to wear with neoprene booties
- thicker and stiffer blades that are efficient underwater but require more power to kick
- heavier and robust design
- blades feature channels and/or split design for easier navigation at great depths
Are travel size short snorkeling fins good?
Almost all snorkel fins are good for traveling, too, thanks to their lightweight design, but there are special travel-size snorkel fins with short, wide blades. But are short fins good for snorkeling? It sounds good that they need less space in your luggage, but in fact, they are not very effective in the water.
The super short blade fins were originally designed for pool training to increase the efficiency of the training. Short swim fins are good for bodyboarding and surfing, but they are not effective in open water where you might need to swim against currents.
With a medium-length snorkeling fin, your kicks get powerful. With a short travel fin, you have to make more movements, which requires more energy. Choose a compact snorkel fin for traveling that is lightweight but has medium-length blades, like the Cressi Palau short fins or US Divers Trek Fins!
Are long fins suitable for snorkeling?
As mentioned above, short fins work well during pool training only but are not powerful enough for snorkeling. But what about long-blade fins? There are unique freediving fins with extra-long blades that might seem a good option for snorkeling because they are incredibly effective, but we don’t recommend them for snorkeling.
The reasons are simple; first of all, while swimming around shallow coral reefs, you need to be careful not to cause damage. A longer fin can break corals easily. Another reason is that long fins are designed for freediving and swimming underwater.
Therefore, they come with stiff blades that provide excellent propulsion when diving deep. However, the more robust, rigid material these fins are made of makes surface swimming hard and tiring. With these in mind, choosing a fin with medium-length blades for snorkeling is best!
Best Snorkeling Fins in 2025
Deciding what fins are the best for snorkeling depends on factors like efficiency, durability, and personal preferences when it comes to design. Based on our personal experience and snorkelers’ reviews, the models below are the best snorkeling fins that offer comfort and excellent propulsion. Moreover, they are compact and easy to carry, so they are perfect for traveling, too.
Cressi Palau Snorkeling Fins
The name Cressi is well-known on the market of snorkeling and diving goods. This Italian company supplies gear for water-sports enthusiast and their products offer high-quality. Cressi flippers are one of the best snorkeling fins available for those who seek compact fins for traveling.
The Cressi Palau SAF (Short Adjustable Fins) are good for various watersport activities including snorkeling, swimming, surfing etc… With adjustable foot pockets this model can accommodate various shapes and sizes and can be worn on barefoot and with footwear too.
Cressi Palau Short Snorkeling Fin
- Soft short blades that are efficient and powerful
- comfortable foot pockets with an adjustable strap for easy donning/doffing
- available from XS to XL and in a wide variety of colors
These short paddle fins will satisfy all needs of casual snorkelers: they are super light, easy to use with short but powerful blades for increased propulsion in the water.
Seaview 180 Topside Snorkel Fins
The company Seaview 180 invented a revolutionary product that combines short paddle fins with a neoprene bootie. The topside fins are walkable and can be used on land and sea. No more rubbing or injuries when walking on rocky shores! Snorkel fins were never so comfortable!
It has a lightweight, compact design that is perfect for traveling. The inserted neoprene bootie keeps the fin afloat, so you won’t lose it if it falls accidentally in the water. It fits like shoes; you just need to slip in and customize the fit with the adjustable Velcro strap.
Seaview 180 Topside Snorkel Fins
- combine the functions of neoprene shoes and fins
- easy-to-use on land and sea
- lightweight design fits easily into a backpack or carry-on luggage
The fit must be tight when dry since the neoprene will expand in the water. High-quality materials like polymer blend base, premium neoprene, and rugged strap ensure durability. If you are looking for a fin for casual snorkeling that is compact and multi-functional, Seaview 180 Topside fins can be a good choice!
Everlasting Snorkel Fins – Cressi Clio
A classic but popular model from Cressi. The Everlasting snorkel fin, also known as Cressi Clio fins, has been on the market for more than 20 years but is still one of the best snorkeling fins available on the market.
These traditional closed-heel fins, with responsive composite blades and special, computer-designed foot pockets, are excellent for snorkeling and swimming. Cressi Clio is available in different colors and a wide range of sizes, from small kids’ sizes to XXL men’s sizes, making it the perfect choice for the whole family.
Cressi CLIO Everlasting Family Fins
- Cressi’s most popular model thanks to high comfort and durability
- responsive composite blades for powerful kicking
- perfect choice for the whole family with a wide variety of sizes
High-quality materials secure durability and maximum comfort. Choose the Everlasting snorkel fin if you want a powerful, truly long-lasting product!
Tip: If you want to buy flippers for children, check out our kid’s snorkel fins recommendations.
Inspired? Pin it!
