Snorkeling?

jumpthewire · 11-01-2011, 02:34 PM

Going snorkeling for the first time in a few weeks.
Need to pick up some gear.

Anyone recommend a decent brand?
(Mask, Fins & Snorkel)

Any other tips/things to purchase?

Thanks!

kyleb350 · 11-01-2011, 02:38 PM

I would rent the gear and see if you enjoy snorkeling first (if that's an option).

jumpthewire · 11-01-2011, 02:39 PM

Good suggestion.

Wasn't sure how common that was (or sanitary)

Nedim · 11-01-2011, 02:41 PM

When I was in Cancun I rented some equipment. It was a blast, the next day I went scuba diving because I loved it so much

carve · 11-01-2011, 03:10 PM

A lot of rental gear sucks pretty bad, and you can get OK snorkeling gear pretty cheap. Unless you're a big pansy or go somewhere where there's nothing to see you'll love it.

Just go to Sports Authroity or similar. Find a mask that fits. To test, hold it against your face, give a quick sniff with your nose and hold your breath. The mask should stick to your face and no air should come in. All else equal, pick the one that offers the wider field of view and lowest profile.

For fins, you want them to fit pretty snug so they don't flop off while you're finning around. Mine are a couple sizes smaller than my shoe size.

I probably paid ~$50 for my gear and have gone on to take the same mask scuba diving (you need heavier duty fins for that though)

Spoolin335 · 11-01-2011, 03:22 PM

Costco usually sells Snorkeling sets when fall hits, check there.
I got my set there for $50.

matthewk · 11-01-2011, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpthewire

Going snorkeling for the first time in a few weeks.
Need to pick up some gear.

Anyone recommend a decent brand?
(Mask, Fins & Snorkel)

Any other tips/things to purchase?

Thanks!

Scuba Pro...

www.bambooreef.com

Gregxi · 11-01-2011, 03:46 PM

It's nice knowing some fat cow wasnt drooling all over year gear, plus depending what beach you go to on the island you always have your gear.

Chances are you like it so much you will want to get SCUBA certified, thats when it gets fun

MadDog · 11-01-2011, 03:50 PM

Funny as hell:

texasmojo · 11-01-2011, 04:29 PM

If your going cheap, stay away from bodyglove. At least get US divers set. Get a submersible snorkel it really helps when there are waves or when you want to go underwater. Try to get a set that has fins that cover your heal. This way you dont get cut. You really dont need expensive equipment unless you are scuba diving but they will rent you that pricey gear. US divers will do just fine. I recommend your local academy store.

carve · 11-01-2011, 05:22 PM

Yeah- I think US Divers is what I have. Nice stuff for the money. My snorkel has a little slotted orange device at the top that is pretty good at keeping splashes out.

Get some anti-fog gel, too.

Quick6EF · 11-01-2011, 05:38 PM

mmmm i like when my rented gear has teeth marks in it

yakev724 · 11-01-2011, 05:52 PM

Mares and Cressi make quality gear for scuba/snorekling but as mentioned above, you absolutely need to try the mask/fins on for fit before buying.

If it's your first time, definitely check out costco. I know they don't always have the sets FS but when they do, it's a nice deal.

I'd probably recommend renting before spending a good bit of cash. I rented the first few times I dived, and only bought up gear after seeing and asking about what other divers had. By then I had a good idea of what I wanted.

KingOfJericho · 11-01-2011, 08:29 PM

I have Cressi mask and snorkel... Nice and comfy

khaye1 · 11-01-2011, 09:19 PM

Grab a $50 us diver set from sports chalet...they should be good enough. Not comfortable putting my mouth in something that's been in other people pie hole.

ToothDoc · 11-01-2011, 11:33 PM

Geez... how do you guys ever use the utensils in restaurants? Get over it. Wash it off in the salt water and use the cheap rentals. If you really like it, then get a set. Plus if you're doing one of those tours where everybody else is renting it, you don't want to look like a brat and have your own set.

jumpthewire · 11-01-2011, 11:43 PM

I think we'll be doing some exploring on our own, so it might be worth just buying our own set.

thetedderbear · 11-05-2011, 09:13 PM

When I was in Hawaii, there was this store, a chain across the island that just rents out snorkels. My family all rented a set for the week, had a blast.

Bobble · 11-07-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetedderbear

When I was in Hawaii, there was this store, a chain across the island that just rents out snorkels. My family all rented a set for the week, had a blast.

I assume you mean Snorkel Bob's, they bend you over big time. If you are going out on a charter they will have gear, first time try their's then if additional time rent. Where exactly are you going.might be able to be more specific as places.

thetedderbear · 11-07-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobble

I assume you mean Snorkel Bob's, they bend you over big time. If you are going out on a charter they will have gear, first time try their's then if additional time rent. Where exactly are you going.might be able to be more specific as places.

Yeah that was it. I wasn't really investigating the prices though, it was what was there, I just shelled out the cash.

BayMoWe335 · 11-07-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadDog

Funny as hell:

LOL

11-01-2011, 02:34 PM	#1
jumpthewire First Lieutenant 26 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2007 silver/grey Z4 3.0si Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Snorkeling? Going snorkeling for the first time in a few weeks. Need to pick up some gear. Anyone recommend a decent brand? (Mask, Fins & Snorkel) Any other tips/things to purchase? Thanks!
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11-01-2011, 02:38 PM	#2
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	I would rent the gear and see if you enjoy snorkeling first (if that's an option).
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11-01-2011, 02:39 PM	#3
jumpthewire First Lieutenant 26 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2007 silver/grey Z4 3.0si Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	Good suggestion. Wasn't sure how common that was (or sanitary)
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11-01-2011, 02:41 PM	#4
Nedim Captain 72 Rep 716 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Des Moines, IA iTrader: (4)	When I was in Cancun I rented some equipment. It was a blast, the next day I went scuba diving because I loved it so much
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11-01-2011, 03:10 PM	#5
carve Major 177 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	A lot of rental gear sucks pretty bad, and you can get OK snorkeling gear pretty cheap. Unless you're a big pansy or go somewhere where there's nothing to see you'll love it. Just go to Sports Authroity or similar. Find a mask that fits. To test, hold it against your face, give a quick sniff with your nose and hold your breath. The mask should stick to your face and no air should come in. All else equal, pick the one that offers the wider field of view and lowest profile. For fins, you want them to fit pretty snug so they don't flop off while you're finning around. Mine are a couple sizes smaller than my shoe size. I probably paid ~$50 for my gear and have gone on to take the same mask scuba diving (you need heavier duty fins for that though)
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11-01-2011, 03:22 PM	#6
Spoolin335 Justin Herass 333 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: X6M / M3 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada iTrader: (7) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2012 Audi TTRS [10.00] 2012 BMW X6M [9.00] 2007 BMW 335i [9.00]	Costco usually sells Snorkeling sets when fall hits, check there. I got my set there for $50. __________________
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11-01-2011, 03:46 PM	#8
Gregxi First Lieutenant 64 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 2014 535xi Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	It's nice knowing some fat cow wasnt drooling all over year gear, plus depending what beach you go to on the island you always have your gear. Chances are you like it so much you will want to get SCUBA certified, thats when it gets fun
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11-01-2011, 03:50 PM	#9
MadDog Careful, I Bite..... 153 Rep 504 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: S.F. Bay Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [7.50]	Funny as hell:
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11-01-2011, 04:29 PM	#10
texasmojo Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 223 Posts Drives: 2008 128i automatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: DFW Texas, USA iTrader: (0)	If your going cheap, stay away from bodyglove. At least get US divers set. Get a submersible snorkel it really helps when there are waves or when you want to go underwater. Try to get a set that has fins that cover your heal. This way you dont get cut. You really dont need expensive equipment unless you are scuba diving but they will rent you that pricey gear. US divers will do just fine. I recommend your local academy store. __________________
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11-01-2011, 05:22 PM	#11
carve Major 177 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	Yeah- I think US Divers is what I have. Nice stuff for the money. My snorkel has a little slotted orange device at the top that is pretty good at keeping splashes out. Get some anti-fog gel, too.
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11-01-2011, 05:38 PM	#12
Quick6EF Lieutenant 84 Rep 489 Posts Drives: E92 Space Gray Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	mmmm i like when my rented gear has teeth marks in it __________________
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11-01-2011, 05:52 PM	#13
yakev724 Brigadier General 231 Rep 3,561 Posts Drives: 15 S3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (49)	Mares and Cressi make quality gear for scuba/snorekling but as mentioned above, you absolutely need to try the mask/fins on for fit before buying. If it's your first time, definitely check out costco. I know they don't always have the sets FS but when they do, it's a nice deal. I'd probably recommend renting before spending a good bit of cash. I rented the first few times I dived, and only bought up gear after seeing and asking about what other divers had. By then I had a good idea of what I wanted.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-01-2011, 08:29 PM	#14
KingOfJericho Major General 2452 Rep 7,341 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [5.26]	I have Cressi mask and snorkel... Nice and comfy __________________ The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude Hemi \| 2010 S4 Sold \| 2010 BMW 135i Retired \| 2006 Lotus Exige Sold
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11-01-2011, 09:19 PM	#15
khaye1 Colonel 145 Rep 2,809 Posts Drives: 18 AW F80 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (8)	Grab a $50 us diver set from sports chalet...they should be good enough. Not comfortable putting my mouth in something that's been in other people pie hole. __________________
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11-01-2011, 11:33 PM	#16
ToothDoc Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 241 Posts Drives: 997.2 TTS, CLA 45 AMG Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	Geez... how do you guys ever use the utensils in restaurants? Get over it. Wash it off in the salt water and use the cheap rentals. If you really like it, then get a set. Plus if you're doing one of those tours where everybody else is renting it, you don't want to look like a brat and have your own set.
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11-01-2011, 11:43 PM	#17
jumpthewire First Lieutenant 26 Rep 316 Posts Drives: 2007 silver/grey Z4 3.0si Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I think we'll be doing some exploring on our own, so it might be worth just buying our own set.
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11-05-2011, 09:13 PM	#18
thetedderbear Captain 73 Rep 632 Posts Drives: Fiesta ST Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Arkansas iTrader: (1)	When I was in Hawaii, there was this store, a chain across the island that just rents out snorkels. My family all rented a set for the week, had a blast.
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