10 Best Snorkel Fins for Travel (2021 Guide)
This giant buying guide will help you decide on the best snorkel fins for travel. Don’t get tired out or blisters that ruin your holiday. Pre-buy snorkeling fins to ensure you have the best trip ever!
CONTENTS OF BEST FINS FOR TRAVEL
Snorkeling is undoubtedly an incredible experience, where the scenery and sensations make for a veritable sensory smorgasbord and a phenomenal adventure component to your travels. You have the freedom to explore colorful plant life, or perhaps swim towards deeper water and ogle at mighty marine animals. Or simply stationary swim and see what comes your way. But do you notice what all these options have in common? Swimming!
More often than not, you won’t simply be tossed into the water to drift wherever the ocean decides and then picked up at the end. You need some control to go explore what you want, dive under the waves to take a closer look, and exit the water at the safest location. Snorkel fins are your one-way ticket to this control, and you can take it from me, the power and control that fins offer can be the deciding factor between a serious snorkeler and the also-rans.
Hey, do you want to compare snorkel sets with a mask, fins and snorkel? Then check out our huge snorkel set guide, it will also help you choose the right snorkel gear for you!
THE BEST SNORKEL FINS: Cressi Pluma
Don’t have time to read the entire snorkel flippers guide? My pick for the best snorkel fins overall is the Cressi Pluma. Cressi is a snorkel set favorite of mine, and I’ll tell you why!
Cressi totally nailed it in their proprietary polypropylene construction. The fin body is super lightweight, but very durable and strong. It is one of the lightest set of full fins on the market.
The Cressi Pluma snorkel fins are a seriously good price for how well-made they are, placing it in the top for value for money, quality and lightweight.
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZONBecause I want to see you become the awesome snorkeler I know you can be, I’ve compiled my top consideration points when it comes to picking the best snorkel fins. We’ll cover everything from size and type to efficiency, in order to give you all the information you could possibly need!
I’m also unabashedly a Cressi gear lover and I just have to share what they can offer. I’ll cover my personal favorite travel snorkel fins as well as take you through my overall picks of the best snorkeling flippers on the market. By the end, my hope is that all this snorkel gear talk will jumpstart your process and get you on the winning track for your trip!
The Best Snorkeling Fins Comparison Chart
If you’re on the clock and don’t have time to read the whole thing, take a quick squint at the table below for the lowdown!
| SNORKEL FINS | NAME | HEEL TYPE | BODY TYPE | LENGTH | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Cressi Pluma | Closed | Solid | Full |  Best Travel Fins | |
 | U.S. Divers Proflex | Open | Vented | Full |  Most Lightweight Fins | |
  | Atomic Aquatics | Open | Split | Full |  | |
  | Oceanic Vortex | Closed | Split | Full | | |
  | Aqua Lung Express | Closed | Solid | Full |  Best Snorkel & Scuba Fins | |
  | ScubaPro GO | Open | Solid | Medium | | |
  | Cressi Palau | Open | Solid | Medium | Best Beginner Fins | |
  | Seavenger Torpedo | Open | Solid | Short | Best Short Fins | |
  | U.S. Divers Trek | Open | Solid | Short |  | |
  | Cressi Reaction Pro | Closed | Solid | Full | |
Do You Need Fins to Snorkel?
“Do I need flippers to snorkel?” is a common question for newbies. So, let me put it this way, YES! Snorkel fins are key when it comes to a successful water adventure, for both your fun and safety!
So, let’s cover the fun aspect first. The incredible amount of power and control that the best snorkel flippers offer you means almost nothing is out of your reach. See a beautiful coral formation over there? Well now you can easily kick yourself over there in just a jiffy to check it out, instead of kicking without fins, and kicking, and getting exhausted, and then kicking some more to get to that same spot!
In the safety department, that same power and control that you can use to see anything and everything you want can also be used to steer clear of potential hazards. Say, for example, a powerful current suddenly got ahold of you and started yanking you further out to sea. Wouldn’t you much rather have the power to easily swim back to where you want instead of thrashing with bare feet? I know I would!
So next time you catch yourself wondering “do you need flippers to snorkel?” just refer back to this guide to help you select the best fin for snorkeling.
What to Consider when Looking for the Best Snorkel Fins
🦶 Heel Construction
The first crossroads that you’ll likely encounter when comparing fins is the closed vs. open heel design. Closed heels essentially sport a slip-on slipper design, where all you have to do is slide your foot in and jump in the water. On the opposite side is the open design where the back of the fin is just an open hole with an adjustable strap behind it. You, therefore, slide your foot into the hole and secure the strap behind your heel to secure the fin nice and snugly to your foot.
While these two types do not typically affect the fin’s swimming power, they do have some sway on the overall weight of your fins and your personal comfort. If, for example, you’re preparing to travel to a colder stretch of water and are planning on wearing neoprene water booties for snorkeling, then the open heel design should be your focus as they have more space and adjustability.
Another point I should mention from personal experience is that if you plan on scrambling over sharp volcanic rock or coral to get to your water entry point, then a pair of these water booties is a massive plus to protect your feet! Consequently, you’ll probably want to focus on open-heeled fins.
In the travel department, however, we like to focus more on minimizing bulkiness and weight, right? In that case, the closed design produces some of the best snorkeling fins for travel as they are a little bit lighter and eliminate the extra bulk of having to pack water booties as they are geared towards the barefoot approach.
🐠 Split vs. Solid
Moving to the other end of the fin, we come to the split vs solid fin question. The difference is thankfully straightforward, where the solid fin sports continuous material, whereas the split design has a slit in the middle that travels from the forward edge back and essentially divides your fin into two freely moving parts.
I personally prefer the split fin design as it takes less energy to get up to speed underwater. These fins need short but fast kicks for optimal function, and that suits my swimming style perfectly!
On the other hand, for you folks out there who prefer larger and more powerful kicks, then the solid design is more for you. I’ve also noticed that the solid snorkel fins make maneuvering and tight turns much easier. So, consider your swimming type and pick the design that will work best for you!
📏 Length
Do you know those stubby little fins that you sometimes see snorkelers trying out? This is where we talk about travel fins vs regular fins. Now, I’m going
The longer snorkel fins offer you prime control over your snorkeling endeavors and definitely make their bigger design worth it. Yet again, it’s up to you to pick the fins that will work best for your needs, and I’ll be sure to cover one or two of the shorter fin types in my roundup below!
🛀 Comfort
As always, please please please remember to make comfort a primary concern! All the power and control that a fin could possibly offer you is worth diddly-squat when it makes your feet throb after just a few minutes!
The best snorkel fins for travel will, therefore, be very comfy for your booted or unbooted feet, support your type of swimming, and be the proper length for the amount of power that you need/expect. So, let’s now dive into my list of the best snorkel fins and find just the right pair for you!
🐟 How to Put on Snorkel Fins
The easiest and safest way to put your new fins on is by getting as close as possible to the water, then turning around to face the shore and walking backward. Walking backward into the water ensures you don’t trip over the floppy flippers.
💡 When you buy snorkel fins online, it’s hard to know which ones will be comfortable and fit you well. We recommend you buy your pair as early as possible, leaving at least a few months before you leave on your trip. This is so that if you receive them and realize they aren’t the right fit, there’s ample time to return them and buy another pair!
The Best Snorkel Fin Reviews
Now that we’ve covered the details of what to look for, it’s time to put it all together and take a look at a few of the best flippers for snorkeling on the market, and hopefully, you can find the ideal one through one of our snorkeling fins reviews!
THE BEST TRAVEL SNORKEL FINS
Cressi Pluma Pocket Fins Review
As I warned you ahead of time, Cressi is my personal favorite brand. I just couldn’t stop myself from leading with the Cressi Pluma snorkel fin in this best snorkeling fins review.
This particular pair of travel snorkeling fins is aimed squarely at lightweight and responsiveness, which Cressi nailed in their proprietary polypropylene construction. The fin body is nice and lightweight, yet I never have to worry about it breaking, as it is also incredibly strong. This strength makes for a nice rebound while kicking underwater, which in turn makes them a breeze to use and power through the waves.
The Pluma utilizes a closed-foot design. They’re in their prime in nice warm environments where you don’t have to worry about wearing cold weather boots. The overall low-weight design also makes them a prime choice for travel snorkel fins.
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Closed
Body Type: Solid
Length: Full
Weight: 3 lbs (1.3 kg)
Scuba Diving: Recommended for free diving and snorkeling only
Color: Blue, Pink, Black, Yellow
Pros
✔ Lightweight for a full-sized fin
✔ Durable design
Cons
✖ A large size (bulky)
Pair These Fins With
🐠 Cressi Transparent Mask & Snorkel
🐠 Phantom Aquatics Voda Full Face Snorkeling Mask
THE BEST LIGHTWEIGHT SNORKEL FINS
U.S. Divers Proflex FX Snorkel Fin Review
The Proflex throws a twist into the typical long-blade fin design by adding dual vents on each fin. These vents are designed to ease the water-resistance strain from kicking while boosting the overall efficiency of your kick. In that sense, I find it easier to think of them as hybrid split-fins, and they sure do a phenomenal job.
The blade seems to flex in just the right spots, while the vents take just enough strain off, to give you the maximum power and control you need for a successful snorkeling trip. The open-heel design also makes this pair compatible with some neoprene boots if you’re heading in that direction. With these open heel fins coming in at a weight of 450 grams these win the lightweight fins for travel competition.
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Open
Body Type: Vented
Length: Full
Weight: 1 lb (450 g)
Scuba Diving: Yes
Color: Blue, Grey, Black, Electric Blue
Pros
✔ Lower resistance while swimming
✔ Open heel design
Cons
✖ Large for travel
Buy These Fins in a Set
🐠 U.S. Divers Cozumel Snorkeling Set
Atomic Aquatics Split Fins Review
In the split-fin department, I don’t believe you could possibly go wrong with Atomic Aquatics. This company has invested heavily in making scientifically and ergonomically exceptional fins. They make some of the best split fins on the market. As a split-fin lover, I am obsessed with their design which makes it super easy to slot them into this flippers review.
From the strong and durable hinge points and power rails all the way to the super comfortable foot pocket, these fins will make you the hot knife to the ocean’s butter. Part of their incredible performance is due to their large surface area, however, and they are therefore not the most compact snorkel fins for traveling, but they sure do pack a punch. These are one of the best split fins for snorkeling and the best travel fins for diving.
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Open
Body Type: Split
Length: Full
Weight: 5.4 lbs (2.4 kg)
Scuba Diving: Yes
Color: Black/Smoke, Blue, Pink, Black, Yellow, Purple, Aqua, Red, Silver
Pros
✔ Very efficient
✔ Comfortable
Cons
✖ Very expensive
✖ Large for travel
Pair These Fins With
🐠 Atomic Aquatics Venom Anti-Reflective Mask
🐠 Atomic Aquatics SV2 Flex Snorkel
Oceanic Vortex V-6 Snorkeling Fin Review
Another powerful performer in the split-fin world is these Vortex fins from Oceanic. I like these because they provide excellent swimming power and support but are a tad shorter than the Atomic Aquatics version covered above.
The full-foot pocket design makes these closed heel fins attractive by eliminating any need for extra neoprene socks or boots – just slip ‘em on and go! Just remember, the split fin design is aimed at a specific type of swimming and supports short and fast kicks. The smaller design of these fins, therefore, highlights the need to stick to this swimming method, as there is less room for error. Be sure these fins will fit your style before purchasing!
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Closed
Body Type: Split
Length: Full
Weight: 2 lbs (900 g)
Scuba Diving: Yes
Color: Black
Pros
✔ Low foot and leg strain
✔ Smaller than other full-sized split fins
Cons
✖ Harder to maneuver than solid fins
Pair These Fins With
🐠 Oceanic Shadow Frameless Dive Mask
🐠 Oceanic Ultra-Dry 2 Snorkel
BEST FINS FOR SNORKELING AND DIVING
Aqua Lung Express Full Foot Diving Fin Review
If you are after a set of full foot snorkel fins, then I recommend Aqua Lung, they have been a top dog in the snorkeling and scuba world for quite some time and I have personally used many of their products during my travels. Their Express snorkeling fins easily follow their reputation of quality gear, with excellent flex and ergonomic closed foot design for seamless ocean viewing.
These solid, full-length, full foot Aqua Lung snorkeling fins provide a very powerful force in the water and make it easy to maneuver wherever you want to go. There is also a very handy flex joint built into the foot area to give your kicks just a little bit more oomph! These babies are hands down some of the best full foot snorkeling fins and best scuba fins on the market, great to double up as a snorkel/dive combo.
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Closed
Body Type: Solid
Length: Full
Weight: 4.7 lbs (2.1 kg)
Scuba Diving: Yes
Color: Black, Black/Blue, Black/Orange, Black/Silver, Blue/White, White Arctic, Yellow
Pros
✔ Very powerful strokes
✔ Excellent flex for improved performance
Cons
✖ Large for travel
✖ Heavy
Pair These Fins With
🐠 Aqua Lung Infinity Mask
🐠 Aqua Lung Impulse 3 2-Valve Flex Snorkel
ScubaPro GO Travel Fins Review
Looking for the best diving fins for travel? If the full-length fins I’ve covered so far look just a little too bulky for your travels, then the ScubaPro GO may be the perfect fit for you! These fins provide a much more compact take on the designs we’ve covered so far, and as far as shorter fins go, I’m very impressed by their comfort and power in the water.
While they definitely won’t give you the same amount of underwater horsepower (is that seahorse power?) as the Proflex or Pluma, they still provide ample control to keep you on course. These are definitely some of the best travel fins for snorkeling on the market.
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Open
Body Type: Solid
Length: Medium
Weight: 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg)
Scuba Diving: Yes
Color: Black, White
Pros
✔ Midrange between short and full-sized
✔ Comfortable
✔ Easier to pack for travel
Cons
✖ A little expensive for mid-sized fin
✖ Lower power
BEST SNORKEL FINS FOR BEGINNERS
Cressi Palau Short Adjustable Snorkel Fins Review
Cressi once again works their way into my list for the best fins for travel with their Palau. These Cressi Palau short snorkeling fins are designed almost exclusively for the wandering snorkelers amongst us, with a shorter, yet responsive design.
The open-heel approach for this shoe adds to the travel allure by making them compatible with any neoprene boots you may be wearing, but Cressi also made this design comfortable for bare feet. You can buy these snorkel fins for warm or cold conditions and they’ll still fit your foot regardless of any additional protective gear! That’s a definite plus in my book. These are also some of the best snorkel fins for beginners looking for lightweight flippers to get used to the water before upgrading.
These fins are definitely shorter than the average fins I covered earlier, making them an excellent pair of travel swim fins, but they’re still not the most compact fins on the market. However, if you are looking for cheap snorkel fins then these are one of the cheapest!
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Open
Body Type: Solid
Length: Medium
Weight: 2.4 lbs (1.1 kg)
Scuba Diving: Yes. Designed for snorkeling, scuba diving and long swims.
Color: Blue, Black, Yellow, Black/Pink, Blue/Azure, Black/Yellow
Pros
✔ Less expensive than similar options
✔ Mid-range size for travel
Cons
✖ Lower power
Buy These Fins in a Set
🐠 Cressi Palau SAF Premium Light Weight Travel Snorkel Set
THE BEST SHORT FINS FOR SNORKELING
Seavenger Torpedo Flippers with Gear Bag Review
The Seavenger Torpedo is built for the traveler who wants their travel size snorkel fins to last forever. They are built from a very durable material that is sure to last through all your snorkeling adventures from start to finish.
But more importantly, these travel flippers for snorkeling are built small. The Seavenger Torpedos are the best short snorkel fins. They are exceptionally compact, which makes it easy to slip them into a bag for travel without taking up too much space. Although these are the best short flippers for snorkeling, just remember – you’re sacrificing power for portability, so plan your trip accordingly! They are also one of the cheap snorkel fins options out there.
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Open
Body Type: Solid
Length: Short
Weight: 2 lbs (900 g)
Scuba Diving: Recommended for snorkeling and swimming only
Color: Blue, Black, Dodger Blue, Gray/Black, Orange, Red, Yellow
Pros
✔ Easily packable
✔ Lightweight
Cons
✖ Little power
Buy These Fins in a Set
🐠 Seavenger Aviator Snorkeling Set with Gear Bag
U.S. Divers Trek Compact Travel Snorkel Fins Review
My last entry in the world of short snorkeling fins comes in the form of these teeny-tiny divers trek travel fins from U.S. Divers. For those of you out there who absolutely want to travel with your own set of fins but have just about no space to squeeze them in, the Divers Trek travel fins are the best snorkel fins for travel in your case.
The very small design means you can slip them into just about any bag, even a carry-on! Then no matter where your travels take you, you’ll always have at least some extra drive in the water.
This extra drive, however, is very small when compared to larger surface-area fins on the market. I can therefore only recommend these travel diving fins for more confined water dives, such as in bays or coves. If you’re heading out to see reefs in the open ocean, I recommend you aim for some larger fins to make sure you have enough control – remember the safety aspects we talked about earlier!
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Open
Body Type: Solid
Length: Short
Weight: 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg)
Scuba Diving: Yes
Color: Black, Blue, Yellow
Pros
✔ Very small for travel
✔ Inexpensive
Cons
✖ Very little power
Buy These Fins in a Set
🐠 U.S. Divers Admiral Snorkeling Set with Snorkeling Gear Bag
Cressi Reaction Pro Snorkel Fin Review
I just couldn’t leave off without throwing yet another Cressi product on the table, and these particular fins fit perfectly with the scenario in our last pair. Just what pair are the best fins for snorkeling out in the open ocean, perhaps on a reef? Well, I’m bound to reply that the Cressi Reaction Pro is the answer.
These full-sized fins feature a much stiffer material that gives your kicks much more snap and power, making them the ideal choice for stiff ocean currents or a little wave action. The closed foot design is also very comfortable for long duration wear and I wholeheartedly recommend these fins for potentially tough swimming conditions. As an added bonus, if you decided to move from snorkeling to scuba diving, these fins will perform perfectly for that activity too! One of the best travel fins for diving.
Tech & Specs
Heel Type: Closed
Body Type: Solid
Length: Full
Weight: 4.8 lbs (2.2 kg)
Scuba Diving: Yes
Color: Blue, Black, Yellow
Pros
✔ Excellent power and control
✔ Durable design
Cons
✖ A large size (bulky)
✖ On the expensive side
✖ Very heavy
Buy These Fins in a Set
🐠 Cressi Reaction EBS Adjustable Mask with Reaction Fins and Dry Snorkel Gear Set
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THESE SNORKEL FLIPPERS?
If you have a question about the products just let me know and I’ll try my best to answer them! I totally get that it can be difficult to find the best snorkel fins for your foot’s needs.
And that’s it, everyone! You’ve seen my top choices for the best snorkel fins 2021, and also my top tips on how to choose the best travel flippers for your trip. So, grab yourself some fins and dive in!
Have fun and stay safe, eh?
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Crystal Egan
Passionate baby goat cuddler and part-time adventurer, Crystal can often be found doing headstands on the edges of cliffs, taking photos of abandoned buildings or sleeping on deserted islands with dangerous criminals. She has too many awesome stories and helpful tips to keep them all to herself so follow along and in return she will bring you inspiring pictures, travel videos and a whole load of fun!
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