Top Kids Snorkelling Equipment for Safe & Fun Undersea Adventures

Here at Watersports Warehouse, we’re almost as keen on snorkelling as we are on diving. Often, the best underwater sights are close to the surface rather than at depth. What’s more, snorkelling is open to anyone of any age and experience level and is far less equipment intensive than diving. Just swim out from the shore or jump off the boat and you can immediately be swimming amongst beautiful coral and marine life, whether abroad or in the UK.

Snorkelling is one of the most exciting water activities. Even without advanced swimming skills, people of different age groups get to marvel at mesmerizing underwater sights and enjoy the relaxing effect of this water sport.

The RNLI stresses the preventability of accidents in the water and advocates the use of high-quality kids’ snorkelling gear to significantly diminish risks. They go on to say that Snorkelling gear should be made of the finest materials and designed purposefully, and used correctly, to ensure comfort and safety.

What to Consider When Buying Snorkelling Gear for Kids

While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices when purchasing snorkelling gear for kids. Of course, the core basics required for snorkelling are a good quality silicone mask, snorkel with silicone mouthpiece and potentially a comfortable well-fitting pair of snorkelling fins – all suitable for younger snorkellers. For over 35 years we have personally selected all the snorkelling gear we stock, not sure what you are wanting just put our knowledge and experience to the test.

 

Junior Snorkelling Masks

Snorkelling Masks typically come in twin lens and single-lens designs – choose one with tempered glass lenses and with quality soft silicone skirt. The primary function of a snorkelling mask is to create an air-tight barrier between the face and water which therefore enables you to see underwater, and with the nose enclosed in the mask and by using a snorkel, you can breathe naturally with your face in the water.

When buying a snorkelling mask look for a quality product from a leading snorkelling and diving mask manufacturer and if you’re unsure what to look for speak with someone who has in-depth knowledge of their product range and can answer any and all of your questions.

A snorkelling mask should create a comfortable seal on the skin. To check a mask for fit put the mask on your child’s face, without using the straps, place the mask on the face, a standard snorkelling mask should cover the nose and above the upper lip, and the mask in place against the face. Your youngster then needs to take a sniff – by sniffing the air out of the mask this creates a vacuum and the mask’s silicone skirt should ‘stick’ briefly to the face, you may need to hold the mask in place a little to ensure the mask doesn’t drop on the floor.

There is now a choice of snorkelling mask : regular/traditional masks and full-face snorkelling masks. Traditional snorkelling masks provide coverage around the face - forehead to just under the nose.  A full-face snorkelling mask covers the entire face – just under the hairline to chin and are constructed with an integrated ‘dry’ snorkel. It is generally personal choice what you prefer and what you feel is best for your youngster.  For many children a full-face snorkelling mask, which has a larger design, can be a great way to introduce them to the wonders of the underwater.

 

Cressi Marea Junior Mask & Snorkel Set:
The Cressi Marea Mask & Top Snorkel Combo kids Snorkelling Set is a superb quality silicone mask and snorkel set for kids which includes the Cressi Marea Children's Mask and Cressi Top Junior Snorkel. The Cressi Top snorkel for junior snorkellers has a silicone mouthpiece and a semi-dry splash guard. Clearing water is made easy with the one-way drain valve. Shop Now

 

Cressi Baron JUNIOR Dry Full Face Snorkel Mask:
The Cressi Baron Full Face Snorkel Mask features a dry top snorkel, a wide breathing area covering the nose and mouth, and Cressi's unique breathing deflector mechanism to maximize air circulation and eliminate fogging. The mask provides a 30% larger viewing area compared to many other full-face masks and offers a 180-degree field of vision. Shop Now

 

Kids Snorkels: 

Using a snorkel allows the user to breathe naturally when they are face down in the water – combined with the use of a snorkelling mask.  Holding the snorkel in the mouth and breathing naturally as the top of the snorkel remains above the water line. The best snorkels will feature a silicone mouthpiece, perfectly junior sized, and the breathing tube will be the appropriate diameter to allow air to flow naturally as your youngster inhales/exhales.  Snorkels can be designed with either a ‘dry’ top or a semi-dry top. A dry top snorkel will feature a valve-type mechanism to minimise water entry when snorkelling below the surface while a semi-dry snorkel will feature a splash guard to deflect water away from the main part of the tube while on the water surface.  In each case these snorkels will usually also feature a purge valve below the mouthpiece area of the snorkel to help easily and more expel water from the bottom of the breathing tube.

Mares Gator Splash Semi-Dry Snorkel for Kids:

The Mares Gator Splash Junior snorkel is created specifically to allow young children to breathe easily while snorkelling. The Semi Dry protection on the top helps stop water from splashing into the snorkel. This snorkel is made with premium quality materials. with a sliding snorkel holder system.  Shop Now

 

Kids Cressi Mini Dry Snorkel:
If your youngster wants to duck dive below the surface, the Cressi Mini Dry Snorkel has an internal mechanism that closes the top of the tube as you dive down, reducing the likelihood of water entering the snorkel. It has a compact, soft silicone mouthpiece angled for optimum position in the mouth and features a purge valve exhaust to purge any excess water more easily. The corrugated flexible section ensures the snorkel can be positioned in the mouth for improved comfort and will fall out of the way when not in use. Shop Now

 

Snorkelling Fins

Wearing Snorkelling fins help you to move more freely in the water, minimal effort for maximum power, and help provide a more efficient body position. Although it’s not about speed, wearing fins give you more control and time to stop and see what lies beneath and of course help if you encounter currents in the water. 

Snorkelling fins should be designed with length appropriate fin blades, lightweight and reasonably flexible, using appropriate materials and designed for the use of snorkelling by children. As a result, always consider children’s snorkelling fins from a manufacturer specialising in producing snorkelling or diving gear.

Snorkelling fins are generally offered in two different styles – full foot/shoe type fins and open heel/strapped fins. 

Full foot fins will often feel more secure as the whole of the foot is enclosed in the foot pocket of the fin.  Many of the leading brands specialising in children’s snorkelling gear will produce fins which feature quality, pliable materials for improved comfort.  Full foot fins often span a slightly smaller range of foot/shoe sizes.  It may be feasible to wear a neoprene sock which may help the fin fit a little better and of course this will provide additional thermal protection.

Open-heel snorkelling fins featuring adjustable straps are generally worn without footwear but again if fit/space allows may be worn with a neoprene sock or very light neoprene shoe.  Open heel fins feature an adjustable strap which can be a little fiddly for youngsters to deal with and should be worn tight to prevent the strap from slipping during use. Adjustable snorkelling fins tend to span a slightly larger foot size range which gives scope for some growing room.

 

Mares X-One Kids Adjustable Snorkelling Fins:
The Mares X-One snorkelling fins from Mares are both short and lightweight, ideal for the complete snorkelling beginner and perfect for travel. The X-One Junior snorkel fins have an open heel equipped with a buckle/clip-free easily adjustable heel strap to allow for some growing room. This bungee-style strap is soft and flexible for a comfortable snorkelling experience & designed to be worn barefoot. Shop Now

 

Kids Water Accessories

If your youngster lacks water confidence you may wish to consider they wear an inflatable snorkelling vest or even a buoyancy aid. Wearing one of these will provide buoyancy and allow them to stay on the water surface. By relaxing and feeling more comfortable and confident your youngster will gain more enjoyment from their snorkelling experience

Kids Tusa Reeftourer Snorkelling Vest:
The TUSA Children's Snorkelling Vest is ideal for cautious or nervous snorkellers. This junior vest is suitable for kids under v. approx 10-12 years. Shop Now

 

Reefwear Sport 50N Junior Buoyancy Aid:
This superb ISO approved 50N multisport Junior Buoyancy Aid is suitable for most youngsters, depending on size, from around v approx. age 7-9yrs through to v. approx. 11-12yrs. Shop Now

 

Kids Snorkelling UV Protection:

Kids’ swimwear protects your child from stingers and other irritants in the water. Depending on where you plan to snorkel, you can choose between a simple rash guard or a full wetsuit. When temperatures are cold, a wetsuit will keep your child warm by trapping a layer of water inside the garment. This will then be heated up naturally by the body and serve as insulation against the cold.

Meanwhile, rash guards are more breathable swimsuits perfect for warmer temperatures. They also come in different lengths for varying levels of coverage. Rash guards and wetsuits may also be constructed with special materials that provide ultra-violet protection.

C-Skins Rash X Junior UV50 Short Sleeve Rash Vest:
A typical summer T-shirt only gives around 7-15% UV protection, which is greatly reduced when wet. This C-Skins rash top is made of U.P.F 50+ material, ensuring harmful rays will be kept away from your skin while maintaining movement thanks to the Xtend 4-way directional stretch material. Shop Now

Gul Junior Girls UV50 Rash Vest Short Sleeve:
Made with Gul's I-Flex fabric, this vest produces a quality, comfortable rash top for wearing next to the skin. It’s ideal as a boost to your usual sun protection regime and is particularly popular worn as a comfortable base layer under a wetsuit, helping your wetsuit to 'slip' on more easily.

Gul Response 3/2mm Junior Shortie Wetsuit - Navy Lime:
The Gul Response 3/2mm thick double-lined neoprene wetsuit features X-Flex super stretch neoprene panels and flatlock stitched seam construction, producing a flexible and comfortable wetsuit ideal for a variety of water sport activities from surfing and snorkelling to stand-up paddling, bodyboarding, and potentially swimming. Shop Now

Gul Response 3/2mm Junior Wetsuit - Jet Teal:
The Gul Response 3/2mm neoprene wetsuit is a great multisport summer wetsuit engineered to produce performance at a great price. The Gul Response Steamer is ideal for numerous summer water sports and meets all the requirements for the all-round enthusiast in a great unisex design. Shop Now

Snorkelling is a wonderful way to explore the underwater world, and with the right gear, it can be a safe and enjoyable experience for kids. Equip your child with the best snorkelling gear this summer and watch them discover the magic beneath the waves with Watersports Warehouse.