Anyone new to snorkeling or SCUBA is likely to come across many references to dry snorkels. In fact, they seem to be very popular among novice and veteran adventurers alike! But what’s the difference between a wet vs. dry snorkel? What exactly makes a dry snorkel “dry”?
A dry snorkel has a special mechanism called a float valve in the tube of the snorkel. The float valve seals the snorkel tube if it becomes completely submerged. This might happen if you take a dive or a large wave rolls over you.
Why is this feature important? The float valve means you won’t ever have to clear the snorkel tube because water won’t be able to get inside it (hence “dry”). As a result, dry snorkels are a popular choice for beginners and anyone who has difficulty with the technique of clearing water from the snorkel tube.
Wet vs. dry snorkel differences
For folks new to snorkeling, these names can be confusing (all snorkels get “wet” after all!) Worse, there seems to be some misconception that “dry” means you can dive down with a dry snorkel and still breathe. This is not true! You cannot breathe underwater with a dry snorkel if the snorkel is completely submerged. There is simply not enough air trapped in the tube for you to breathe with!
The point of the dry snorkel is to maximize your comfort at the surface by preventing any water from getting inside the tube. Many snorkelers, especially newbies, tilt their heads in ways that can accidentally submerge the snorkel. Feeling water get in your mouth from a stray wave can also feel quite scary if you’re not used to it!
The invention of the dry snorkel means snorkeling has become accessible to more people with different abilities and comfort levels. That means the dry snorkel’s design is quite different from a more traditional wet or “classic” snorkel. The key differences are the float valve (of course), the presence of comfort features, and the size of the snorkel tube.
How does a dry snorkel work? The float valve!
Though the specifics vary across brands and models, all dry valves use buoyancy to open and close the snorkel opening. A buoyant material of some kind is attached to a hinge mechanism that pushes a flap over the dry snorkel’s opening. If the top of the snorkel is submerged, the float mechanism will rise up to close the opening. At the surface, the mechanism opens again, allowing you to start breathing immediately, no clearing necessary!
In contrast, a classic wet snorkel has a much simpler design. In its most minimal form, a wet snorkel is only a silicone mouthpiece solidly attached to a J-shaped tube.
The compromise between the classic wet vs. dry snorkel is the semi-dry snorkel. Semi-dry snorkels will often be nearly identical to dry snorkels in having splash guards, flex tubes, and purge valves. They just won’t have a float valve. Some wet snorkels will also have a flexible tube and a purge valve, though these features are more common on dry and semi-dry snorkels.
Wet vs. dry snorkel comfort features
Because dry snorkels are designed for beginners, they also have many features to increase the snorkeler’s comfort. These include flexible tubes, purge valves, and splash guards.
Flex tube
Most dry and semi-dry snorkels will have a flexible tube, but even some wet snorkels have them too. The main advantage of flex tubes is that they give you the freedom to adjust the positioning of the mouthpiece, which makes for a more comfortable fit. The mouthpiece will also fall away from your face when it’s not in your mouth. Some folks appreciate this, while others may find the dangling mouthpiece annoying. The only case where a flex tube is a must-have is if you’re using the snorkel during SCUBA activity. In this case, you’ll need the mouthpiece out of your way when using your regulator.
Purge valve
Most dry and semi-dry snorkels also have a purge valve. The purge valve is housed in a reservoir below the mouthpiece where excess water can collect. The bottom of the reservoir has a soft silicone valve that will open when you forcefully exhale to clear the tube. This valve makes tube clearing easier because you don’t have to force all the water out the top of the tube.
Tip: Choose a snorkel where the purge valve is indented into the reservoir somewhat, not exposed on the outside. An exposed purge valve is more prone to accidentally opening due to currents or even quick movements of your head and body.
Splash guard
The float valve works only when the snorkel is submerged. So, most dry snorkels will also have a splash guard to deal with water spray at the surface. A splash guard is simply an extra bit of plastic that sits over the snorkel opening. Typically, they feature angled slits and baffles that shunt water from wave spray and light sloshes away from the opening.
Wet vs. dry snorkel size
Dry snorkels tend to be both longer and wider than classic wet snorkels.
The length is to ensure the opening of the snorkel sits well above the water’s surface when worn properly. In combination with the splash guard, this should prevent lightly turbulent water from entering the tube. To accommodate the extra weight of the float valve, splash guard, and purge valves, dry snorkels also tend to be fairly wide and bulky.
As a general rule, larger snorkels work well with larger people and vice versa. Longer, thicker snorkels hold a greater volume of air than shorter, skinnier snorkels. To breathe properly, the snorkeler must be able to fully exchange the air in the whole tube. So, a bigger snorkel means the snorkeler should have the lung capacity to match. The danger of using a snorkel that’s too big for you is that you’ll be inhaling at least some air that you just exhaled each ventilation cycle. That means getting too much carbon dioxide and not enough oxygen. You may feel dizzy, confused, short-of-breath, and fatigued! It’s best to take long, deep breaths when snorkeling anyways, which will decrease the risk of this problem.
Thankfully, dry snorkels come in a variety of shapes including skinnier, lighter options for smaller folks!
Wet vs. dry snorkel: Which one is best for you?
Advantages: Wet vs. dry snorkel
Dry snorkels are the ideal choice for beginners and anyone who has trouble clearing the snorkel when it fills with water. Many seasoned snorkelers also prefer dry snorkels due to their comfort and ease of use.
Even people who are good at clearing a wet snorkel when it fills with water sometimes prefer not to worry about it! This is especially true for snorkeling in salt water, which can leave your mouth feeling quite parched!
Dry Snorkel
- No/little water in mouth
- No clearing means uninterrupted snorkeling
- Purge valve makes clearing easier if necessary
- Flex tube allows an adjustable fit
Wet Snorkel
- Affordable
- More streamlined design means less drag
- Lightweight feels more comfortable
- Simple design with no breakable mechanisms
Even though the wet snorkel is more difficult to use, it also still has its merits! For one, because they’re so simple that means they’re also quite cheap! Some folks (myself included) prefer them because they are much lighter and more streamlined. I like a snorkel that I barely notice!
Disadvantages: Wet vs. dry snorkel
The major downside of a dry snorkel is that even the best float valves can occasionally jam. For some folks, the comfort of the dry snorkel outweighs this occasional inconvenience. Others may find it annoying and not worth the cost. Additionally, in choppier conditions, a properly functioning dry snorkel can seal frequently. Some snorkelers will find the repeated interruptions to their breathing cumbersome.
Lastly, dry snorkels are also more expensive. If you’re comfortable with tube clearing (or want to learn how), a semi-dry or a classic will be a more economical option for you.
Dry Snorkel
- More expensive
- Can feel bulky
- No float valve is perfect
- Buoyant when submerged
Wet Snorkel
- Needs regular clearing
- No flex tube
- No purge valve
- Water will get in your mouth
I advise against using a dry snorkel for SCUBA or freediving. Because they seal the air inside them when submerged, dry snorkels will be far more buoyant underwater than wet or semi-dry snorkels. Not only can this buoyancy add extra drag to your swimming, but it can also cause the snorkel to tug on your mask strap in an awkward manner. This tugging may even cause leaks by breaking the skirt seal.
The disadvantages of classic wet snorkels all involve your experience level. If you’re new to snorkeling and haven’t mastered the technique of clearing the tube, then they’ll be quite difficult to use. However, if you’ve mastered tube clearing then they’ll suit you just fine. Upgrading to a semi-dry or a dry is more a matter of spoiling yourself in that case!
What is the best dry snorkel?
The current popularity of dry snorkels means there are many options out there for anyone to find a good fit. Below is a top 5 list of the highest-rated dry snorkels.
1. Best overall: Cressi Supernova Dry Snorkel
- Price category: Budget $
- Mouthpiece: Stiffer silicone than other models; suitable for smaller mouths; replaceable
- Flex tube: Yes
- Purge valve: Yes
- Color options: Black or Clear, each in a variety of color accents
- Special features: Quick-release mask attachment clip
- Other notes: A highly affordable and effective option with hundreds of 5-star reviews. The float valve may jam in sandy water
2. Most reliable: XS Scuba M-Line Snorkel 3D Flex Dry
- Price category: Standard $$
- Mouthpiece: Suits most mouth sizes; replaceable
- Flex tube: Yes
- Purge valve: Yes
- Color options: Yellow, Blue, Green, Black, and Clear
- Special features: Ball-jointed mouthpiece for a custom fit; Quick-release mask attachment clip
- Other notes: Original float valve design is as close to “perfect” out there!
3. Best for large lungs: Oceanic Ultra-Dry Snorkel
- Price category: Standard $$
- Mouthpiece: Soft bite tabs; suitable for larger mouths; replaceable
- Flex tube: Yes
- Purge valve: Yes
- Color options: Black with yellow accents
- Special features: Quick-release mask attachment clip
- Other notes: Wide tube diameter is bulkier than other models but suitable for larger folks; splash guard may occasionally pop off
4. Best for streamlining: TUSA Hyperdry Elite II Snorkel
- Price category: Standard $$
- Mouthpiece: Swivels for extra comfort; suitable for smaller mouths; replaceable
- Flex tube: Yes
- Purge valve: Yes
- Color options: Black and White, each in a variety of color accents
- Special features: Swivel mask attachment clip
- Other notes: Narrower tube, small mouthpiece, and rounded reservoir result in a more hydrodynamic design than other models
5. Best semi-dry: Aqua Lung Impulse 3 Snorkel
- Price category: Standard $$
- Mouthpiece: Soft mouthpiece with wide, comfortable bite tabs; replaceable and comes in a smaller size
- Flex tube: Models available both with and without, mouthpiece swivels on the no-flex model
- Purge valve: Yes; larger reservoir
- Color options: A variety of solid, opaque colors with black accents
- Special features: Exceptional splash guard feels like a dry snorkel when not submerged
- Other notes: Purge valve is very easy to clear, a good choice for beginners who don’t want a dry snorkel; might be too bulky on small faces
Tips for using a dry snorkel
Fit with your mask
Make sure you try on your mask with the snorkel attached to see how they fit on your face together!
- Does the snorkel interfere with the mask’s placement on your face?
- Does it break the skirt seal? If so it might be too heavy for your mask
- Does the snorkel mouthpiece fit in your mouth without tugging on your lips?
- Is the mouthpiece soft and not too big or small for your mouth?
- Can you hold the mouthpiece in place with minimal effort from your jaw and lips?
Try adjusting the position of the snorkel on your mask to determine if these issues can be resolved. You don’t want your jaw and lips to get tired quickly when you’re using the snorkel!
In the water
- Keep your chin tucked in so you’re looking down and slightly forward, not straight ahead. This will ensure your snorkel stays pointed up and won’t dip into the water behind you.
- Be prepared to occasionally deal with water in your mouth. No dry snorkel is perfect! Small amounts of water will collect in the reservoir which you can easily clear through the purge valve with a small puff of air.
- If your float valve jams, don’t panic! With a bit of fiddling it should right itself. If not, remove your snorkel and inspect the float valve for any sand or other debris caught in the mechanism.
Spare snorkel keepers
Most snorkels will come with a plastic clip for attaching the snorkel to your mask. However, this plastic can degrade over time (especially if you’re doing most of your snorkeling in saltwater). That’s why it’s a smart idea to be prepared with a couple of these simple silicone snorkel keepers in your gear bag. The loops go over your snorkel and you thread your mask strap through the connector. The loops on this one can even be separated for easy snorkel attachment and detachment!
Let me know in the comments what kind of snorkel you prefer! Are you a fan of the dry snorkel, or do you prefer something simpler?
Further reading
How to Choose a Mask and Snorkel: A Complete Guide in 3 Parts
How Does a Snorkel Work? (Wet, Dry, and Semi-Dry)
Expert Breathing Techniques For Snorkeling
Disclaimer: Some of the links used in this article are affiliate links. That means I may get a small commission if you buy a product after following the link. If this guide helped you make a decision, consider it like giving me a little thank you!
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