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Most people snorkel with a mask, fins, and optimism. That works fine in a resort pool. In actual open water — dealing with current, sun, boat traffic, and hours in the water — you want to be better equipped than that.
This is the full checklist, from the non-negotiables to the things most people wish they'd brought.
The Non-Negotiables
Mask
The single most important piece of kit. A leaking or fogging mask ruins a snorkel session faster than anything else. Key specs:
- Tempered glass lens — scratch and shatter resistant; avoid plastic lenses entirely
- Silicone skirt — creates a better seal across different face shapes than PVC; look for 100% silicone, not "soft plastic"
- Low volume — less air space between your face and the lens means easier clearing if water gets in
- Anti-fog coating or treatment — apply anti-fog gel or rub a small amount of toothpaste on the lens before first use; reapply with a drop of anti-fog solution before each session
Fit test: press the mask to your face without using the strap and inhale gently through your nose. A correctly fitting mask will stay in place with no strap.
Snorkel
A simple J-tube snorkel (the classic curved tube) is more reliable than dry-top snorkels with float valves, which can fail and are harder to clear. For beginners, a semi-dry snorkel with a splash guard is a good middle ground. Avoid snorkels with built-in mouthpiece corrugations — they trap water and are harder to clear.
Fins
Full-foot fins (the slip-on style) work well in warm tropical water without booties. Open-heel fins with straps are better if you're walking over coral or rocks to enter the water. Blade length: longer fins provide more thrust but tire beginners out faster. Medium-blade fins are the most versatile starting point. Fit should be snug but not cutting off circulation.
Sun Protection
Rashguard or swim set
The most important sun protection item on this list. You can spend hours at the surface while snorkeling — back of the neck, back of the arms, back of the legs all facing directly upward toward peak UV. A UPF 50+ long sleeve rashguard eliminates the need for sunscreen on covered areas and doesn't wash off between dives.
For women, a rashguard swim set with full leg coverage is the most practical choice for all-day snorkeling: no reapplication needed, no strap marks, no sunscreen in the coral.
Reef-safe sunscreen
For exposed skin — face, back of hands, calves. Choose mineral-based (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) rather than chemical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens — oxybenzone and octinoxate in particular — are toxic to coral larvae and are banned at many marine parks across Southeast Asia, Hawaii, and Palau. Check the label: "reef-safe" is not a regulated term, so look for the active ingredients specifically.
UV-protective hat or cap
Useful on the boat between snorkel sites. A wide-brim or legionnaire-style hat covers the neck, which is the most commonly burned area on snorkelers.
Buoyancy and Safety
Snorkel vest
Especially recommended for non-swimmers and beginners. An inflatable snorkel vest sits around the chest and can be inflated orally for additional buoyancy at the surface. It doesn't restrict snorkeling movement and provides a margin of safety in current or fatigue.
Surface marker buoy (SMB)
A bright orange or yellow inflatable tube that makes you visible to boats at the surface. Essential when snorkeling in any area with boat traffic — which is most popular snorkel sites. Compact and weighs almost nothing.
Practical Gear
Dry bag
10–15 litre capacity, roll-top seal. For phone, wallet, passport copy, cash, and anything that must not get wet on the boat. A 10L dry bag compresses to the size of a water bottle when empty.
Underwater camera or phone housing
Optional but frequently wished-for. Entry-level options: GoPro-style action cameras work well; purpose-built underwater phone housings (Aquapac, Divevolk) are cheaper if you're primarily taking photos rather than video. Test the housing in a sink before use — seals can fail.
Defog solution
Small bottle, lasts hundreds of sessions. Apply 1–2 drops to the inside of the lens, spread with a finger, and rinse briefly before wearing. Far more effective than DIY saliva methods over multiple dives.
Mesh bag
For carrying your fins, mask, and snorkel to and from the water. The mesh allows water to drain and the gear to air-dry. Most dive shops sell these for a few dollars and they last years.
Checklist Summary
- ✓ Tempered glass, silicone-skirt mask (fit-tested)
- ✓ Snorkel (semi-dry or J-tube)
- ✓ Fins (correct size)
- ✓ UPF 50+ rashguard or rashguard swim set
- ✓ Reef-safe mineral sunscreen (for exposed skin)
- ✓ Snorkel vest (beginners and open-water sites)
- ✓ Surface marker buoy
- ✓ 10L dry bag
- ✓ Defog solution
- ✓ Mesh gear bag
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment do I need for snorkeling?
The essentials are a well-fitting mask, a snorkel tube, and fins. Add a UPF 50+ rashguard for sun protection, reef-safe sunscreen for exposed skin, and a snorkel vest if you're not a confident swimmer. For any site with boat traffic, a surface marker buoy (SMB) is also important for visibility.
Should I rent or buy my own snorkel gear?
If you snorkel more than 3–4 times a year, buying your own mask is worth it — fit is personal, and a well-fitting mask makes a bigger difference than any other piece of gear. Fins and snorkels are easier to rent since sizing is less critical. A rashguard is worth owning regardless of frequency: it protects you from sun, coral abrasion, and jellyfish even when snorkeling with rented gear.
Do I need a wetsuit for snorkeling in Southeast Asia?
No. Water temperatures in tropical Southeast Asia are 26–30°C year-round — a wetsuit is unnecessary and will cause overheating. A UPF 50+ rashguard provides the surface protection you need without thermal insulation. In cooler conditions (below 24°C), a 1–2mm shorty wetsuit or full rashguard set is sufficient.
Is reef-safe sunscreen actually necessary?
Yes, particularly in marine parks and protected areas. Chemical UV filters (oxybenzone, octinoxate, and others) are demonstrably harmful to coral at concentrations found at popular snorkel sites. Several countries and territories — including Palau, Hawaii, and parts of Thailand — have banned chemical sunscreen at marine sites. Use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide mineral sunscreen on exposed skin, and cover as much as possible with a UPF-rated rashguard.
What is a surface marker buoy and do I need one?
A surface marker buoy (SMB) is a brightly coloured inflatable tube you hold at the surface to make yourself visible to boats. You need one any time you're snorkeling at a site that also has boat traffic — which includes most popular snorkel destinations in Southeast Asia. They weigh almost nothing and cost very little; there's no good reason not to carry one.
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