Why You Should Use Fins While Snorkelling, and How to Use Them Properly

by Mihai Pinzariu on September 21, 2019

If you haven’t got feet and legs of steel, you’re likely going to need to use fins while snorkelling. Sure, you can go out into the wide open ocean barefoot, but it won’t be long before you’re tired from all that kicking and ready for a break. Fins are an essential piece of snorkelling equipment that not only enhance the quality of your practice, but make it way more enjoyable on your behalf as well.

That said, a lot of people think that fins are just an unnecessary add-on, or something that’s not gonna add much value to their snorkelling activity. We do know that sometimes fins sound too good to be true, but the fact is that they exist for a reason – and snorkellers worldwide are dependant on their fins for a reason!

If you’re not sure about how fins affect snorkelling, or how to ensure you’re using them properly when you’re out at sea, then keep reading for a primer on how to use fins and how they’ll advance your practice.

Why you should use fins

Let’s start with the why. Perhaps you’ve already been snorkelling with a pair of fins on and haven’t seen what’s so special about them. It’s more than likely in that case that you’ve worn a pair that’s not completely the right size and shape for your feet. Trust us, when you’ve got a well-fitting pair, you’ll know the difference. And what exactly is that difference?

Well, with a good pair of fins you’ll be swimming faster and further out than you ever have before. Fins will help to accelerate the speed of your swimming, so you’re essentially being given a little extra push with each kick, helping you go out even further and faster. And that means you’ll be able to explore way more parts of the ocean than you would have without fins, able to marvel at way more coral and sea life.

Best of all, even though you’ll be going further out and faster, you’ll come back to shore feeling less tired than if you hadn’t worn fins. There’s really not much to not love…

Types of fins

If you’re not a huge fan of using fins while snorkelling, then it’s also likely that you’ve tried the wrong type of fins. There are two main types of snorkelling fins available, open and closed toe options. While both types of fins generally act in the same manner while in use, there’s a huge difference between comfort factor and preference.

You may have guessed it; closed toe fins clasp around your toes much like a shoe, while open toe fins have a strap, giving your toes more room to breathe and being less restrictive to the feet. For that reason, many people tend to prefer open toe fins. That said, they may not be the most practical option if you’re heading out snorkelling in an area with lots of sharp rocks about – that’s where booties come in.

Socks for your fins

Snorkelling socks are an accessory that will using your fins a more comfortable, practical, and healthy experience. Especially helpful for those who just can’t get enough of the underwater and find themselves swimming around for hours, snorkel socks will make a huge difference in how your body reacts to wearing fins and being underwater.

First of all, wearing socks will prevent chafing from occurring where the fin comes in contact with the foot. That means you can kick with as much force as you like, for as long as you like, knowing your feet are protected from contact friction. Wearing snorkel socks will also add a degree of protection to your feet from jellyfish stings and other nasty ocean things you don’t want to touch. Last of all, they’ll also keep you that extra little bit warmer while you’re underwater.

Kicks to get you started

So you’ve got your fancy new fins, they’re fitting nice and snug (but not too snug – you want to stay comfortable!), and you’re ready to get out there and see how they can power you through a good snorkelling sesh. Here are some kicking techniques to try out with your new fins, give each one a go and see how they all work differently while snorkelling.

Flutter kick

Probably the most standard kick when it comes to snorkelling and scuba diving, the flutter kick involves the legs moving up and down in opposite directions. Try to keep your leg fairly straight, and initiate the action from your hips. You want the hips and legs to be in line with your torso, and your knees only bending slightly with the upward stroke.

This is a great kick for thrusting yourself forward and moving at speed, but not always necessary to do while snorkelling. This kick can disturb the seabed and marine life, so try not to do it when you’re close to the seabed or a wall or you’ll be kicking up too much sand and silt to see anything!

Scissors kick

Similarly to the flutter kick, you want to keep your legs straight and knees slightly bent for this kick. However, instead of moving the legs up and down in opposite directions, you want to widen them and then bring them in together sharply (just like a pair of scissors!). Hold in the final position as you glide. This is a great kick for slow cruising.

Practice these two new kicks slowly, and once you’ve perfected them, we’ll get you onto some new tricks! Now get out there and enjoy some extra propulsion thanks to your fancy new fins.


How many people dream of snorkelling but don't feel comfortable wearing a snorkel mask?

The Influencer @lud.around is a NINJASHARK lover!

NINJASHARK is the sound of a revolution in snorkeling. Whereas other water equipments companies are constantly adding poor quality products, we listen to your feedback and constantly improve our products to fit for all of your needs.

 
"I'm not leaving my room without the mask. The full face snorkeling mask from Australia is comfortable and fit me perfectly! Love how easy it is to breath out your nose and mouth when you snorkeling and even has earplugs!"

“The mask include GOPRO mounts, so you can easily film and photograph underwater scenery! I highly recommend especially to people who have a fear of snorkeling! This mask is really easy to use and is safe!” said @lud.around. “I can’t wait for my next trip with my new mask!”

The Ninja Shark full face snorkel masks makes your experiences the best they can be. They are exclusively sold on the Ninja Shark website.

The Ninja Shark full face snorkel masks comes equipped with advanced Anti-Fog technology, automatic drainage, no CO2 Buildup with improved uni-directional valves, and a revolutionary breathe flow system so you can breathe through both your nose and mouth.





“If you thought we’re just here to sell you products, think again. You’re part of the Ninja Shark family, and your feedback matters! We’re constantly working to improve our products and deliver the full face snorkel mask that exists only in our dreams!”

What customers are saying about us…

“Awesome set.

Loved the complete set. I even used the waterproof phone pouch to take photos and videos underwater. It made my Fiji experience so much better than using the free snorkel set that hurt your face after 2hours and leaving a sun/mask mark. The ninja leaves no marks and gives great vision under water in comparison. It did take some getting used to but it definitely paid off! Only frustration is that the tightening straps are quite basic; they should be much simpler to loosen and tighten both in and out of water.” – Jock

Try our line of snorkelling and swimming gear
by Ninja Shark! You’ll love it.

All Ninja Shark Products are tailor-made
with medical silicone.

We care about making our products safe and healthy for you—and our planet.
That’s why the Ninja Shark Full Face Snorkelling Masks are made from a non-toxic and environmentally friendly anti-allergic medical grade silicone, that’s not only safer for your kids but safer for you too.
1 comment
by Leanne Chalkley on November 26, 2021

Snorkelling socks genius, I’m always getting blisters great idea.

LEAVE A COMMENT

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published


Based on 1482 reviews
91%
(1343)
7%
(98)
1%
(19)
1%
(10)
1%
(12)
B
Electra - Full Face Snorkel Mask
Bolang C. (Perth, AU)
Great design

This is the best snorkel mask I’ve ever had. Very comfortable on face, easy to breathe. I am not a good swimmer, it makes me feel safe and enjoy snorkelling without distraction. Thank you ninjiashark.

Best snorkel ever!!

Got one of these for me and my 7 year old daughter for Xmas. We’ve used them twice already and love them!! So much easier to breathe, can see so much and just makes the whole snorkelling experience better! Would highly recommend!

Clear as day

Clear to see and easy to breathe,
Whole family loves the NinjaShark Snorkel mask.

R
Lifetime Warranty
Robyn H. (Adelaide, AU)
Amazing

The best snorkel and mask combination. No going back now! I could snorkel for over an hour easily. So glad I made this purchase

M
Package: Dry Snorkel (Set + Fins + Bag)
Mermaid M. (Townsville, AU)
Mermaid

While travelling in Timor leste l met a fellow snorkeller. We snorkelled for 10 days together the food was shit but the water was stunning. The friend was using Ninja Shark fins and mask mine were steaming up, letting in water and heavy. On arriving back in Australia l ordered straight away.
I was a little bit anxious on receiving my order as the mask was quite different to my old one and the fins were short and adjustable ( l wanted them to be my size ! ) well to my luck the weather was beautiful ( yes mid winter in Mackay ) and perfect for boating so off we scooted to Cockermouth ( don't laugh it's a real place ) jumping in and WOW I'm now a mermaid 🧜‍♀️ the mask and fins felt like part of me. I actually cried as not only was the equipment allowing me to explore as l wanted but the reef was STUNNING. So lm indepted to Ninja Shark for making me the mermaid l always aspired to be 🧜‍♀️

Took it to Tahiti

I wasn’t quite sure about getting a full face mask but bought mine (Electra package) before a trip to Tahiti which we got home from yesterday - absolutely LOVED it!!! I’ll be getting one for my wife before our next trip to a similar destination. BTW I make LOTS of crazy videos with lots of toys.

Judge.me YouTube video placeholder
Life changing

I do love my full face snorkel.. the freedom of nose breathing under the water.. the meditative and relaxative effect of this snorkeling is unexpected and great. Fits so well.. comfy to wear for long time.. highly recommend

j
Diving Dry Snorkel Set with GoPro mount
jomm11 (Brisbane, AU)
Super quality & fit

So happy we got Ninja shark, perfect for Great barrier reef snorkel day.
Flippers, mask, dry wallet, carry bag (good quality bag), anti fog spray, happy days.

Ninja Shark Kids Mask

We recently brought the Ninja Shark Kids 3-11 Mask + Fins + Bag package for our 7 year old who absolutely loves it! Will be buying three more for the rest of the family. 😊

Even better than expected!

I saw the kids full face snorkel masks online, and thought they looked pretty cool. I ordered two for Christmas, for my 3 and 6 year olds. Wow, did they have a great time with them!

I wasn't sure how the 3 year old would go with it, but he was comfortable in it almost immediately, and spent hours swimming around and seeing a whole new world of underwater scenery.

They were easy to fit, zero issues with them staying on. No leaks or fog.

They can't wait to get back to the water!

Highly recommend this product :)

N
Electra - Full Face Snorkel Mask
Nick J. (Brisbane, AU)
mask swimming

The mask did exactly what was stated. I was very happy and will get another mask for my daughter.

S
Electra - Full Face Snorkel Mask
Sheara R. (Perth, AU)
Great way to swim

I have NEVER been able to snorkel but love swimming. These full face snorkels are an absolute game changer in my life. Now I try to swim around 5 kms a week in the local pool. The Ninja mask makes it easy to do laps. I’ve been using the Ninja Shark for a quite few years and find the new Electra the best full face mask ever. No leaks, no fog and really easy to use and great quality. I’ve noticed my regular chats with other swimmers at the pool have encouraged many of them to purchase one of their own. I’ve given my older models to my grandkids and they love them too.

Fabulous

I got one for the 3 year old and one for the 5 year old, I thought maybe the 3 year old would get the hang of it eventually but they both loved it and mastered it pretty quickly. We’ve only used in the swimming pool, excited to go snorkeling in the ocean soon. Great product.

S
Lifetime Warranty
Sarah B. (Surfers Paradise, AU)
Love it!

Amazing product ! Have the electra package, kids love it. So easy to use. Highly recommend

J
Diving Dry Snorkel Set with GoPro mount
Jennifer M. (Brisbane, AU)
Love it

Bought these for myself and my husband after getting the full face masks for the kids, and they were so good we’re getting them for the rest of the extended family for Xmas. The fact u can dive down and not get water down ur snorkel is a brilliant bonus! Makes our family holidays much easier and better without snorkel dramas!

This made our holiday

The product itself was amazing, but the service we received allowed us to get our 2 sets of masks for our cruise. We took them with us and used them multiple times for snorkelling on our cruise to Nouméa and New Caledonia. It was amazing snorkelling and being able to breathe easily, and the fins were the most comfortable I've ever used. I've got size 13 feet, and not only were they completely adjustable, but they were THE most comfortable fins ever invented. A massive shoutout to Colleen Zamora from your support staff who helped me out and made it possible to take our gear on holidays! Thanks Colleen!
The photo is us snorkelling off Amadee Island looking for turtles!

My kids love them

I’ve got three of these masks for my younger kids, however the oldest wants one too as the young ones rave about how good the are.

Summer Family Fun

Our Ninja masks have made snorkelling as a whole family very easy and enjoyable. The kids (and parents) find them super easy to use and have allowed us as a family of five to snorkel for longer than we ever could using traditional snorkel gear. I would highly recommend these masks.

G
Lifetime Warranty
Geri D. (Sydney, AU)
Lifetime warranty

Glad I have but haven’t needed to use .. yet

Great Mask

Love this mask. Kids find it so much easier snorkelling with the Ninja Shark. The snorkel mask is super clear and doesn’t fog up. The adjustable straps are great and easy to loosen and tighten. Very happy that we made the decision to get these for the kids.

A must for snorkelers!

Recently purchased the Equaliser Pro Mask, Finns and bag. 🤿 🐠🐡🐟🦈 Had an amazing time snorkeling off Fitzroy Island, the Pro mask allowed me to explore for over 7 hours. Higly recommend! Planning must next snorkeling trip! 🤿💦🌴☀️

awsome

we used our new masks over the weekend. they were amazing, my daughter barely had her head out of the water all day.

L
Lifetime Warranty
Lina J. (Gold Coast, AU)
life warranty

This is great! More stores should do it!

O
Lifetime Warranty
Olivia (Perth, AU)
Fantastic snorkel!

Our 5 year old has never snorkelled. Put it on and was snorkelling no problem straight away! Easy for him to put on and off by himself. We bought the full package with flippers (also amazing and he can put them on by himself) and the two wet bags. The foldable snorkel is so handy for storing while we are travelling. And the lifetime warranty gives us great comfort that we can use it for future trips! We are so impressed with this product I’m going to get mum and dad one too!

Kids snorkel

It is a lot easier for the younger children to have fun and snorkel without worrying about their nose breathing. My 6 year old swims confidently and happily.