Scuba & Snorkeling Fins

Purpose

Fins help you to propel easier through the water and are nice to have for snorkeling and definitely a requirement for scuba diving.

Features

Foot Pocket Style

Full-foot fins are usually worn bare-foot or with a light neoprene or lycra sock. These are for warm-water snorkeling or scuba diving. Open-heel fins have an adjustable strap on the back of the heel. These are for warm-water or cold water snorkeling or scuba diving, but must be worn with a light or heavy boot depending on the water temperature. Also consider the terrain that you will encounter if shore diving or snorkeling, and whether neoprene boots with a rubber sole will be a preferred foot cover rather than bare feet.

Blade Style

Fins for snorkeling may be shorter and more flexible. Fins for scuba diving need to be longer and stiffer to accommodate for the extra weight of the tank and gear that you will be pushing through the water. While scuba diving fins may be worn while snorkeling, generally snorkeling fins are not meant for scuba diving. A more flexible fin will reduce fatigue and cramping on your legs as you propel through the water, however the compromise will be less speed and power. On the other hand, a stiffer fin may cause more fatigue and cramping, when used with proper kicking technique can provide more efficient speed and power.

Strap Style

Most open-heel fins will have a Quick-Release style strap easily adjusts for size and unclips for easy exit. Spring straps are not adjustable but a use the power of a spring to hold the strap in place, making them much easier to put on and take off. Most quick-release straps can be replaced with a strap style. A Rubber Bungee style is similar to the spring strap in that it is not adjustable but utilizes the power of a bungee to hold the strap in place.

Kicking Style

A flutter kick is the basic fin kick used for snorkeling and scuba diving, straight legs with slight bend at the knee moving up and down. A frog kick (or cave kick) is a more advanced kick that looks like the swimming action of a frog. Some fins are great for flutter or frog kick, and some are good for both styles.

Care & Maintenance

Even taking the best care of your fins, you may find that over time parts of your fins wear out or get broken. Prior to heading out on your diving or snorkeling excursion, check over your fins to ensure that the strap is still in good working condition. Try extending and tightening the strap to ensure the side buckles are also working correctly.

If you find your strap or side buckles are in disrepair, you can find some replacement parts on our website. Email us a photo of your mask and a close-up of the broken part and we'll see if we can source out a replacement part for you.

After using your fins, especially in salt water or chlorine, be sure to rinse well with clean, fresh water to rid the fins of chlorine and salty residue. Air-dry, then store out of direct sunlight. Store in a flat position and if being stored for extended periods you may want keep the plastic foot pocket shapers to store in the foot pocket to preserve the shape.