How to Choose a Snorkel for Diving: Types, Fit and Prices

A snorkel is a small, simple piece of gear, and that is why people often buy the first one they see. But you hold it in your mouth, it rides on your mask, and it decides how easy your time at the surface feels. Here's how to choose a snorkel for diving, based on PADI's guidance and the brands' own product pages, with a table of the snorkels we carry and the prices on our site.

Why scuba divers carry a snorkel

Many divers ask why they need a snorkel when they have a tank. PADI's answer is simple: so you can save the air in your tank before and after the dive. Whether there is air left in your tank or not, you can swim, and breathe, your way to safety.

PADI also says the snorkel lets you breathe while you look below, until you're ready to go down on scuba, and that it makes your surface time easier. It lists the snorkel with the mask and fins as gear every diver should use.

What every snorkel needs

According to PADI, a snorkel needs three basics:

• a comfortable mouthpiece that fits you, neither too small nor too large
• a tube of the right diameter, length and shape to reach above your head, with smooth, rounded bends that keep breathing resistance low
• an adjustable attachment to your mask strap

Everything else, from purge valves to splash guards, is optional. Choose the extras that match how you dive.

1. Fit first: the try-on checklist

PADI is clear that fit and comfort matter most, above colour and extra features.

• Put the snorkel in your mouth with the barrel against your left ear.
• Check that the mouthpiece feels comfortable.
• Check that your lips seal around it without effort.
• Check that it sits straight.
• Attach it to your mask, put the mask on, and adjust the angle and the attachment until it's comfortable.
• Try several models before you decide.

2. Shape and top: classic J-shape or a top that keeps splashes out

The simplest snorkel is a plain tube. GULL calls two of ours a classic J-shape:

• GULL CANAL FLEX SP: a classic J-shape body. The mouthpiece sits in a comfortable position and stays there, and GULL calls it a sensible choice for skin divers.
• GULL SAMURAI EXTREME: a classic J-shape technical snorkel with a large bore, from GULL's Pro Series.

PADI lists features that reduce water coming in at the top in choppy water, such as slits, vents, covers and angles. On our snorkels:

• GULL's dry-upper top stops splashes from getting in at the top of the snorkel. You'll find it on CANAL STABLE, LEILA STABLE, CANAL DRY SP, LEILA DRY SP, and even on the J-shape CANAL FLEX SP.
• Aqualung Air Dry has a vent system over the tube that reduces water splashing in. Aqualung doesn't say it keeps all water out.
• Aqualung Zephyr Flex has a soft splashguard on top that helps reduce water entry at the surface when it is choppy.

A top that keeps splashes out doesn't mean the tube never gets wet, so look at how the snorkel clears water too (step 3).

3. Purge valves: clearing water out

PADI describes a self-draining purge valve below the mouthpiece as an optional feature that helps you clear water. Here's how the brands describe theirs:

• GULL SUPER BULLET and SUPER BULLET MINI: twin purge valves, twice the usual number, clear the snorkel faster and steer any water left into purge chambers, away from your mouth. GULL calls clearing them really easy.
• GULL CANAL STABLE and LEILA STABLE: a large purge chamber that keeps the air path open even with water in the tube.
• GULL CANAL DRY SP and LEILA DRY SP: a more conventional purge valve, in GULL's words.
• Aqualung Impulse Classic and Impulse Classic Flex: two valves. If a wave breaks over the snorkel, the upper valve sends most of the water out before it reaches the mouthpiece; what gets past drains through the lower valve. Aqualung says a gentle puff clears the reservoir below the mouthpiece.
• Aqualung Air Dry: a lower reservoir with two purge valves.
• Aqualung Zephyr Flex: an elliptical silicone purge valve that Aqualung says seals against incoming water and purges easily.

GULL's pages for CANAL FLEX SP, SAMURAI EXTREME, CANAL 2 and AEGEAN don't mention a purge valve.

4. Bore size: how wide the tube is

The bore is the inside diameter of the tube. PADI only says it should be the proper diameter; it gives no number. GULL publishes the bore of most of its snorkels:

• 21 mm: SUPER BULLET and SUPER BULLET MINI. GULL says this gives the smoothest breathing of any GULL snorkel.
• 20.5 mm: CANAL 2
• 20 mm: SAMURAI EXTREME
• 18.5 mm: AEGEAN
• 18 mm: CANAL STABLE, LEILA STABLE, CANAL DRY SP and LEILA DRY SP. GULL says the pipe and its bore are designed for relaxed, easy breathing.

Aqualung calls Air Dry large bore but gives no size, and its pages give no bore for the other Aqualung snorkels. GULL gives none for CANAL FLEX SP. Compare bore figures within one brand.

5. Mouthpiece size: for smaller mouths

PADI's rule is a mouthpiece neither too small nor too large. If standard mouthpieces feel big, GULL makes smaller versions of two of its snorkels:

• The LEILA models are GULL's smaller-mouthpiece versions: LEILA STABLE has a 47 mm mouthpiece where CANAL STABLE has 56 mm, and LEILA DRY SP has 44 mm where CANAL DRY SP has 47 mm.
• SUPER BULLET MINI is SUPER BULLET with a smaller mouthpiece, for divers who find the standard size too large. GULL gives no mouthpiece size for either.

Comfort comes from the shape, too:

• On GULL's STABLE and DRY SP snorkels, the upper and lower grips differ to fit your upper and lower teeth. GULL says most users don't tire. On the two STABLE models you can replace the mouthpiece when it wears out.
• The SUPER BULLET mouthpiece turns freely to find a natural angle.
• Aqualung says the Zephyr Flex mouthpiece reduces jaw fatigue and swivels for a better fit; Air Dry has a Comfo-Bite silicone mouthpiece.

6. Flexible or rigid tube, and GULL's rubber Pro Series

PADI describes a flexible, corrugated lower section, or a swivel, that lets the mouthpiece swing out of your way when you're breathing from a scuba regulator. The brands build this differently:

• Aqualung Impulse Classic Flex has a flex section that is easy to position and drops away when you're not using it. Impulse Classic has the same two valves without it.
• Aqualung Zephyr Flex has a corrugate made of two materials: a rigid skeleton keeps it from collapsing, and a soft part lets it flex, with less pressure on your mouth.
• GULL's STABLE and DRY SP snorkels have corrugations on the inside of the curve, so the tube bends and the mouthpiece sits comfortably, while the smooth opposite wall drains water easily. GULL describes CANAL DRY SP as having a rigid, stress-reducing design.
• Aqualung Air Dry's tube is Flexothane, which Aqualung describes as supple yet resistant.

Staying steady in a current. GULL designed the stabilizer pipe on CANAL STABLE and LEILA STABLE (also on CANAL DRY SP, LEILA DRY SP and CANAL FLEX SP) to cut vibration and the discomfort of a tube that shifts around, and GULL says the SUPER BULLET pipe has less drag, so it shudders less.

GULL's rubber Pro Series. CANAL 2 and AEGEAN are simple rubber snorkels. GULL built CANAL 2 sturdy for daily professional diving work and developed AEGEAN with diving professionals in mind. SAMURAI EXTREME is also in the Pro Series. GULL doesn't say any of the three is made for beginners.

7. Clip or keeper

PADI's advice: know how your snorkel's clip, slot or keeper attaches to your mask, so you can put your gear together at the dive site. On our snorkels:

• GULL's One Touch Clip: squeeze either side of the clip on the mask strap to put the snorkel on or take it off.
• GULL SUPER BULLET's One-Touch Holder: squeeze the sides and it comes straight off the mask strap.
• Aqualung Zephyr Flex: a large retainer that Aqualung says is easy to work even in thick gloves.
• Aqualung Air Dry: a quick, simple mask keeper.

Snorkel care after diving

PADI recommends rinsing your snorkel in fresh water after every use and storing it cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. Keep it away from neoprene, which can stain silicone parts. Care for the rest of your gear is in How to wash and store your dive gear.

Which snorkel should a beginner start with?

The brands don't rate most of their snorkels by experience level. Two pointers from GULL:

• GULL calls CANAL DRY SP and LEILA DRY SP a great choice as a standard snorkel for skin and scuba diving. LEILA DRY SP has the smaller mouthpiece.
• The Pro Series models (SAMURAI EXTREME, CANAL 2, AEGEAN) are made for divers who push their limits or dive for work. If you're just starting, look at the snorkels above first.

Fit still decides. Use the checklist in step 1.

Which snorkel brand is best? Our snorkels and prices

No snorkel is best for every mouth. This table sums up what each brand says its snorkel does, so you can pick which ones to try. Prices are the prices on our site on 16 October 2026.

Model	Strengths / who it suits	Price on our site
GULL SUPER BULLET	Top of GULL's snorkel line · 21 mm bore, twin purge valves, One-Touch Holder	฿2,300
GULL SUPER BULLET MINI	SUPER BULLET with a smaller mouthpiece	฿2,300
GULL CANAL STABLE	Dry top, stabilizer pipe for current, large purge chamber · 18 mm bore, replaceable 56 mm mouthpiece	฿1,690
GULL LEILA STABLE	CANAL STABLE with a smaller 47 mm mouthpiece	฿1,690
GULL CANAL DRY SP	Dry top, conventional purge valve, 47 mm mouthpiece · a great standard snorkel for skin and scuba (according to GULL)	฿1,590
GULL LEILA DRY SP	Dry top, conventional purge valve, smaller 44 mm mouthpiece · a great standard snorkel for skin and scuba (according to GULL)	฿1,590
GULL CANAL FLEX SP	Classic J-shape with a dry top · GULL calls it a sensible choice for skin divers	฿1,390
GULL SAMURAI EXTREME	Pro Series, classic J-shape technical snorkel, 20 mm bore · limited	฿1,590
GULL CANAL 2	Pro Series rubber snorkel for daily professional dive work · 20.5 mm bore	฿1,290
GULL AEGEAN	Pro Series rubber snorkel, developed with diving professionals in mind · 18.5 mm bore	฿990
Aqualung Zephyr Flex	Two-material corrugate, elliptical purge valve, soft splashguard, retainer you can work in gloves	฿1,470
Aqualung Impulse Classic Flex	Two valves keep water out · flex section drops away when not in use	฿1,690
Aqualung Impulse Classic	The same two valves, no flex section	฿1,590
Aqualung Air Dry	Large-bore curved tube, vent on top cuts splash-in, two purge valves	฿1,490

Before you order, message us on LINE. Tell us how you dive and which mask you'll use it with. We ship within Thailand, free from ฿2,000; below that, a shipping fee applies. Details are on our shipping and returns page.

Bottom line

Start with fit: a mouthpiece that seals without effort and a tube that sits straight. Then choose the extras you need: a top that keeps splashes out, a purge valve, a flexible section, a smaller mouthpiece. Pair it with a mask that fits, too; see How to choose a dive mask.

If you're new to diving, our beginner tips video is a good next step, and Scuba gear list shows what else to buy first.

FAQ

Snorkel or "ท่อหายใจ": is it the same thing?

Yes. In Thai, a diving snorkel is often called ท่อหายใจ, "breathing tube". On our Thai pages the category reads สน็อกเกิ้ล (ท่อหายใจ).

Do I need a snorkel for scuba diving?

PADI lists the snorkel with the mask and fins as gear every diver should use. It saves the air in your tank before and after the dive, and lets you breathe at the surface whether your tank has air left or not.

How much does a diving snorkel cost?

On our site on 16 October 2026, from ฿990 (GULL AEGEAN) to ฿2,300 (GULL SUPER BULLET and SUPER BULLET MINI). Each model's price is in the table above; we confirm price and stock on LINE when you order.

Which snorkel is good for a beginner?

GULL calls CANAL DRY SP and LEILA DRY SP a great choice as a standard snorkel for skin and scuba diving; LEILA DRY SP has the smaller mouthpiece. Whatever the model, let fit decide.

The mouthpiece feels too big. What can I do?

Try GULL's smaller-mouthpiece versions: LEILA STABLE (47 mm), LEILA DRY SP (44 mm) or SUPER BULLET MINI.

Does a dry-top snorkel keep all water out?

The brands don't promise that. GULL says its dry-upper top stops splashes from getting in at the top, and Aqualung says the Air Dry vent reduces splash-in, not that it keeps all water out. That's why a purge valve is worth a look too.