Snorkel set for kids (4-16 years)

In this category you'll find the best snorkelling sets for kids, so your kid can get ready to explore the wonderful world of the sea below the surface. This can be in the south as well as here in Ireland. Here, the wildlife can be just as interesting!

You'll be able to find snorkelling sets for kids with and without flippers, depending on your kid's needs and requirements. And with all the different types of snorkelling sets, we're pretty sure you'll find what you're looking for on this site.

What should you be aware of?

Before investing in a snorkelling set for kids, there are a few things to consider. It's really important that they start with the right kit at the right time.

This is especially related to their age and height, which is why the age range indicated on a snorkelling set for kids is not completely irrelevant.

When a kid is 3 years old, they are often still too young to start snorkelling, with most starting at 4 years old and others at 5 years old. If your kid starts to show interest in snorkelling around that age, we would definitely recommend starting with the sets that span 4-8 years, such as this set from Beco.

But to make things a little more manageable, we've summarised the considerations you should have as a parent:

The fit of the diving mask: It is critical for the experience that the diving mask fits the shape of the kid's head. Therefore, it should be neither too big nor too small, but luckily most diving masks are easily adjustable. The most important thing is that the rubber/silicone piece around the eyes seals tightly so that no water can leak in, even when the kid is moving around in the water

The length of the snorkel: This is a very significant point for your kid's safety in the water! This is because the length of the snorkel determines whether the kid can ventilate all the air out between breaths. If the tube is too long and the kid's lung capacity is insufficient, carbon monoxide will build up in the tube, which can be very dangerous. Especially in water!

Therefore, always follow the age range specified by a diving set. As a rule of thumb, as long as the kid is under 145 cm in height, you should use a kid's snorkel

Swim fins with heel strap: Kids' feet grow, and sometimes it can happen quickly. So if they need flippers, it's a good idea to find a snorkelling set for kids where the swim fins come with a heel strap. That way you can adjust the size all the time, instead of having to buy new swim fins with a fixed heel every year

User-friendly: Kids want to do it themselves, especially if adults show them how to do it. It's therefore worth considering a snorkelling set for kids that is easy to put on and take off for their age. Especially when it comes to getting the snorkel to fit properly. Start simple and as your kid gets more and more experienced, you can replace the beginner's snorkel with a more advanced one

Choose diving goggles with a nose: It's so uncomfortable to get water up your nose, and when snorkelling, kids can forget in their excitement that they can't breathe through their nose. And that can quickly ruin a snorkelling trip! They won't have to worry about that if they use a diving mask with a nose. If they have a pair of diving goggles without a nose that they like to use, you can buy nose clips

A snorkelling set or a diving mask - what should you pick?

Whether to buy a snorkelling set for kids or just a diving mask or goggles depends on how your kid will use it.

A snorkelling set is designed for them to lie quietly on the surface of the water, soaking up the wonders of the ocean as they slowly move forwards. Of course, it's possible to dive into the water from time to time, but a snorkel is not meant to be more underwater than above.

So if you have a kid who just loves diving and spends most of their time underwater, a good pair of diving goggles or a diving mask for kids can be just fine. However, we'd recommend that they still wear a pair of swim fins - or to make it really fun, maybe a mermaid tail. Mostly because it helps them move faster underwater, so they get as much as they can before they have to come up for air. If your kid needs strength, we also have diving masks with strength for kids.

Learn to snorkel the right way

Having respect for water is important, especially for kids who can quickly become engrossed in water play or other activities in the water. Therefore, it's also significant that they have a certain level of swimming skills before snorkelling at depths where they can't swim. They will therefore be in a much better position to be able to rescue themselves on land should they get into distress.

For this very reason, kids should never be left snorkelling alone, let alone unsupervised. Even though they may be good swimmers, things can quickly happen that are beyond their control and they may need help.

It's therefore also essential to teach them the importance of calm breathing when snorkelling. They need to learn to trust that the snorkel will do what it does best, as long as they stay calm and don't panic if, for example, water gets into their goggles or snorkel. We therefore recommend that they start snorkelling in shallow water where they can reach the bottom, so they can get comfortable using a snorkel in water.

The same calmness applies when learning to swim with fins. Whilst it gives them a lot more propulsion, they also use a lot more muscle power to kick in the water. Therefore, if they kick too fast and too hard, they risk cramping, which is never a good thing when you're in the water. Instead, they need to use quiet, calm and elongated movements, which really applies to all elements of snorkelling.

Remember sun protection

We understand that a snorkelling set for kids will have them spending hours in the water. We feel exactly the same way! But to avoid ruining your snorkelling trip, it's important to protect yourself from the sun's harmful UV rays. This is especially true for kids.

While a waterproof sunscreen can go a long way, it's rarely enough to protect kids' skin when they're in the water. In fact, 50% of the sunscreen will be washed off after 20 min. in the water, and thus 50% of the protection. And a 20-minute snorkelling trip? That's not enough time.

We would therefore recommend that kids also wear a kids' UV shirt when snorkelling. It protects against 99% of the sun's harmful UV rays, and it doesn't lose its protection by being in the water - no matter how long you're in the water.

Buy your snorkelling set for kids here at Watery.ie

We believe we have the best snorkelling sets for kids on the market. We pride ourselves on having only the highest quality products. For us, it's not just about comfort and durability, but also safety - especially when it comes to snorkelling equipment for kids.

That's why we recommend that you buy your kids' snorkelling set from us before you go on holiday and don't buy the cheap ones from abroad, as they are often of very questionable quality. In addition, they don't last very long, so they quickly end up costing the same as a good quality snorkelling set.

Of course, there are also a number of benefits when you shop with us:

• Free shipping on orders over €79
  
• 3-5 days delivery
• Our customer service is ready all weekdays from 8 AM to 10 PM

So what are you waiting for - find the snorkelling set your kid needs so you're ready for all the adventures that lie beneath the surface of the water.