Snorkel set for kids (4-16 years)

Does your child dream of exploring life beneath the ocean's surface? Then a good snorkel set for kids is the perfect place to start. At Watery.ie, we have Ireland's largest selection of snorkel sets for children – chosen with a focus on fit, safety, and fun in the water.

Whether the trip is heading south or to the Irish coast, a children's snorkel set opens up a whole underwater world full of colors and fascination. The Irish marine life can be just as exciting as southern coral reefs, once your child has the right gear in their beach bag.

Here you'll find snorkel sets for kids with and without flippers – all depending on your child's age and experience. The selection is wide, and you can choose from popular brands like Beco, Aqualung, and our own brand, Watery, which combines high quality with a sharp price. Whatever you're looking for, chances are good that you'll find it among our many different types of snorkel sets.

Snorkel sets for kids – what's included?

When you're looking for the right snorkel set for your child, you'll quickly discover that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. At Watery.ie, we offer Ireland's largest selection of snorkel sets for children – and that means plenty of choices.

Three types of snorkel sets we sell:

There are generally three types of snorkel sets for kids at Watery – depending on how much equipment is included:

• Mask + snorkel: Perfect for beginners learning the basics.

• Mask + snorkel + flippers: A complete set for kids who want to move quickly and easily in the water.

• Extended sets with nose clip, net bag, or anti-fog coating: For kids with specific needs or a bit more experience.

They come in a variety of colors and designs – from subtle blues and blacks to wild neon colors and sea creature themes – and in sizes that fit from about 4 years up to 12+ years.

Our most popular brands of snorkel sets

We only sell snorkel gear we can stand behind – and that goes especially for children's products. You can confidently choose from:

• Watery – our own brand and the best-selling. Focus on function, fit, and affordable quality.

• Beco – a popular choice among many parents. Known for its child-friendly sizes and good comfort.

• Aqualung – high quality and durable materials for the more active snorkeler.

All brands are tested and selected by our experts, who have personal experience with snorkeling and children's water education.

Get expert help in choosing the right snorkel set

Are you unsure about what suits your child best? We've gathered the best snorkel sets for different needs and age groups in our guide with snorkel recommendations. It's made in collaboration with our product specialists and based on concrete test experiences and customer reviews.

Comparison of snorkel sets for kids

How to choose the right snorkel set for your child

A snorkel set for kids must first and foremost fit the child's age, height, and experience with water. It should be easy to use, fit comfortably – and most importantly: be safe. With the right set, the underwater experience becomes a breeze, while a wrong choice can create insecurity or irritation.

Here's a concrete guide on what to look for when choosing snorkel gear for your child:

1. Snorkel sets for kids should match age and height

A snorkel set is not universal – and certainly not for children. Children's head shape, lung capacity, and comfort level in water vary greatly with age, so it's important to choose a set that is tailored to the child's developmental stage.

• Children under 145 cm should use a children's snorkel, as an adult snorkel can be too long and therefore risky.

• Most children start snorkeling at 4–5 years old. At that age, sets covering 4–8 years are recommended, such as the Beco Ari snorkel set.

• Always choose snorkel gear with clearly indicated age range and child-specific fit.

2. Diving mask for kids should fit snugly and feel comfortable

A good diving mask for kids should seal completely around the eyes – even when the child moves in the water. The silicone edge should form a tight seal without pinching or chafing.

Important points when choosing a mask:

• It must not be too big or too small

• It should be easy to adjust

• The silicone edge should feel soft and tight without leaks

Masks with nose coverage are often the best choice, as they help the child avoid breathing through the nose while snorkeling.

3. Snorkel length should match children's lungs

The snorkel is one of the most important parts of the snorkel gear – especially for children. A snorkel that's too long can mean the child can't exchange air properly, leading to a buildup of CO₂. Therefore, it's crucial to choose a snorkel specifically made for children.

Always check:

• If the snorkel is CE-approved for children (All our snorkel sets are)

• That it fits the child's age range

• That it's easy to attach and keep in place

4. Snorkel sets for kids with flippers and heel strap

If your child should have flippers in the set, we clearly recommend models with a heel strap. They can be adjusted as the child's feet grow and provide good propulsion in the water without being too tight.

You can find flippers for kids both as part of complete snorkel sets and as individual products.

5. Snorkel gear for kids should be easy to use

Ease of use is crucial for children. A good snorkel set for kids should be easy to put on and take off – even without help from adults. The easier it is to use, the more eager the child will be to explore life beneath the surface.

Particularly useful features:

• Click system for the snorkel

• Easily adjustable buckles on the mask

• Flexible heel straps on flippers

6. Nose clip or diving mask with nose coverage for kids

Many children forget that they shouldn't breathe through their nose when snorkeling – and this can quickly cause discomfort. Therefore, we generally recommend a diving mask with nose coverage, as it completely removes the problem.

If your child already has a pair of goggles for kids without a nose piece, a nose clip can be a good and affordable solution that makes a big difference.

A snorkel set or a diving mask - what should you choose?

Whether to buy a snorkel set for kids or just a diving mask or goggles depends entirely on how the child uses it.

A snorkel set is meant for them to lie calmly on the water's surface and soak up the wonders of the sea while slowly moving forward. Of course, it's possible to dive into the water from time to time; but the purpose of a snorkel is not to be more under than above water.

If you have a child who just loves to dive and spends most of their time underwater, then a pair of good goggles or a diving mask for kids might be just fine. However, we would recommend that they still use a pair of flippers – or to make it really fun – maybe a mermaid tail. Mostly because it helps them move faster underwater, so they get the most out of it before they need to come up for air. If your child needs strength, we also have diving masks with strength for kids.

How to teach your child to snorkel - the right way

When children learn to snorkel, it's not just about the right equipment – it's largely about creating security and respect for the water. Children quickly get absorbed in play, so it's important that they have a certain level of swimming skills, before snorkeling in depths where they can't touch the bottom. This gives them better conditions to react if something unexpected happens – and in the worst case, save themselves to safety.

Therefore, children should never snorkel alone – even if they are good swimmers. Water conditions can change quickly, and it's not always that children can handle it themselves.

We recommend starting snorkel training in shallow water where the child can touch the bottom. Here they can calmly get used to the equipment and learn the most important things first:

• To breathe calmly and evenly through the snorkel

• To blow water out if a little gets in

• To trust that the equipment works – and not to panic

This calmness is also important when the child learns to use flippers. Fins can give a great sense of propulsion, but if the child uses too strong or fast kicks, they risk quickly getting tired – or in the worst case, getting cramps. Instead, teach them to use long, stretched, and calm leg kicks, which are both more effective and far less strenuous.

At Watery.ie, we have helped thousands of Irish families with everything from swimming gear to good snorkeling advice for over 7 years. Our product specialists and customer service help hundreds of parents daily with precisely these questions – and we know how much difference the right equipment and guidance can make.

With the right learning, patience, and safe environments, snorkeling can become a fantastic and educational experience – both for children and their parents.

Remember protection from the sun

We fully understand that a snorkel set for kids will have them spending hours on the water's surface. We feel the same way! But to not ruin their snorkeling trip, it's important to protect against the sun's harmful UV rays. This is especially true for children.

Although you can get far with a waterproof sunscreen, it's rarely enough to protect children's skin when they're in the water. In fact, 50% of the sunscreen will be washed away after 20 minutes in the water, and thus 50% of the protection. And a 20-minute snorkeling trip? That's way too short.

We therefore recommend that children also wear a UV shirt for kids when snorkeling. 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.

Buy your snorkel set for kids here at Watery.ie

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

That's why we also recommend buying your snorkel set for kids from us before you go on holiday, and not buying the cheap ones abroad, as they are often of very questionable quality. Additionally, they don't last very long, so it quickly ends up costing the same as a good quality snorkel set.

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

• 3 - 5 days delivery, on weekdays.
• Free shipping on purchases over €79.
• Customer support from 08:00 - 22:00 on weekdays
• 100 % price match so you can get the best at the best price

So what are you waiting for – find the snorkel set your child needs, so you're ready for all the adventures that lie beneath the water's surface.