Snorkeling is a wonderful way to explore the beauty and diversity of marine life. It is one of the most enjoyable activities that you can do on your vacation, whether you are in Bonaire, Hawaii, or any other exotic destination. But before you dive into the water, you need to have the right equipment. Snorkeling gear consists of a mask, a snorkel, and fins. You can buy your gear or rent it from a local shop. So, how much does it cost to rent snorkel gear?
The answer depends on several factors, such as the location, the quality, and the rental duration. Generally, renting snorkel gear is cheaper than buying it, primarily if you only use it once or twice. However, renting also has disadvantages, such as availability, hygiene, and fit.
According to some surveys and personal experience, the average cost of renting snorkel gear ranges from $5 to $50 per day, depending on the type and quality of the gear. Some shops may offer discounts for longer rentals or for groups. You may also have to pay a deposit or leave an ID as a security measure.
How Much Does it Cost to Rent Snorkel Gear? Prices & Problems
Like the price of just about anything else, snorkel gear rental can vary widely depending on your location. It stands to reason that renting a car, a boat, or a house would be higher in regions where similar services (restaurants, snorkel excursions, hotels, etc.) would be more expensive. Subleasing typically costs less in less costly areas.
The cost of renting snorkeling gear depends on several factors, such as the location, the quality, and the duration of the rental. One of the main factors is the cost of living index (CLI), which measures how expensive or cheap it is to live in a particular area. The CLI considers various aspects, such as rent, groceries, and transportation. The higher the CLI, the higher the prices of goods and services, including snorkeling gear rental.
To illustrate this point, we have selected three popular snorkeling destinations worldwide, each with a different CLI. These are Honolulu (Hawaii), Barcelona (Spain), and Bali (Indonesia). We have researched the average cost of renting snorkeling gear in each location and compiled the following data:
| Example Area | Honolulu, Hawaii | Barcelona, Spain | Bali, Indonesia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 95.14 | 64.41 | 45.91 |
| Average Mask & Snorkel Rental (Daily) | $8 | $5 | $3 |
| Average Mask & Snorkel Rental (Weekly) | $35 | $22 | $15 |
| Moderate Mask, Snorkel & Fins Rental (Daily) | $16 | $10 | $7 |
| Average Mask, Snorkel & Fins Rental (Weekly) | $42 | $27 | $18 |
Snorkel gear rentals are often available daily or weekly, with fees varying accordingly. Masks, snorkels, and fins (“snorkel sets“) can usually be rented separately or together. Spend the extra money on a complete snorkeling set; you’ll have a far better experience under the water.
The cost of renting snorkel gear may depend on the cost of living in your chosen destination. For example, in Honolulu, a snorkeling set may cost you about $16 per day or $42 per week. In Barcelona (or the nearby Costa Brava), you may pay around $10 per day or $27 per week. In Bali, you may find a snorkeling set for as low as $7 per day or $18 per week.
These prices reflect the different cost of living indexes for these three cities—Honolulu (high), Barcelona (medium), and Bali (low).
You can use the valuable website Numbeo to compare the cost of living indexes of different places. This can help you estimate how much you will pay for snorkel gear in your chosen destination. You can also check the quality and availability of the equipment before you rent it.
What to Know about Renting Snorkel Gear
Having your snorkel equipment, whether you buy it or rent it, gives you the freedom to go Snorkeling whenever you like. You can snorkel from the shore in many places throughout the world, and most snorkel trips will even offer the necessary equipment for you to do so.
There are, however, some things to consider when renting snorkeling equipment.
Should I Rent Snorkel Gear Weekly or Daily?
The cost of renting snorkel gear depends on how often and long you plan to use it.
If you want to snorkel for more than three days during your trip, you should rent a snorkel set for a week. This way, you will pay less than renting it daily.
But if you only need a mask and a snorkel, you can save money by renting them daily. However, you will miss out on the fun of using fins, which are part of a complete snorkel set.
Therefore, we recommend that you rent a complete snorkel set, either daily or weekly, depending on your snorkeling schedule.
Can I Rent Snorkel Gear if I Need Prescription Eyewear?
In the end, it’s not possible to wear glasses generally while wearing a snorkel mask, and contacts are strongly advised.
The situation is a bit precarious regarding snorkeling equipment for those who don’t have 20/20 eyesight.
Renting a prescription snorkel mask will typically add 10-15% to your overall cost (but it may be more challenging to get in less-developed places). Some people, those with the same prescription in each eye, benefit significantly from using these masks, while others find them less than ideal.
It becomes somewhat intricate. Check out Can You Snorkel With Glasses? for further details. There are several alternatives for Snorkeling, both in terms of renting equipment and bringing your own, detailed in 7 Fantastic Ways to View the Seafloor.
Do I Need Better Quality Snorkel Gear?
The snorkeling equipment that is available for rent is usually of mediocre quality. That’s the way things are.
If you’re only going to go snorkeling twice in the next five years, it’s probably best to rent equipment rather than buy it. But if you want to swim more frequently than that, it soon pays for itself to invest in your own set of snorkeling equipment.
Not only is snorkeling equipment relatively cheap compared to other active sports (especially when compared to scuba diving), but the difference in quality between renting snorkeling equipment and buying your own can be substantial.
There is potential for increased security and convenience. You can choose between high-quality masks with double-lined silicone skirts that reduce water leakage and mask fogging or “dry snorkels” with a specific valve at the top that keeps water out of your snorkel. Even still allowing you to breathe generally if you buy your equipment.
Soon after my first few snorkeling experiences, I realized that it was something I could picture myself regularly doing, so I went out and bought my equipment. It has paid off tremendously. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time conducting research the first time around, so I made the following guides to make it easier for you to select the appropriate snorkel equipment:
- What Snorkel Gear Should I Buy? The Full Guide to Getting Started Affordably (for your basics like masks, snorkels, and a bunch of other stuff you probably haven’t thought of)
- Best Snorkel Gear for Travel: 7 Top Masks, Cameras & More (for the best gear if you want to be able to travel with it easily)
- The Best Underwater Action Cameras for Snorkeling: GoPro & More (a must-have item if you plan on snorkeling even somewhat regularly — it’s made me want to go even more)
- The Best Snorkel Gear for Kids: Masks, Fins, Snorkels & More (if you have kids and would like to share the magic of Snorkeling with them)
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Snorkeling is one of my favorite activities when I travel. I love to explore the underwater world and see amazing creatures and colors. It is like entering a different realm.
To enjoy snorkeling, you need some equipment. You can either buy your own or rent it from a local shop. The rental price depends on where you are and what you need. A snorkel set includes a mask, a snorkel, and fins. A mask and a snorkel are the essential items. The rental price for a snorkel set ranges from $18 to $42 per week, depending on the cost of living in the area. The rental price for a mask and a snorkel only ranges from $15 to $35 per week.
Renting snorkel equipment may only suit some. If you wear glasses or plan to snorkel more often in the future, you should invest in your own equipment. You can choose the best quality and fit for your needs.
This is the end of our article on the cost to rent snorkel gear?. We hope you found it helpful and informative. If you have any feedback or suggestions, please let us know in the comments section. We would love to hear from you.
