Last Updated on July 9, 2024 by Snorkel Ken
Travel fins are shorter fins that are more manageable to pack. They’re usually the better travel companions when going on a trip or on vacation with your snorkel gear. Some people prefer long and standard sized fins, while others opt for no fins at all when snorkeling. You can read a comparison of the fin lengths and sizes here.
However, short fins also have their advantages and disadvantages in the water as well.
Advantages:
- Pack easy
- Easier to maneuver in the water
- Easy to get on and off in the water.
- Price is usually lower for smaller fins.
Disadvantages:
- Less distance and speed per kick than standard and long fins.
- Less buoyancy for your legs in the water so that if your swimming over coral it will be more difficult to not scrape. Believe me, it hurts to kick or get scraped my coral.
- Personally, I feel safer with standard or long fins in the water, especially in choppy water or snorkel spots that require more than just floating around and short swims.
Allow me to elaborate on that last disadvantage: If you’re in choppy water or get caught in a rip tide or strong current, then you’ll need to be able to get out of danger. At that point, you’ll need all the power, distance and speed that your kicks can take you. That’s why I prefer the longer snorkel fins.
Don’t get me wrong, if you’re going to be snorkeling at a spot with little to no ocean movement, then you’ll be okay in travel fins. As much as I snorkel, though, I like to be prepared. And it really only comes down to that: Your personal preference. Like I stated, some people prefer not to wear fins at all but that’s just not me. To me it’s a safety thing and we take safe snorkeling and water activities very seriously here.
