BEST SNORKEL GEAR BAGS 2023

This Athletico snorkeling travel backpack is designed with a drawstring top, padded backpack straps, and quick-dry PVC-coated mesh. The adjustable sternum and waist straps add stability and help distribute weight, particularly if you’re hiking to snorkeling locations. The PVC mesh ensures proper ventilation of your gear making it an ideal for travelers. There’s an inner zip pocket where you can keep accessories separated from your snorkel gear, not to mention a large, outer zip pocket. The bag folds away for easy storage when not in use – convenient for travel by air or car. All in all, making it one of the best snorkel gear bags available. The drawbacks? The zippers are prone to issues and could be more durably designed.

TYPE: Mesh drawstring bag
DIMENSIONS: 29″ x 16″ x 16”
PRIMARY MATERIAL: Polyester mesh
FEATURES: Padded shoulder straps, sternum strap, drawstring top
IDEAL FOR: Easy wash down and dry/long walks/quick snorkel/international travel

Combining a mesh cinch bag with a roll-down dry bag, this unique snorkeling bag from Skog Å Kust is one of a kind. The 2-in-1 design might not be for everyone but it’s an ideal travel buddy. It weighs less than 10 ounces, perfect for a cruise, or for throwing into your luggage before an international flight. The exterior mesh cinch bag is made from polyester – ensuring your gear can dry effectively. Inside is a removable, waterproof snorkel bag that is constructed from PVC coated nylon and machine washable. Another perk? It features a reflective trim so you can easily identify it in low-light conditions. However, while it does have shoulder straps, they’re not the most comfortable or ideal for long treks. It’s also not the biggest of snorkeling bags but will do the job if you’re just looking to carry your snorkeling kit.

TYPE: Mesh drawstring bag
DIMENSIONS: 15” x 4″ x 2.5”
PRIMARY MATERIAL: Polyester mesh
FEATURES: Black zippered pocket, shoulder strap, drawstring top
IDEAL FOR: Easy wash down and dry/international travel/quick snorkel sessions

Designed with three separate compartments for your fins, mask, and snorkel, this highly-functional Akona bag received rave reviews as one of the best snorkel gear bags around. Rather than placing the mask compartment as an additional box, it’s now an integral part of the streamlined design and with a velcro closure for easy access. There are also several other compartments where you can stash your wallet and keys – plus a complimentary Akona towel comes with it. The non-corrosive zippers are sturdy and will withstand the constant exposure to water and salty sea breezes. The main drawback of this bag from snorkel bag reviews is that there’s only one small area of mesh at the bottom of the main compartment for ventilating your gear and drying it out between uses. Also, the bag is quite bulky and difficult to compact down when it’s time to fly.

TYPE: Shoulder bag
DIMENSIONS: 29” x 10.5” x 7”
PRIMARY MATERIAL: Polyester
FEATURES: Padded shoulder strap, streamlined design, non-corrosive zippers
IDEAL FOR: Heavy gear/long walks/quick snorkel sessions

Mares is one of the most trusted brands in the scuba diving and snorkeling world. And it’s no surprise their snorkeling bag makes our list of the best snorkeling bags on the market. Its robust design includes a PVC mesh net that ensures water can effectively drain away at the end of your snorkeling session. It features wide, adjustable straps that make it comfortable to hike with and it conveniently folds down when it’s time to fly. The large size means you can fit all your snorkeling gear and extra accessories in, while the lateral zipper allows you to access your equipment (even if the bag is completely packed). There are also external pockets for stashing extra equipment and/or accessories. The main negative feedback that’s come back in the reviews for the Mares is that the sternum strap is inconveniently positioned for some women.

TYPE: Backpack-style mesh drawstring bag
DIMENSIONS: 27” x 17” x 16”
PRIMARY MATERIAL: Polyester mesh
FEATURES: Zippered pocket, adjustable shoulder straps, drawstring top
IDEAL FOR: Easy wash down and dry/long walks/international travel

Large enough to carry all your snorkeling essentials and with the addition of a built-in dry pocket, this Stahlsac snorkeling bag is worth the slightly expensive price tag. It boasts padded shoulder straps so you can carry it for long distances to remote snorkeling beaches, and has conveniently positioned top and side carry handles. The snag-resistant mesh and 420-denier nylon ensure sturdiness while the carefully considered pockets mean you can keep all your gear organized. Like all of Stahlac’s dive and snorkel luggage, it’s designed to brave the ocean conditions (including salt spray and UV exposure). Making it undeniably one of the best snorkel gear bags on the market – at the higher end of the price range of course.

TYPE: Backpack-style snorkeling bag
DIMENSIONS: 30” x 17” x 17”
PRIMARY MATERIAL: Polyester mesh
FEATURES: Built-in dry pocket, padded shoulder straps, zippered splash-proof pocket, top, and side carry handles
IDEAL FOR: Easy wash down and dry/long walks/heavy gear/international travel

Uniquely designed as a duffel bag, this Kraken Aquatics snorkel bag is made almost entirely of mesh for guaranteed drainage. It also means you can rinse it down with fresh water to get rid of any sand, dirt, or saltwater when your gear is still inside. It’s spacious enough to fit all your snorkeling gear and comes with a conveniently placed storage pocket inside the bag (for any accessories you want to keep separate). The shoulder strap can be adjusted – particularly useful if the bag is fully loaded with gear – or you can use the carry straps. Compared to other mesh bags for snorkel gear on this list, it’s perhaps not quite as durable (think plastic snaps and D-rings).

TYPE: Duffel bag
DIMENSIONS: 30” x 13” x 13”
PRIMARY MATERIAL: Polyester mesh
FEATURES: Interior storage pocket, adjustable shoulder strap, convenient carry straps
IDEAL FOR: Easy wash down and dry/heavy gear/international travel

Fashioned out to give you enough space to store your snorkel set, fins, and whatnots, the Globetrotter by Akona is a fine piece of outdoor equipment that’s built to last.
For any traveling diver, this is the bag for you, since all of the essential diving and traveling equipment can fit in nicely within the Globetrotter.
Carefully made of waterproof polyester fabric, this carry-on backpack can be easily rinsed.
Thanks to the compression straps on the sides of the backpack, your fins will be nicely strapped in and ready to go.
There’s also a nifty little perforated hole on the bag so you can easily pull your earphones through and enjoy your travel to the max.

TYPE: Carry-on backpack
DIMENSIONS: 14” x 12” x 21”
PRIMARY MATERIAL: Polyester
FEATURES: Adjustable compression straps; External pockets;
IDEAL FOR: A quick rinse; short/long travels

Snorkeling bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes –  from simple mesh snorkel bags to snorkel backpacks with in-built dry bags and padded shoulder straps. Before you head out and buy the first one that catches your eye, it’s important to understand the various features available to select the best dry bag for your snorkeling needs.

In this guide, we’ll talk you through the different types of mesh snorkel bags that are available and their features. Aside from duffel bags and backpack-style designs, we’ll also cover the best snorkel mesh bags and dry bag combos.

Why purchase a snorkeling bag?

If you’ve done any snorkeling, you’ll know that carrying your fins, mask, and snorkel in your hands can be a tedious task. That’s not even taking into consideration your towel, sunscreen, and any other beach accessories that you plan on taking to your snorkeling destination. Most snorkel sets come with some form of a bag but these usually aren’t good for much else than carry the gear to your first snorkel destination.

A well-designed snorkeling bag is essential if you’re a regular beachgoer or plan on snorkeling during vacations. They’re also an invaluable accessory for those who find themselves regularly hiking to their snorkel destination. Chances are they’ll fit not only your fins, snorkel, and mask but also other beach essentials, with comfortable straps so you can get your gear from A to B. A snorkel bag will also ensure you can keep all your snorkeling gear in the one place when not in use. This means you won’t be left scraping it all together from various corners of the garage at the last minute.

Types of snorkeling bags:

Duffel snorkel bags

Duffel-style bags are a classic design for both snorkeling and scuba diving. With the main compartment, zipper access, and two carry handles they’re great for fitting in a lot of gear. They’re usually affordable due to the simple setup and some come with interior pockets for keeping your accessories separate. The lack of a rigid framework means you can easily squeeze the bag into small spaces. The main drawback of duffel bags is that they aren’t ideal for carrying over long distances.

Backpack snorkel bags

Backpack-style snorkel bags are rapidly becoming the preferred style. Allowing you to easily carry your gear to wherever you need it, they come in a wide range of sizes and designs. They include padded shoulder straps, easy-grab side handles, drawstring tops, and/or zippered access, plus additional pockets on the inside and out. Most come with some areas of mesh that ensure water drains out and air can ventilate your gear in between snorkeling sessions.

Mesh snorkel bags

Mesh snorkel bags are designed in a variety of shapes and styles, including duffel bags, backpack-style bags, and simple drawstring options. The mesh allows your gear to dry rapidly and means you can dunk the entire bag into freshwater to clean off any saltwater. They’re ideal if you’re predominantly snorkeling from a boat but (depending on their design) aren’t always the most comfortable for carrying your gear over long distances.

Dry bags

Dry bags are another option. Although they don’t offer any ventilation or water drainage. Alone they’re not ideal unless waterproofing your gear is the main objective. But when combined with a mesh snorkel bag in a 2-in-2 design, they can be a convenient option if you’re wanting to carry your keys, wallet, or phone during your snorkel excursions.

Things to consider when purchasing a snorkel gear bag:

Storage needs

Before purchasing a snorkel gear bag, consider your own storage needs and what you plan on carrying with you. If you just want a small bag to store your fins, mask, and snorkel, then a simple mesh drawstring bag will do the job. If you want to be able to carry a towel, sunscreen, and other beach accessories, then you’ll need something slightly bigger. The more you’re carrying, the sturdier the bag needs to be, so look for durable materials and rugged construction. You should also consider the type of carrying straps the snorkel bag has and how supportive they’ll be.

Size

Next, you can decide on your ideal snorkel gear bag size. This might be determined by the length of your fins, which will probably be the longest piece of equipment you’re carrying. After measuring your fins, ensure that the dimensions of the bag you’re considering will accommodate them, plus any other bulky items you plan on carrying. The preferred size of your snorkel bag may also be affected by flight carry-on requirements if you plan on regularly traveling by plane to snorkel destinations. Make sure the bag will fit securely within an overhead locker or can be accommodated within your check-in luggage.

Bag material, weight, and construction

Your snorkel bag must be made from a material that can withstand the constant exposure to the ocean and saltwater conditions. If not, it will only last a few years before having to be replaced. But bare in mind that durable materials and rugged constructions (think chunky zips and reinforced stitching) may make the bag heavier than some of its counterparts. Lightweight bags are a good option for snorkelers who are regularly traveling by plane and want to keep their luggage to a minimum. If weight is an issue, then you may have to compromise on some features or the bag’s durability when purchasing the ideal snorkeling gear bag.

Straps and handles

Snorkel bags come with a diverse range of strap and handle configurations, each appealing to different people. Consider a bag with padded straps if you’re planning on carrying it long distances, as well as easy-grab side handles for picking the bag up in a hurry. Adjustable straps will allow you to configure the bag to your body while sternum straps help to distribute the weight evenly. Flimsy or poorly designed straps may end up digging into your shoulders or causing back problems. Women should take particular note of snorkel gear bag reviews when it comes to sternum straps and how comfortably these secure around the chest area.

Compartments

Individual compartments are convenient for keeping your mask separate or storing other snorkeling accessories. More pockets usually mean a more expensive snorkeling gear bag but will help to protect your equipment in the long run. You can find snorkeling bags with both external and internal compartments, as well as those with in-built dry storage pockets for stashing your phone and wallet. Consider what you plan on carrying with you during your snorkeling excursions and whether the bag has the necessary compartments to meet those needs.

1. What different types of snorkel bags are there?

Snorkeling bags area available in a variety of different styles, from duffel-style gear bags to snorkel bag backpacks and mesh snorkel bags with in-built dry bags. Duffel-style bags are simple and affordable, with the main compartment, zipper access, and two carry hands. But they aren’t ideal for carrying over long distances if you’re trekking to and from snorkeling sites. Their main advantage is that they compact down well and can easily be stashed in small storage compartments or overhead lockers on planes.

Snorkel gear backpacks are one of the most preferred styles, thanks to their supportive straps that make them a great hiking companion. Many come with additional pockets (both inside and out) for storing gear, plus easy-grab side handles. It’s a good idea to read snorkeling backpack reviews to figure out which features are worth paying for and which ones aren’t.

Both duffel and backpack-style snorkeling bags are usually designed with some amount of mesh that allows water to drain freely. Mesh snorkel bags ensure that air can ventilate throughout the bag and your snorkeling gear will dry quickly in between sessions. You can also find a mesh snorkel bag with an in-built dry bag, which is ideal for storing wallets, phones, and keys. A dry bag on its own is another option, although it won’t provide any ventilation or water drainage. The best dry bag for snorkeling will depend on how much gear you want to store inside, whether it’s just your valuables or your entire snorkel set.

2. Why use a mesh bag to keep snorkel gear?

A mesh snorkel bag is a great choice as it will allow air to freely flow through the bag and dry your snorkel gear after each snorkeling session. Snorkel mesh bags can also be dunked in freshwater with all of your snorkel gear inside. This allows you to wash off any sand, dirt, and/or saltwater, without having to fiddle around with individual pieces of equipment. The best snorkeling gear bag will always incorporate some area of mesh where water can drain, coupled with a durable nylon material that will last for many years. If you’re looking to keep your gear completely dry in between snorkel sessions, then look for the best dry bag for snorkeling you can afford or a 2-in-1 design that also incorporates a mesh bag.

As always, we create our content with you, fellow adventurers, in mind. So, how’d we do? Did you find this informative? Did it help you make a decision? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you below. Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one!