Oceanic Ultra Dry Snorkel

Well designed system held back by drag.The Oceanic Ultra Dry Snorkal is actually the reduced mouthpiece version. This is not listed in the description, but was actually welcomed because sometimes large mouthpieces don't fit everyone. The "dry" closing mechanism works pretty well. I've used it in rough surf and it closes well. I've found though with repeated waves all the dry snorkels will not keep all water out because the mechanism needs to be fully engulfed in water in order to close. If you get splashed water can easily bypass the dry mechanism. My main gripe with this snorkel is that the mouth piece protrudes too far forward and produces a lot of drag when moving through the water, so much that it can pull right out of the mouth if swimming at anything faster than floating around. Having said that the mouthpiece is incredibly soft and comfortable and the dry snorkel works as advertised. If you are looking for a dry snorkel and take snorkeling at a leisurely pace this may be a good fit for you. If you cover a lot of distance however you may want to look at other options.- Great for beginners- Soft mouthpiece- Snorkel works as advertisedNegative - front of snorkel excessively protrudes causing drag.

I'm getting the hang of this but as an "old timer" I tend to use the old way of just puffing air to clear a snorkel. I have to say it looks great and it's quality is outstanding BUT if you are on the surface and this snorkel rides back on the mask strap AND you are low in the water (as I always am) if the tip should go under just a little it slams shut (as it was designed). Unfortunately if you have just finished an exhalation!!!!! you can't take a breath which can be a bit disconcerting. I've only used this on two dives but I have put my old Dacor snorkel back in my dive bag.....and it sure isn't as pretty as this one!

Well, frankly, I believe I'm going to have to send it back (and would appreciate any feedback as to how to accomplish that). At first it seemed "Ultra Dry" but, since my first time using it, it "comes and goes." Sometimes it will stay dry when I go underwater and others it does not. Indeed, when water gets in it and I come up, it is harder to clear than a scuba regulator or regular snorkel. I had a "dry" snorkel before this and was having the same problem which is why I ordered this Ultra Dry. Perhaps the reason it is so hard to clear is that the mechanism that is SUPPOSED to keep the water out keeps the water IN!!?? And, since we'll be snorkeling in the ocean at St. Lucia in June this is most decidedly unacceptable!

This snorkel is clearly Made with better quality Silicone and materials than some of the US divers and other brands cheaper Versions of Dry snorkels but I was expecting it to be a little better. I had to purge water That was getting into the snorkel more often than I would prefer. In short, the technology being used in this snorkel is the same dry technology that's used in other lower end snorkels but the material it was made with is much better so it will probably last longer. It also has a nice clip that detaches from the snorkel by pushing down on a little button which makes it Disconnect. This connecting and disconnecting clip makes life easier when your finished snorkeling or when you're getting your gear on.

Most of the time, it is truly a dry snorkel. I use it for swimming in the pool. Occasionally I still got some problem. But it is not the fault of the Snorkel. So, I would need to reorient the snorkel, mask and clean the bottom to make sure the seal is tight. This is one of the best snorkel I have experienced. In my younger days, I snorkel a lot in oceans looking for fish and turtles. When the water gets in; please do NOT panic, just paddle with your feet and then remove the mask and snorkel CAREFULLY (do NOT lose them!) Let the water out, clear the path and reinstall on your face.

First off, I read several good and bad reviews before purchasing this snorkel. I felt the bad reviews I had read were probably more user than product. After usage, I feel there are two main things to consider with this product: the comfort of the mouthpiece and the dryness of the snorkel.Many other complaints focused on the relative discomfort of the mouthpiece and complained that it made their jaws hurt after prolonged usage. I have not used it for more than about an hour at a time yet, but I would agree that this could be an issue. While you can replace the mouthpiece with one purchased from somewhere else, you shouldn't have to, and I could easily see this causing discomfort after a couple of hours. I was very aware of my jaw muscles after only an hour.The one way valve at the bottom of the snorkel is junk. If you get any water at all inside of the snorkel, which you will, you have to give a solid puff of air to expel it. You don't have to expel a column of water with prolonged effort, but it's enough. There are several other semi-dry snorkels which, in my opinion, surpass this one because the water goes out the bottom just by breathing. That doesn't happen here - you just keep sucking air through the water trapped in the bottom until you make the conscious effort to get rid of it, and most of the water seems to go out the top when you do. You actually have to pause and breathe ever so gently to avoid breathing water, take in a breath, and exhale forcefully to clear it out. It's not difficult, but it is not effortless.The last area of focus for me is the valve at the top. Some people said that theirs fell off. If this is so, I would say that was a manufacturer's defect that has since been corrected; I grabbed mine and pulled with a little more force than I could reasonably expect it might encounter in normal transportation (maybe pulling out of a bag or getting caught on another piece of equipment outside of actually snorkeling) and it didn't budge. No problem there.Other than the removal of the valve, I read that it can get stuck when you get sand in it, etc... I think these reports may be a little off, although I have my own complaints. My top valve did get stuck (I tried to get it stuck as soon as I got it) but I think it's more from the creation of negative pressure than something getting in there. If you expect it to be open and it's not, this can be off putting since you're trying to breathe and your first instinct is not to exhale forcefully when inhaling. It's not pleasant when it happens. It does keep water out when it comes over the top of it (waves, etc). However, if you for any reason don't keep the tube upright the valve will do exactly the opposite of what it's supposed to do and let a bunch of water in unexpectedly. This includes looking up while you're submerged or inverting yourself underwater.Between the tiresome mouthpiece, poor design of the bottom valve, and the top valve getting stuck occasionally, this earns about 4 stars. Since this is designed for use in water, I honestly would expect some water to get inside, but the bottom valve really seems like an afterthought so the manufacturer could say they have it. They claim that this is the only "dry" snorkel, but I would argue that they fell short of that and only classify it as "semi-dry". These complaints are not huge, but the truth is that they shouldn't exist; it's not like they couldn't fix them.

Does what it says in the description. The ease with which the valve closes when you move your head too far left or right is a bit un-nerving at first but you soon get used to it

This one keeps the water out. Best snorkel I've ever used. Works still at 5m depth and deeper without letting water in

Perfectly happy with this snorkel but the "ultra dry" mechanism does take a bit of getting used to (bit disconcerting when, for a second or two, you can't breath through it!)

Have used this now on a number of holidays really good bit of kit. No water has ever gone down the wrong way.Quick delivery would recommend.

Better than any I have tried before. Other reviewers say the mouthpiece is rather big but my 7 year old granddaughter found it so good she wants me to buy her one. Gurgles can be a bit worrying for little ones but she loved using the Ultra Dry.