Do I Need A Wet Suit And Snorkeling Belt?

A weight belt is not necessary for snorkeling, as proper breath control allows for diving down and staying down. However, when properly used, weight belts can make diving down more convenient but also pose a risk of overweighting oneself. The only reason to wear a weight belt is when freediving down to see underwater creatures, take pictures, and see ledges.

Wetsuits are generally not needed when snorkeling, especially in tropical regions where water doesn’t experience seasonal changes. Most people will need at least a few pounds of weight while snorkeling to help sink down into the water and enjoy the underwater world. It is generally better to be overweight with a wetsuit or drysuit. Drysuits are only necessary in cold water, like the Silfra Fissure in Iceland, where the water temperature is only 2-4 C (35-39 F) all year round.

In normal conditions, it is harder to dive down when wearing a wet suit. If you are a good swimmer and want to explore cracks in the coral or meet sleeping sharks, a weight belt may be necessary. However, only use a weight belt when using a wetsuit or other equipment that gives you positive buoyancy. Neoprene wetsuits, even 1mm suits, can make you unsinkable.

Without a wetsuit, weights should be used until you have a chance to check your buoyancy and adjust the weight accordingly. Experiment with weights and use easy-to-remove weights for your belt to make adjustments during underwater activities.