Swimming flippers should be tight enough so that they fit snug but not painfully tight and when fitted properly the swimming flippers should allow for some movement but tight enough to prevent slippage and loose enough to prevent chafing.
The swimming flippers or swim fins should fit snugly on the feet such as like a good pair of hiking boots but they should not be so tight that they cause any cramping or discomfort.
To choose swim fins or swim flippers for beginners look for and purchase or use full foot fins or full foot swim flippers that have flexible blades for ease of use and comfort which allows you to focus on the kicking and technique without putting excessive pressure on your feet.
When looking for swim fins when you're a beginner look for softer and more flexible blades on the swim fins as they are much easier to use and will not jab into the foot when kicking.
It's recommended that any beginner uses full foot swim fins because the pressure is better distributed throughout your foot and makes the kicking easier and more comfortable.
When you're a more experienced swimmer the open heel fins are often better or when you have wider ankles.
Also ensure that the swim fins fit snugly on your feet but not too tight as when the swim fins are too tight it can cause discomfort during long swimming sessions and measure your foot length to ensure you get the proper fit and also consider the the swim fins may feel tight initially but should also get looser with use.
Also choose swim fins made from durable and comfortable materials like swim fins made from soft thermo rubber for the foot pocket.
Some good swim fins for beginners are the Mares Avanti Super Channel Full Foot Fins, Cressi Pro Light Fins, Aeris Velocity Full Foot Fins, Cressi Light Short Swim Full Foot Fins and Finis Zoomer Gold Training Fins.
Swim fins and flippers are the same when speaking in the context of swimming and water sports.
Although they can differ when referring to the types of diving fins used but even then they are nearly the same thing.
Swim fins and flippers are terms used interchangeably to describe the fin like accessories which are worn on your feet to help in propulsion through the water.
Flippers is the term most commonly used in casual and recreational contexts such as swimming and snorkeling in warmer waters and fins is more prevalent in technical and professional diving circles.
The difference between flippers and fins when it comes to diving is that flippers are often the full foot type of shoe fins.
And fins just mainly refer to the broader category of underwater propulsion devices.
Fins is an umbrella term that describes any device that is used to propel someone through water and also refers to both snorkeling fins and diving fins.
And flippers is often used in describing full foot fins that are worn like shoes and are popular for both warm water diving and snorkeling.
Swim fins and flippers are essentially the same thing although flippers can sometimes be stiffer than swim fins depending on the type of flippers you use.
Swim fins increase the surface area of your feet and helps you push more water and move faster.
The swim fins help you develop a stronger kick and improve your ankle flexibility and they help you maintain a higher body line that improves your body position.
Fins are better for snorkeling as they allow you to move more quickly and efficiently through the water.
Snorkeling fins are also designed to maximize efficiency in shallow water and allow you to move through the water with minimal effort while staying near the surface.
The difference between snorkeling fins and diving fins are diving fins are stiffer and heavier than snorkeling fins.
Snorkeling fins are shorter and lighter and are designed for efficient kicking at the surface of the water due to the paddle like blade.
It is hard to snorkel without flippers as the flippers help you propel through and maneuver through the water.
It's much easier to move around and push yourself forward when wearing fins or flippers when snorkeling, especially in currents.
Without flippers you will often need to use your arms to swim more which can tire you out more quickly.
You will have to work harder to move through the water without flippers or fins.
Snorkeling fins are called swim fins or diving fins or even flippers which are worn on the feet for propulsion through the water.
The best fins for snorkeling are comfortable fitting snorkeling fins that fits your feet and hugs your feet without squeezing.
You should also consider the blade design for propulsion, flexibility of material and whether or not you require adjustable straps and other features.
You should try the snorkeling fins on before you purchase to ensure they fit the best.
The kind of fin that you will be buying in snorkeling are full foot style fins which fit snugly like a shoe and are lightweight, efficient and well suited for most conditions of snorkeling.
You can also use open heel fins for snorkeling which allow you to wear dive boots for colder water or added protection.
The best size fins for snorkeling are small sized fins for beginners and larger sized fins are best for experienced snorkelers or when you need to swim against currents or go longer distances.
Bigger fins are better for snorkeling if you need more propulsion to cover long distances or to swim against currents.
However bigger fins can be harder to maneuver and may not be ideal for beginner snorkelers to wear or in shallow waters.
Smaller fins are more versatile and easier to control for most situations of snorkeling and if you're a beginner.
When snorkeling you wear fins on your feet to help you swim through the waters.
Some models of fins can be worn along with water shoes and the fins are an extension of your feet.
If wearing socks you should wear Aqua socks.
You should not snorkel when the weather is bad such as when there's heavy rain, high winds, high surf, strong current or heavy shorebreak.
You should also not snorkel in murky water or if you're feeling sick or unwell or have any medical concerns.
If you're not comfortable with the water conditions or you're not accompanied by someone else for safety reasons you should not snorkel.
When snorkeling you should avoid touching any sea creatures or coral reefs as doing so can harm them.
Also don't touch any fish or even chase fish and don't touch sea turtles, dolphins or sea floor sediment.
Stirring up any sea floor sediment can harm marine life.
The best color to wear while snorkeling is bright yellow or fluorescent orange as they are the most visible colors underwater and make you easily noticeable to others, especially if you're in murky water.
However just note that very bright colors can attract some marine life to you.
With a snorkel and flippers you can dive down to around 10 to 15 feet depending on your comfort level and breath holding ability.
For deeper dives you will require scuba gear and a tank of oxygen for breathing.
The greatest danger to snorkelers is drowning which can occur due to ocean surges, strong currents, shallow water blackout, inhaling water, cardiac arrest, being struck by a watercraft or colliding with a coral reef.