It might be winter now, but it’s never too late to get ready for summer. This is especially true if you’re a snorkeling enthusiast. And every good snorkeling enthusiast needs a decent snorkeling set. In terms of the best such sets for 2019, few names get as mentioned as Cressi and their latest product, the Cressi Palau.

What Is Cressi Palau?

Cressi Palau is a set of snorkeling gear which includes two adjustable short fins, a durable mask, and a high-quality snorkel. Alongside these, you’ll also get a handy bag which you’ll use to carry them with you anywhere, easily.

A Bit About Cressi

Since 1946, Cressi has been manufacturing high-quality products that ocean enthusiasts can enjoy. Normally they focus on four major areas – swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, and spearfishing.

Based in Genoa, Italy, Cressi has a dedicated following worldwide. That’s largely due to how inventive their products can be. Most of us remember their stunning Pinocchio mask and their Rondine freediving fin. The people of Cressi love innovation and the Palau set is another step in that direction.

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Cressi Palau Snorkel Set Analysis & Test Results

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The Onda Mask

Normally, every new Cressi set gets a simple Onda single tempered glass mask. One look at it, and we can safely say that it isn’t meant for serious scuba diving. That’s because its field of vision is a bit weaker than other commercially sold masks out there. However, it gets the job done perfectly during intense snorkeling sessions.

In addition, the Onda mask has a clear 100% silicone double-gasketed skirt. It’s soft, so it doesn’t injure your skin while you use it, and it fits perfectly. On top of that, we swam around with it for a while and during that whole time, it didn’t leak once. Not to mention that we haven’t had a single fogging problem as we did with other masks. Your eyes might not see everything while using this product, but they’ll be safe from the sea water. 

The Supernova Dry Snorkels

These snorkels have also become a standard in Cressi snorkeling sets, mostly because of how durable, useful, and sleek they are. We tested them during rather strong waves and even tried going down to the ocean floor. Not once did they let any water through the breathing tube. But then again, snorkeling without a good snorkel is impossible.

The Gear Bag

The Cressi Palau set comes with a porous mesh bag. The material is sturdy and designed for in-bag rinsing, though it’s not as good at this as other bags on the market. It is, however, a perfect way to take your snorkeling set with you everywhere you go.

The Palau Rondine Fins

Now we’re getting to the good stuff. Nothing makes snorkeling as awesome as a decent pair of fins. Especially if those fins can go on any pair of underwater shoes. So let’s see what Cressi Palau has in way of shortfin goodness.

Compact and Ready to Go

One look at these beauties, and you can tell they’re short fins. Normally short fins produce little power, considering their size. And we can assure you, most other short fins on the market fit that description. But not Cressi Palau Rondine fins.

If you prefer shallow snorkeling, don’t be surprised when you hear a lot of noise using these. They are just as strong as any full-size set of fins can be. Not to mention they’re short enough NOT to snatch the ocean floor, allowing you to explore the coral reef without a problem. In addition, they’re very light, so you can carry them with you anywhere.

Naturally, we didn’t just test these babies while snorkeling. In fact, they’ve proven themselves great during canoeing, rafting, surfing, and windsurfing. Truly a multi-purpose tool, but there’s far more to them than just that.

Behold, the Backstrap!

The moment we saw the backstrap, we were a bit skeptical. After all, any fin that advertises multiple shoe fits can’t be telling the truth, right?

We were glad to be wrong. Buckling the backstrap, we got four different shoe sizes, and they fit nearly every single member that joined us on our test swim. So if your friend happens to forget their pair of fins, you can lend them yours. They merely have to strap it to their foot. But that’s still not all! The fins have added adjustment room. This helps them accommodate thicker clothing and diving boots.

The buckle itself doesn’t use buttons, but crank-ridges. We managed to tighten them easily every time, and every time we did they held in place. Not one fin was lost at sea! It’s always a welcome change to have a product that’s easy to use but hard to break.

And speaking of “easy to use”, it’s important to note that the Cressi Palau fins click on and off even under water. Naturally, they do it on dry land faster, but they definitely get bonus points for this. After all, tying and tightening anything underwater is a chore. Especially if it’s something you really don’t want to lose.

Before we finish talking about the backstrap, we ought to mention one more detail it has. You’ll notice a security ring on it, which allows you to attach it to one of your leggings. You can also attach it to various other diving equipment if you want to, just to be on the safe side.

Pros of the Cressi Palau Snorkeling Set

Now that we have a good idea of what this set can do, let’s sum up the reasons why you ought to have a pair.

1.         The set is highly durable;
2.         Using the snorkel during strong waves doesn’t affect it negatively;
3.         The short fins are perfect for diving close to the ocean floor;
4.         The whole set is lightweight;
5.         You also get a bag to carry everything in it.

Potential Flaws of the Cressi Palau Set

Cressi prides themselves on excellence, but even the best of brands have setbacks. So let’s focus on the fins first.

The Cressi Palau fins can be a bit on the stiff side. Naturally, the fins have a decent sturdiness to them, but too much sturdiness can hinder your swimming. We personally didn’t feel it, but if that’s something you don’t want in your fins, feel free to buy a different set.

Then there’s the set as a whole. While we did test it in slightly restless water, we would still recommend not using any part of the set in a strong current. That would require sturdier professional gear.

In addition, we already mentioned that the mask has a weak field of vision. Snorkelers who want a decent peripheral vision will not like the Onda mask this set has to offer. This is because the heavy-duty glass doesn’t have any curvature to it.

Finally, there’s the bag you carry the set in. Most bags on the market are made from a material that allows easy in-bag rinsing. But not this one. This one is a bit too thick for that.

Final Verdict

Overall, the Cressi Palau snorkel set is a welcome addition to any snorkeler. Sturdy fins, a strong mask, and a durable snorkel will allow you to explore the shallow ends of the ocean without a problem. They’re easy to come by in both regular and online retail. So what are you waiting for?

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