See Clearly and Move Easily in the Water with Oceanic Mask & Fins

The right gear is crucial when it comes to staying safe and comfortable in the water. As a carry-on-only girl, I used to rely quite a bit on rental fins and masks due to simple space restrictions. Not anymore.

Too many leaky masks and the blisters on my feet after a trip to Roatán to dive the Mesoamerican Reef (the world’s second-largest barrier reef) convinced me I needed to carry the essentials all the time.

On a recent trip to Tonga and Fiji, I packed Oceanic’s Shadow Mini and Oceanic’s Accel Fins. I even checked a bag. But when I arrived in Tonga via Fiji Airways, my luggage was nowhere to be found. I spent a week in Vava'u, and unfortunately my gear never arrived. When I began the trek home, I flew through Nadi Airport only to find my bag sitting in a corner in the airport baggage claim area.

It was a rough trip. The good news is I had a couple of days at VOMO Island Fiji before returning to the United States, so I got some long overdue time in the water with my Oceanic gear.

Dive In with Oceanic’s Accel Fins

Over the course of two nights and three days, I got in one dive and a handful of snorkeling excursions. The Accel Fins impressed me in a number of ways. At less than three pounds per pair, the fins are lightweight and comfortable (you’ll need dive boots), but still offer a nice amount of thrust. They were easy to put on and take off thanks to stretchy silicone straps with easy-to-grab tabs. This was especially notable during my beach entry snorkeling trips, as I was putting on or taking off fins while bobbing in the surf.

I tend to be a flutter kicker, but I added some frog kicking into the mix and was happy with the results. Depending on how you measure, my size small Accel Fins run 21 to 22 inches in length. So on my next trip, they’ll be in my carry-on bag.

Make a Splash with Oceanic’s Shadow Mini

Masks can be tricky to get right. When purchasing a mask, I always recommend trying on as many as you can to get the best results. I have a narrower face, so the Shadow Mini was a good fit for me.

The double skirting inside the mask meant leakage wasn’t a problem during my time in the water. The Shadow Mini’s silicone skirt attaches directly to the lens, allowing for plenty of light and a good field of vision. That same flexible silicone also makes the mask very easy to pack or, when diving, to stash in a BCD pocket.

The mask does tend to fog faster than I’d like. I’m hoping that, as the mask gets more use and ages a bit more, the fogging will subside.

Where to Buy

Oceanic’s Shadow Mini is offered in a half-dozen vibrant colors, including ice, black, pink, sea-blue, yellow, and white.  Cost is $89.95 on the Oceanic website.

Oceanic’s Accel Fins are offered in a handful of colors, including black, aqua, pink, yellow, and white.  Cost is $119.95 on the Oceanic website.

Have fun with the colors. My fins are aqua. I love the color, and they stand out with some personality in what’s often a crowded field of black fins.

Some of Practical Travel Gear’s other scuba and snorkeling favorites include BARE’s Nixie Ultra Wetsuit and BARE's Exowear Hooded Vest.