Scuba Diving Fins

Scuba fins (also known as flippers) are worn on the feet to enable you to swim underwater using only your legs. The human leg muscles are powerful, and fins leverage these muscles by expanding the surface area of the feet. This larger surface area allows your legs and feet to propel you underwater.
There are two types of fins. You can wear open heel adjustable fins or full foot fins. Open heel adjustable fins are the most common type of fins used in scuba diving. They attach to the boots of wet suits. Full foot fins do not require wet suits. They go directly on your feet like shoes, and are not adjustable. One of the great things about Bahamas diving is that the tropical climate allows people to dive with or without a wet suit, so either style of fins can be used in the Bahamas.

People with physical limitations that restrict their use of legs can use hand fins (also known as webbed gloves) which function similarly to foot fins by making the swimmer’s movements more efficient underwater.

Larger fin blades allow you to swim more efficiently. Modern scuba fins are larger than the earliest models of scuba gear. If you will be swimming in different locations and conditions, you will probably want open heel fins. However, if you are swimming in tropical water, full foot fins are an appropriate option. Beware: people often buy fins that are too small for them. If you are renting scuba gear for Bahamas diving, your dive shop can help you choose fins that are a good fit for you in tropical water.

People who dive in both wet suits and dry suits often need two pairs of fins, because dry suits have such large boots.

Don’t forget to use a gear marker to label your fins inside the foot pocket. This will not be visible when you are diving. But when the deck of the boat is covered with a pile of scuba fins and equipment, you’ll be glad that your gear is clearly marked.