Best waterproof bag for snorkeling: protect your valuables

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Waterproof bags are essential to keep your belongings safe from water and sand while you are snorkeling. You can take them with you onto a boat or directly into the water while our belongings stay dry inside. Many are strong and durable and can withstand tough outdoor activities. Regardless of your budget, there is a dry bag for everyone that will ensure all your items make it home dry.

We’ve chosen the Kumbaya R1 Rucksack on Amazon as the best waterproof bag to keep up with snorkelers and scuba divers on all their adventures.

Top Pick

Kumbaya R1 Waterproof Rucksack

A mix of comfort and durability, the Kumbaya R1 surpasses the basic dry bags with its comfort and durability.

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Budget Pick

Freegrace Waterproof Dry Bag

With two closures designed to keep water out, this dry bag is an affordable waterproof choice.

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High-end Pick

Skog Å Kust BackSåk Pro 35L

TPU-coated 420-denier ripstop nylon with heat-taped seams, an IPX-6 roll-top main compartment and a separate airtight IPX-7 front pocket for a phone and a passport. Built for spray and a fall overboard rather than for swimming with.

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Top Pick: Kumbaya R1 Waterproof Rucksack

This dry bag is a comfortable yet rugged option with plenty of storage space and high-quality waterproof materials.

The Kumbaya R1 is a 35-liter bag with an IPX7 waterproof rating. It’s made with durable, tear-resistant materials and keeps your gear dry even when submerged. The backpack style is comfortable with ventilating, mesh pads on the back and shoulders. Added pockets help your small items stay dry and organized.

Budget Pick: Freegrace Waterproof Dry Bag

Zip lock and roll-top closures provide extra waterproof protection and bags come in multiple sizes and colors.

This waterproof backpack has taken the typical roll-top closure a step further by adding two zip lock seals. This creates a tighter seal to keep water out but at no additional cost. While most dry bags shouldn’t be completely submerged, the Freegrace can for short periods. The design allows it to go along with you while you snorkel and the inside will remain dry. Purchases of this bag also include two smaller waist and phone case pouches for when you only have a few items.

High-end Pick: Skog Å Kust BackSåk Pro 35L

The best-made bag here, and the only one with a dedicated airtight pocket for a phone — but read what the main compartment is actually rated for before you take it in the water.

Skog Å Kust builds the BackSåk Pro from 420-denier ripstop nylon coated with TPU, with heat-taped seams and a roll-down-and-clip top. The 35-liter main compartment is rated IPX-6, and the zippered front pocket is a separate, airtight IPX-7 compartment sized for a phone, a passport and a car key¹. That split is the point of the bag: the pocket holding your valuables is rated higher than the one holding your towel.

The catch is the main compartment. Skog Å Kust is explicit that its IPX-6 rating covers rain, splashes and intermittent shallow submersion — dropping the bag overboard — and that it is not intended for underwater use or prolonged submersion¹. If you want a bag you can tow behind you while you snorkel, buy the Kumbaya above. This is the bag for the boat, the beach and the walk in.

Phone Pick: Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch

An easy and dependable pouch that lets you use your phone while snorkeling.

Bring your phone with you while you snorkel and even use it to take pictures. The Hiearcool pouch has a high waterproof rating that keeps your phone safe and you can completely submerge it for long periods. The clear TPU on both sides gives you full access to your touch screen and camera to capture your time in the water, and it fits phones up to 8.9 inches — so a large handset in a case still goes in.

girl in blue dress with waterproof bag on shoulder

FAQ

Do I need a waterproof bag?

Water and sand can quickly ruin phones, car FOBs, passports, and other belongings. While sticking everything in a normal zip lock bag is an option, these can be easily misplaced or rip. They also will sink and wash away when dropped in the ocean. Waterproof bags designed for snorkelers and divers are specially made to keep water out and many float on the surface. They come in various sizes and colors, and most are thicker material that won’t easily break. Good gear bags can go with you into the water and protect your belongings from getting lost or stolen on the beach.

How to choose the best dry bag?

The most important factor is how waterproof each bag is. Some bags will have an IP rating which is an international standard of classifying enclosures against water, dirt, and dust. Based on this number you tell how your bag will hold up to different water pressures (1).

The durability of the material is another factor to consider. Most bags use nylon or polyester with waterproof coatings. Nylon is the tougher of the two and resists rips and tears. The strongest option is ripstop nylon which is light and flexible. This material is more expensive though, and usually only used in higher-end bags.

Dry bags typically come in 10L, 20L, or 30L. 10L bags can carry your basics, while a 30L bag can hold everything you need for a few days. When looking at a roll-top dry bag, remember that for a water-tight seal they need at least three rolls down. This makes them smaller than they initially appear.

Finding the right gear for snorkeling is all about comfort and finding the best pick for you. Read about choosing the best snorkel gear in our article here.

Do dry bags float?

When a dry bag is properly closed there will be excess air trapped in the bag. This allows it to float easily in the water. You should leave extra space in your bag to ensure enough air will remain and it will float once in the water.

Can you submerge dry bags?

Though waterproof, most dry bags shouldn’t be completely submerged. The continued water pressure will make its way into the bag and cause a leak. However, better-made bags will remain sealed during prolonged submersion and you can take them with you as you snorkel.

The IP rating of a bag will tell you whether you can submerge it or not. The ratings have two numbers, the second tells you in what conditions the bag will remain waterproof. Ratings of a six can handle high-pressure jets, while a seven and above can last 30 minutes or more underwater (1).

How do I test a dry bag?

No matter what kind of bag you get, you should test the waterproof seals regularly for new leaks or tears. Test your bag by putting napkins or paper inside, closing it properly, and then submerging it in a bathtub or pool. Bags can wear down over time so it is best to do this test if you haven’t used your dry bag in a while or after a long trip.

orange and yellow waterproof bag on beach

Detailed Product Reviews

Top Pick: Kumbaya R1 Waterproof Rucksack

A mix of comfort and durability, the Kumbaya R1 surpasses the basic dry bags with its comfort and durability.

The Kumbaya fabric is 0.5mm 500 denier polyester, a strong, high thread count fabric (2). It is also coated in double laminate PVC Tarpaulin. This creates a completely waterproof seal that withstands UV rays, making it perfect for prolonged outdoor use.

It has an IP waterproof rating of X7. This means it is submersible for 30 minutes at 3 feet and will still remain dry inside. The closure is the standard roll-top, but it clips down on the sides. This provides a tighter seal that won’t come undone while in the water (3).

With a 35L main compartment, it can hold your belongings for a week of snorkeling, diving, or just every day. Unlike other snorkel bags, the Kumbaya has an extra internal storage pocket to organize small items and an external zippered water-resistant pocket.

The Kumbaya has adjustable shoulder straps and backing with soft pads that add comfort and ventilation. For heavier loads, there is also a sternum strap for weight dispersion. However, some users would have preferred a waist strap for more weight control.

The bottom line: The Kumbaya R1 has excellent waterproof ratings that make it submersible and it will last for long periods of time outdoors. The backpack design is comfortable to wear and it has a large internal space with extra pockets.

Budget Pick: Freegrace Waterproof Dry Bag

With two closures designed to keep water out, this dry bag is an affordable waterproof choice.

This gear bag is similar to others of the same price and material but comes with an extra zip lock closure system. The two zip lock lines create a stronger watertight seal. While some users found these were hard to open and close, they recognized it created a better waterproof seal.

During tests, users snorkeled with the dry sacks and completely submerged them. They remained dry inside, although prolonged submersion is not recommended.

The Freegrace comes with an adjustable strap and in different colors and sizes. Some bags have a clear side panel for you to see inside, but a few users noted this caused leaks into the bag.

Every purchase also comes with two smaller dry bags; a waterproof phone pouch and fanny pack. Most had no issues with these smaller bags, but some found they leaked on the first try. For these and the larger bag, it is important to test for leaks and tears before use.

The bottom line: For the price, this bag offers extra protection compared to similar dry bags and you can take it snorkeling. Although it has the added protection, it is still important to test it before using it with your phone and important items.

waterproof bag stuffed in kayak storage

High-End Pick: Skog Å Kust BackSåk Pro 35L

Higher-grade materials and a genuinely airtight valuables pocket, in a bag rated for spray rather than for swimming.

The shell is 420-denier ripstop nylon coated with TPU, and the seams are heat-taped rather than stitched, which is what keeps water, mud, sand and dust out of the seam line rather than merely off the fabric¹.

The 35-liter main compartment closes with a roll-down and clip and carries an IPX-6 rating. The exterior front pocket is a separate, airtight compartment rated IPX-7¹. For a snorkeler that division matters more than either number on its own: phone, keys and cards go in the front pocket, and the rest of your kit rides in the main body.

Skog Å Kust does not claim more than that, and neither will we. The company states plainly that the main compartment is intended for rain, splashes and intermittent shallow submersions — such as dropping the bag overboard or falling in — and that it is not intended for underwater use or prolonged submersion¹. Set against the Kumbaya’s IPX7 main compartment, that is the real difference between the two bags: the Kumbaya is the one you can take into the water, and the BackSåk Pro is the better-built bag for everything either side of it.

Inside there is a laptop sleeve, a large zippered pocket, an elastic mesh slip pocket and a key clip, and the interior is coated in high-visibility white TPU so that dark gear at the bottom of the bag is findable¹. Outside there are elastic side pockets for a water bottle, reflective elements front and back, an adjustable sternum strap, and an adjustable waist strap that comes off entirely if you do not want it¹. The 35-liter version weighs 2.3 lbs and measures 20 inches tall by 14 long by 7.5 wide when closed, seam to seam¹.

Two maintenance points matter more in salt water than the listing photographs suggest. The airtight zip has to be lubricated from time to time or it stops sealing, and it should be washed with fresh water after any salt exposure to stop salt building up in the teeth. The bag is hand wash only, and should be fully dry before storage¹.

The bottom line: the best-made bag on this page, and the only one that gives your phone its own airtight compartment. Buy it for boat days, beach days and the walk down to the water rather than for swimming with. One practical note — Amazon currently sells the 35-liter size in red only, and the black version this page previously recommended can no longer be bought.

Phone Pick: Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch

An affordable waterproof phone pouch that lets you use your phone’s touchscreen and camera in the water.

The Hiearcool pouch has a waterproof rating of IPX8. This high rating allows for extended immersion in deeper depths. A triple-seal lock keeps water, sand, and dust out, and you can easily take your phone, credit cards, and essentials with you while snorkeling. It ships as a two-pack with a detachable lanyard, so a second person is covered too.

While the pouch is secure deeper underwater it is not recommended for scuba divers. The pouch will not protect your cell phone from malfunctioning due to higher water pressures.

While similar, snorkeling and scuba diving have significant variances in-depth and gear. Read more about the differences between the two in our article here.

This case fits phones that are seven inches and smaller. The clear plastic material is waterproof, scratch-resistant, and dustproof. This design lets you use your phone’s touchscreen and camera while underwater.

The lanyard strap keeps the case secured to you while swimming. However, the case does not float and it is important to keep the strap on so your cell phone does not sink.

Most users had no problems using this case underwater, but a few had issues with leaks after longer uses. Always test the case before swimming and check for rips in the seams.

The bottom line: This is an affordable case that protects phones during prolonged submersion.

Conclusion

Bringing a waterproof bag with you while snorkeling will help keep your phone, money, and belongings safe and dry. The Kumbaya R1 Rucksack, Freegrace, BackSåk Pro, Hiearcool pouch on Amazon, will all give you peace of mind while you enjoy the beach and water. Before using any dry bag with your belongings you should test it underwater and check for tears.

References

IP Rated Enclosures Explained. The Enclosure Company.
The Definitive Guide that You Never Wanted: Backpack Fabrics. Pangolins with Packs.
Kumbaya R1 Waterproof Rucksack. Stellavolta.

“BackSåk Pro.” Skog Å Kust, skogakust.com. Manufacturer product page, including the Technical Specifications and Waterproof Rating sections. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

Best waterproof bag for snorkeling: protect your valuables

Top Pick: Kumbaya R1 Waterproof Rucksack

Kumbaya R1 Waterproof Rucksack

Budget Pick: Freegrace Waterproof Dry Bag

Freegrace Waterproof Dry Bag

High-end Pick: Skog Å Kust BackSåk Pro 35L

Skog Å Kust BackSåk Pro 35L

Phone Pick: Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch

Hiearcool Waterproof Phone Pouch