Who is Snorkel Bob?

by Mihai Pinzariu on September 24, 2019

If you read enough about snorkelling online, you’re sure to hear all about this mysterious fellow ‘Snorkel Bob’. Is he fiction or is he real? Is he a cartoon or a man? Anyone who’s curious about the man behind the myth, read on to learn all about the character that is Snorkel Bob.

Robert Wintner

Believe it or not, ‘Snorkel Bob’ is not this man’s real name. Born Robert Wintner, Snorkel Bob is famous for being Hawaii’s biggest reef outfitter, reef conservationist, and a hilarious writer of snorkelling guidebooks. “What’s the big deal?” you ask? Well, check out thiås advertisement for Snorkel Bob’s snorkelling concierge services in Hawaii:

Is there any wonder this guy has become a thing?

Why Snorkel Bob is so popular

Look at the advertisement above, browse his website, read more of his advertisements. You’ll start to see a pattern. Snorkel Bob is one hell of a funny and eccentric guy, and to top it all off he seems undoubtedly genuine and kind. This is a guy who’s not only chasing his passion in life (you can tell he loves snorkelling, like loves snorkelling. And Hawaii), but also trying to put a smile on people’s faces while doing it. You don’t often see business owners showing so much personality, humour, and lax vibes. They’re too busy trying to play the professional game. Snorkel Bob ain’t havin’ none of that, though. He’s a funny guy doing what he loves, and his business is built on his weird and funny behaviour.

Snorkel Bob’s in Hawaii

You’ve been to Hawaii, you’ve seen Snorkel Bob’s (or at least heard about him). He calls himself the ‘Snorkelling Concierge’, and he’s out to make sure every tourist in Hawaii is equipped with a set of rented snorkel equipment, fins, beach umbrellas, bodyboards, beach chairs, and more. With 11 stores across the 4 Hawaiian islands, Snorkel Bob’s answers a lot of travel dilemmas and makes snorkelling in Hawaii super easy. You can rent equipment from one store in Maui and drop it off at another store in Oahu. He’s also got all your Hawaii entertainment and sightseeing sorted, with whale watching tours, boat trips, ziplining, paddle boarding, and more. Basically, he’s your one stop shop when you’re in Hawaii.

Are Snorkel Bob’s products good?

So you’ll find his stores everywhere and he makes it super easy to get what you want, when you want, but is Snorkel Bob’s snorkelling equipment good quality? We want to stay neutral on the matter, but feel free to read the reviews and judge for yourself. We reckon people love Snorkel Bob more for his passion, eccentricity, and reef-conservation, but who knows! We will say one thing, though – the guy offers everything you could possibly need for a Hawaiian family holiday. Equipment, entertainment, cheap prices…

Snorkel Bob and reef conservation

All laughter aside, Snorkel Bob is using his passion for snorkelling and coral reefs to campaign globally against the aquarium trade. He’s Executive Director of the aptly named Snorkel Bob Foundation, which is dedicated to reef recovery and putting an end to aquariums everywhere! As he says, “it’s all one reef”.

What is the Snorkel Bob Foundation?

Aquariums (both small ones at home and huge touristy ones) are slowly destroying the world’s reefs. For any snorkeller, this should come as horrific news. How will you snorkel when there’s no more reef? You can’t go snorkelling inside someone’s pretty aquarium, but that’s where all the reefs are going to end up. That’s not fair! This is what made Snorkel Bob start the Snorkel Bob Foundation. Wildlife and reef species belong to everyone, and they shouldn’t be caught and sold the way that they are. Reefs are being stripped just to create pretty little aquariums for people to look at – when they could just be going out to the reef to see all the stuff in its natural environment!

Why is Snorkel Bob anti-aquariums?

98% of aquarium fish are caught from the wild. Let’s think about that again – 98% of those fish you see sitting in pretty aquariums in offices, waiting rooms, venues, and houses have come from the wild. They were once swimming out in the open ocean amongst the reef, and now they’re in a glass box. In fact, the aquarium trade is leading to the decline of many of Hawaii’s most popular fish. Popular or not, specific fish species are in decline and endangered purely because the aquarium trade is catching more than are out there. In turn, the price of these fish becomes inflated, and who benefits? The aquarium traders. If this sounds as devastating to you as it does to us, you can read more about Snorkel Bob’s anti-aquarium campaign here.

Snorkel Bob’s books and photography

We don’t know how he has time to do it all, but somehow he does. Snorkel Bob has also written several books, both fiction and non-fiction, which are filled with his trademark humour and wit. And he’s also an accomplished underwater photographer, with his own journals chronicling the personalities and society of the reef. Don’t expect scientific encyclopaedias here! Snorkel Bob’s insight into fish life is hilarious and imaginative, and as he says “every fish tells a story”. Snorkel Bob’s Reality Guide to Hawaii is a tongue-in-cheek and funny guide to Hawaii’s beaches, snorkel sites, reefs, hazards, and more. Will you laugh? 100% yes. Is this as informative as a Lonely Planet? Maybe not… Neptune Speaks is a book & movie that highlights the culture and reef characters of Hawaii, Palau, and the Caribbean, with hundreds of photos of sea life as well as narration. Reef Libre is an in-depth photography book and mini-documentary that explores ‘Cuban exceptionalism and the last, best reefs in the world’. Buying one of Snorkel Bob’s books/movies helps support his campaign to end reef wildlife trafficking.

Snorkel Bob quotes

This guy has zingers coming out of his ears. All over the website, in the fine print, amidst boring details, you’ll see something hilarious. Here’s just some of the funny stuff Snorkel Bob has said:

Fine print on an offer on his snorkelling packages: “Wusses, whiners and groaners need not apply. Persons suspected of exploiting this amazing offer to unfair advantage will suffer exposure to my, Snorkel Bob’s, now-famous Shark-Frenzy Impersonation. Have a nice day. I mean really.”

On an advertisement for extra-large snorkel fins: “Why do I luuv guys with big feet…? Because they need big fins!”

From the advertisement above with the cat: “Snorkel Bob admitted to sleep deprivation since Larry arrived. “Worse yet, he interrupts Catfish and me, Snorkel Bob, if you get my drift. On the bright side, neither hairballs nor missing the litter box can deter our joy. Catfish is the mother of our kitten.”

In an advertisement for his snorkel rental company: “Snorkelling is a great way to stick your head in the water without the inconvenience of holding your breath”

About one of his pieces of snorkelling equipment: “This mask will outlive you, even if you don’t drown“


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Based on 1482 reviews
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B
Electra - Full Face Snorkel Mask
Bolang C. (Perth, AU)
Great design

This is the best snorkel mask I’ve ever had. Very comfortable on face, easy to breathe. I am not a good swimmer, it makes me feel safe and enjoy snorkelling without distraction. Thank you ninjiashark.

Best snorkel ever!!

Got one of these for me and my 7 year old daughter for Xmas. We’ve used them twice already and love them!! So much easier to breathe, can see so much and just makes the whole snorkelling experience better! Would highly recommend!

Clear as day

Clear to see and easy to breathe,
Whole family loves the NinjaShark Snorkel mask.

R
Lifetime Warranty
Robyn H. (Adelaide, AU)
Amazing

The best snorkel and mask combination. No going back now! I could snorkel for over an hour easily. So glad I made this purchase

M
Package: Dry Snorkel (Set + Fins + Bag)
Mermaid M. (Townsville, AU)
Mermaid

While travelling in Timor leste l met a fellow snorkeller. We snorkelled for 10 days together the food was shit but the water was stunning. The friend was using Ninja Shark fins and mask mine were steaming up, letting in water and heavy. On arriving back in Australia l ordered straight away.
I was a little bit anxious on receiving my order as the mask was quite different to my old one and the fins were short and adjustable ( l wanted them to be my size ! ) well to my luck the weather was beautiful ( yes mid winter in Mackay ) and perfect for boating so off we scooted to Cockermouth ( don't laugh it's a real place ) jumping in and WOW I'm now a mermaid 🧜‍♀️ the mask and fins felt like part of me. I actually cried as not only was the equipment allowing me to explore as l wanted but the reef was STUNNING. So lm indepted to Ninja Shark for making me the mermaid l always aspired to be 🧜‍♀️

Took it to Tahiti

I wasn’t quite sure about getting a full face mask but bought mine (Electra package) before a trip to Tahiti which we got home from yesterday - absolutely LOVED it!!! I’ll be getting one for my wife before our next trip to a similar destination. BTW I make LOTS of crazy videos with lots of toys.

Judge.me YouTube video placeholder
Life changing

I do love my full face snorkel.. the freedom of nose breathing under the water.. the meditative and relaxative effect of this snorkeling is unexpected and great. Fits so well.. comfy to wear for long time.. highly recommend

j
Diving Dry Snorkel Set with GoPro mount
jomm11 (Brisbane, AU)
Super quality & fit

So happy we got Ninja shark, perfect for Great barrier reef snorkel day.
Flippers, mask, dry wallet, carry bag (good quality bag), anti fog spray, happy days.

Ninja Shark Kids Mask

We recently brought the Ninja Shark Kids 3-11 Mask + Fins + Bag package for our 7 year old who absolutely loves it! Will be buying three more for the rest of the family. 😊

Even better than expected!

I saw the kids full face snorkel masks online, and thought they looked pretty cool. I ordered two for Christmas, for my 3 and 6 year olds. Wow, did they have a great time with them!

I wasn't sure how the 3 year old would go with it, but he was comfortable in it almost immediately, and spent hours swimming around and seeing a whole new world of underwater scenery.

They were easy to fit, zero issues with them staying on. No leaks or fog.

They can't wait to get back to the water!

Highly recommend this product :)

N
Electra - Full Face Snorkel Mask
Nick J. (Brisbane, AU)
mask swimming

The mask did exactly what was stated. I was very happy and will get another mask for my daughter.

S
Electra - Full Face Snorkel Mask
Sheara R. (Perth, AU)
Great way to swim

I have NEVER been able to snorkel but love swimming. These full face snorkels are an absolute game changer in my life. Now I try to swim around 5 kms a week in the local pool. The Ninja mask makes it easy to do laps. I’ve been using the Ninja Shark for a quite few years and find the new Electra the best full face mask ever. No leaks, no fog and really easy to use and great quality. I’ve noticed my regular chats with other swimmers at the pool have encouraged many of them to purchase one of their own. I’ve given my older models to my grandkids and they love them too.

Fabulous

I got one for the 3 year old and one for the 5 year old, I thought maybe the 3 year old would get the hang of it eventually but they both loved it and mastered it pretty quickly. We’ve only used in the swimming pool, excited to go snorkeling in the ocean soon. Great product.

S
Lifetime Warranty
Sarah B. (Surfers Paradise, AU)
Love it!

Amazing product ! Have the electra package, kids love it. So easy to use. Highly recommend

J
Diving Dry Snorkel Set with GoPro mount
Jennifer M. (Brisbane, AU)
Love it

Bought these for myself and my husband after getting the full face masks for the kids, and they were so good we’re getting them for the rest of the extended family for Xmas. The fact u can dive down and not get water down ur snorkel is a brilliant bonus! Makes our family holidays much easier and better without snorkel dramas!

This made our holiday

The product itself was amazing, but the service we received allowed us to get our 2 sets of masks for our cruise. We took them with us and used them multiple times for snorkelling on our cruise to Nouméa and New Caledonia. It was amazing snorkelling and being able to breathe easily, and the fins were the most comfortable I've ever used. I've got size 13 feet, and not only were they completely adjustable, but they were THE most comfortable fins ever invented. A massive shoutout to Colleen Zamora from your support staff who helped me out and made it possible to take our gear on holidays! Thanks Colleen!
The photo is us snorkelling off Amadee Island looking for turtles!

My kids love them

I’ve got three of these masks for my younger kids, however the oldest wants one too as the young ones rave about how good the are.

Summer Family Fun

Our Ninja masks have made snorkelling as a whole family very easy and enjoyable. The kids (and parents) find them super easy to use and have allowed us as a family of five to snorkel for longer than we ever could using traditional snorkel gear. I would highly recommend these masks.

G
Lifetime Warranty
Geri D. (Sydney, AU)
Lifetime warranty

Glad I have but haven’t needed to use .. yet

Great Mask

Love this mask. Kids find it so much easier snorkelling with the Ninja Shark. The snorkel mask is super clear and doesn’t fog up. The adjustable straps are great and easy to loosen and tighten. Very happy that we made the decision to get these for the kids.

A must for snorkelers!

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awsome

we used our new masks over the weekend. they were amazing, my daughter barely had her head out of the water all day.

L
Lifetime Warranty
Lina J. (Gold Coast, AU)
life warranty

This is great! More stores should do it!

O
Lifetime Warranty
Olivia (Perth, AU)
Fantastic snorkel!

Our 5 year old has never snorkelled. Put it on and was snorkelling no problem straight away! Easy for him to put on and off by himself. We bought the full package with flippers (also amazing and he can put them on by himself) and the two wet bags. The foldable snorkel is so handy for storing while we are travelling. And the lifetime warranty gives us great comfort that we can use it for future trips! We are so impressed with this product I’m going to get mum and dad one too!

Kids snorkel

It is a lot easier for the younger children to have fun and snorkel without worrying about their nose breathing. My 6 year old swims confidently and happily.