I love snorkeling and have been dreaming of the day I can do it together with my kids. But for a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old, that’s still a little ways off. While researching options, I came across ReefTourer — and it completely won me over.
I already had a similar product from a 100-yen shop (Japan’s equivalent of a dollar store), but the quality difference was night and day. Let me break it all down!
What Is ReefTourer?
I only found this out after buying it, but ReefTourer is made by Tabata Co., Ltd. — a Japanese company originally founded as a rubber manufacturer, now exporting diving, swimming, and golf products worldwide. A seriously impressive brand!
They’ve applied professional diving technology to this product — from the clarity of the viewing lens to the water-tight seal design, to tempered glass that won’t shatter if knocked against a rock. And since it’s designed for kids, they’ve used skin-friendly materials throughout. There’s a lot to feel good about here!
As a domestic Japanese manufacturer, they’ve also researched and designed the product specifically around the size and usability needs of Japanese children.
Real-World Review
How It Compares to a Budget Store Version
This is one I picked up at a 100-yen shop (Japan’s equivalent of a dollar store) for about ¥300 (~$2). I bought it thinking it was affordable enough to try without worrying about failure — but:
- The casing was too shallow — even small waves sent water flooding in immediately.
- No tempered glass — just setting it down on sand or gravel was enough to scratch it. It became a rock collector within a day!
The budget version filled with water the moment you dipped it below the surface, so you could basically only float it on top of the water. Using it as a boat, maybe?
Now for the ReefTourer.
- Deep enough casing — no water gets in even with waves. Not a drop.
- Tempered glass — noticeably more scratch-resistant compared to the budget version.
It has a solid handle, so even young kids can hold it steady and push it underwater with confidence!
Now I totally understand why the reviews are so good!
How We Use the ReefTourer
As a Snorkel Alternative
The most obvious use — but it works brilliantly for underwater observation.
It can be tied to a swim ring or life jacket with a cord, so it’s not just for shallow water. You can take it to the same spots you’d use a snorkel and have just as much fun.
Creature Watching on Land Too!
It’s not just for underwater — you can use it on dry land too.
We found hermit crabs and regular crabs on the beach and popped them inside to observe. Sorry to the crabs — but the shape and smooth interior made it surprisingly hard for them to escape!
You can peer in from below, so you get a clear view of the crab’s legs moving and even its belly. And thanks to the tempered glass, a few scratches here and there won’t affect the view at all.
Any Downsides?
It’s a little bulky and takes up space in your bag. Since it has a solid shape, when we travel I pack diapers, clothes, fragile snacks, or souvenirs inside it to make use of the space — a handy packing trick!
For those who want something more compact, ReefTourer also makes an inflatable version! It doesn’t appear to have a handle, so it might be better suited for slightly older kids.
The Snorkeling Boat — A Perfect Companion
This is a float designed so the ReefTourer viewer fits right into it.
Even kids who are nervous about water can go fish-spotting with an adult’s help.
We didn’t know this product existed when we bought our swim ring, so we don’t have one yet — but apparently you can link multiple floats together with a cord, so siblings can explore side by side!
It comes in both adult and kids sizes — this is definitely on our list for this summer!
Since you need to hold on to this one, it’s better suited for older kids or adults. There’s also a different-shaped float that’s compatible with the viewer scope too!
Wrapping Up
I thought a budget store version would do the job just fine — but trying both side by side made it clear they’re in completely different leagues.
Great for peering underwater, great for observing creatures you’ve caught or found on the beach! While my kids were playing in the sand, I somehow ended up in an intense crab-catching session with another family’s child at the water’s edge!
I originally started looking into this for toddler-friendly snorkeling — but it turned out to be something kids and adults of all ages can enjoy for years to come.
Whether you think your kids are still too young for snorkeling, or you’re already an avid snorkeler looking for something to use alongside your gear — this is genuinely worth it.
Hope this helps someone out there!
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