With a mermaid tail you can not only look like a mermaid, but actually swim like one!
Have you ever wanted to be a mermaid? Swimming around with a colorful tail without any worries? With a mermaid tail this becomes possible! It is a popular accessory that is used by many people. In the past years the mermaid tail has become very in demand by both children and adults that want to make their dreams come to life.
I have to admit, this is not something I would try out myself quickly, but my cousin loves it and thinks it is amazing to use a mermaid tail during swimming. There are some things to look out for when buying and using a mermaid tail to swim with, which I will discuss here.
The safety of the tail is the most important subject that has to be understood before you go out on the water and swim with a mermaid tail. With this information I want to prevent you from just going into the water with a tail on without you knowing what to do and which risks come with it.
Be aware that when using a mermaid tail, you lock both legs, so that you can no longer move them separately. This can be very dangerous in the water, so never use a mermaid tail without someone else to assist you in unpleasant situations.
Purchase a mermaid tail
When buying a mermaid tail, the first thing to look at is the quality of the tail in question. Because they are so popular, the market is flooded with cheap quality tails that can be very dangerous to use. Some of these materials even absorb water, making them very heavy and causing dangerous situations.
Mono-fins can also be made from other cheap materials such as flippers attached to vinyl. So, how do you make sure that the tail you buy is safe?
- Buy from a well-known manufacturer, not some tail on AliExpress
- See if there are reviews for the tail you are interested in
- Find out if the fin is made of silicone
- View forums or Facebook groups for mermaids, who are constantly working on it and know a lot about it
- The mermaid’s tail must have a loose monofin that you can attach to your feet, otherwise you won’t be able to swim with it
Material of a mermaid tail
Spandex, nylon and polyester are the most popular materials for making mermaid tails. Tails of these materials are light and easy to move around, making them comfortable to swim in. They are easy to put on and take off, which is important if you want to change quickly on the beach.
These fabrics are also relatively cheap, making mermaid tails of high quality accessible to most people. Another advantage of these tails is that they are easy to wash. The only possible problem you may encounter with mermaid tails made from these materials is that they are not as durable as silicone tails.
Silicone is the best material when it comes to mermaid tails. Not only are silicone mermaid tails more durable than spandex/polyester/nylon tails, but they also look better. If you want a tail that looks exactly like an adult mermaid’s tail and you have a large budget, look at a silicone mermaid’s tail.
These tails offer the highest quality, and they are usually tailor-made for the user. Because they are custom-made, you can choose exactly the color and shape you want. Most mermaid tails are prefabricated, so you can only choose from a limited selection of colors. With a silicone tail you can get exactly what you want.
Of course this customization means that you have to pay more for it. Silicone tails cost a lot more than fabric tails. On the other hand, silicone is heavier than spandex/polyester/nylon, which means that it will be harder to swim with and will not offer the same level of flexibility.
Handmade mermaid tails
A silicone mermaid tail with which you can swim is actually a work of art. The really beautiful tails are handmade by artists and adapted so that you get exactly what you want. Of course you will have a lot more costs because of the use of material and time, but the result is really beautiful.
Don’t find what you want, but do you have a large budget? Then you can find quite a few artists online who specialize in this and where you can have the tail made exactly the way you want it!
You will have to keep into account a minimum budget of $1.500, so you must really be willing to work with it professionally or have a lot of money to spend to invest this in a mermaid tail. If so, in this article by AquaMermaid (also a specialist at this) you can find 25 addresses where a custom mermaid tail can be made especially for you.
If you want a custom made silicone mermaid tail, make sure you measure all sizes perfectly, so you can be sure it fits your body. It should feel like a second skin, so it shouldn’t be too loose. But you also don’t want it so tight that you can’t even put the tail on!
Monofin with a mermaid tail
If you really want to be able to swim with the mermaid tail, the monofin is an essential part. This is the part that does the hard work for you and helps you to propel yourself through the water. The tail fin is the part that covers your legs to make them look like a tail and add color, while the monofin fits on your feet.
The monofin should fit perfectly in the tail fin to give a good look for your tail. Some tails do not come with a monofin (you have to buy one separately), but most come as a package. Many tails that come without a monofin are only suitable for the beach and not for actual swimming.
If you are wearing a monofin, you should get the same feeling as when wearing a flipper. In the beginning it may feel weird, because both feet are attached to each other, but you’ll get used to it quickly. Some mermaid tails with monofin also have straps around the ankle to keep your feet in the fin when you swim through the water.
Sizes of mermaid tails
Mermaid tails and monofins come in different sizes, for both children and adults. When choosing the tail sizes you have to take into account not only your feet but also the size of your legs (length and width). The monofin should fit your feet, but the tail should also fit your legs. When you are looking for the right fit, it’s about much more than just measuring your feet.
So, before you buy a tail, you have to measure your feet (shoe size), waist and hips as well. When ordering a silicone tail, the manufacturer may ask for many more measurements to make sure you get a fitting tail.
You want your mermaid tail to fit well, so the size is important. You don’t want a tail that slides off in the water, but you also don’t want a tail that’s too tight. Wearing a waterproof mermaid tail should be fun and if it doesn’t fit well, you won’t enjoy it.
In my top 3 mermaid tails which will follow later in this article I will give you some tips for good tails that are available for both adults and children.
Weight of a mermaid tail
The weight of your tail is important because it affects how freely you can move in the water. Of course, if you buy a silicone tail, you can count on it to be heavier. Most pre-fabricated mermaid tails only weigh a few pounds, depending on how high the quality of the monofin is.
When you look at the weight of a tail, think about how well you can swim and how strong you are. If you are an avid swimmer, you can probably handle a heavier tail, which greatly increases your options.
Silicone tails can weigh between 5 and 25 kg. Under water they will feel lighter due to the natural buoyancy of silicone, but you will need to be a good swimmer to use them. You should also think about how they feel on land, especially if you have to travel a long way between putting on the tail and until you reach the water.
Color of a mermaid tail
Because mermaid tails always have to look beautiful the color is one of the most important things when picking out a tail for yourself. If you are looking at under water creatures, you’ll see an abundance of great colors and use them as inspiration. That being said, some tails are better than others and you get what you pay for.
A cheaper tail can have flat colors, while the more expensive ones come with more detail and a better color scheme. At the end of the day, everyone wants to have the best possible mermaid tail with lots of details and beautiful colors for as little money as possible.
Price of a mermaid tail
Good mermaid tails you can swim with generally cost between $60 and $150 as you’ll see a little further down my list. There are also plenty of cheaper tails to be found on Amazon, AliExpress and other webshops, but we have all ordered such a product before, which in reality was very disappointing.
Because it does not require a huge investment, I would immediately go for quality to swim through the water properly and safely. In addition, you can also be sure that you are buying a durable product from a brand that is experienced with the product, so you don’t have to throw it away after using it twice.
Of course you’re not going to have a custom made silicone mermaid tail of $1.500-$3.000, unless you really have too much money (send me an email 😉) or you’re going to work with it professionally. Buy a good mermaid tail that you can enjoy for a long time and you’ll look beautiful with it!
Swimming with a mermaid tail
Now that you have found a good tail I will give you some rules and tips for safe swimming with a mermaid tail. As said, your feet are tied together and you are more at risk than with a normal set of flippers.
- Never swim alone. Always have a buddy swim with you and/or someone watching you. If something happens, they can give you the help you need.
- Do not use a tail if you are not a good swimmer. If you are not a good swimmer, use a lifejacket or buoyancy device.
- If you’re not used to swimming in an area without a tail, don’t swim there with a tail. It is important that you are familiar with the area, the currents and the depth of the water.
- Practice rolling on your back and floating. This is an important skill to have if you are ever exhausted or feel in danger. It allows you to be completely relaxed while you breathe and call for help when needed.
- Practice taking off the tail in the pool. Practice this first in water where you can stand and then in water where you can’t touch the bottom. Once you have taken off the tail you swim to safety or float on your back.
Top 3 of mermaid tails
Let me immediately put one thing first, companies like AquaMermaid and the other companies in the list I referred to, make much better and higher quality mermaid tails than the models I’m going to list in my top 3 below.
My top 3 is aimed at people who want to give it a try and make it look nice, not for people who want to do professional photo shoots underwater with a mermaid tail or want to participate in mermaid races (ok I just made up the second one, are there any? 😉).
But I’m sure you understand my point. Below is a top 3 of affordable mermaid tails that are great for both adults and children. Many tails and guides are only aimed at children, but I also want adults to make their dreams come true to swim through the water like Ariel (or King Triton).
1. FinFun Mermaid Tail
The undisputed number 1 in this list, the FinFun mermaid tails. This well-known brand offers high quality and is available for both children and adults.
The Fin Fun mermaid tail is the perfect combination of top quality and a beautiful eye-catching design. Unlike other mermaid tails it is available in no less than 13 different colors and in 8 different sizes. So you will always find a suitable model!
When it comes to looks, you’ll have trouble finding a better looking tail than this one for the same budget. The polypropylene fin ensures that you can swim well and fast, in case of emergencies this fin is also easy to pull out. In this sleek design and material you’ll beautifully go through any water like a mermaid.
Below are some of the FinFun tails. I put these double for different versions of Amazon, because if a certain size or color is not in stock at Amazon.com, this may be the case in Germany or the UK!
2. FinFun Mermaid tail with reinforced fin
Actually, this is the new version of the earlier FinFun tails, but with extra strong fins to swim even faster. Also a number of new designs have been added, such as the above rainbow design that will appeal to many people.
This tail will last a very long time and will not tear or rip. It also allows you to swim faster and safer. With a monofin that creates a more natural movement through the water, you can say that these are real mermaid tails to swim with.
The material used is of very high quality, which means that it is resistant to sun and possibly chlorine in the pool (although I don’t recommend you to do this between all people). All in all it is easy to see why it is one of the best mermaid tails for adults if you are looking for quality.
Available in 10 different sizes and 12 different colors.
3. Sun Tails Premium Mermaid Tail
The Sun Tails Premium is slightly more expensive than the FinFun models, but performs really great in the water. The monofin gives you good control over the movements in the water. It is even claimed that this tail is recommended by “mermaids swimming schools”. I didn’t know they existed before, but that’s also an option to learn to swim like a mermaid with a tail.
The color scheme is more or less fixed, the color of the fin itself is possibly in a different version to get. By using 80% polyester and 20% elastane it adapts well to the body and you can quickly swim through the water.
The neoprene foot section, which can be removed with a Velcro fastener, provides separate foot bags, the feet stand on fabric instead of plastic.
Despite the large supply, it is difficult to put together a strong top 3 of mermaid tails, especially because the supply that is also suitable for adults is very limited. There are thousands of ads with mermaid tails that are only suitable for children that you have to struggle through to find them.
Therefore, if you are an adult looking for a mermaid’s tail, I hope that I have helped you find a suitable one. The mermaid tails above are of high quality and you can certainly swim well with them.
Choose quality and safety, not cheap fabric exams that are only suitable for lying on the beach and you shouldn’t want to swim with.
Extra: Mermaid tail blankets
Don’t feel like diving into the water and want to stay at home on the couch, but still feel like a real mermaid? With a mermaid tail blanket this is possible and you can lie on the couch like a mermaid and watch the adventures of the Little Mermaid on Disney Channel. (Or the live-action Little Mermaid movie / the series Mako Mermaids on Netflix according to my niece)
Conclusion mermaid tail
Don’t forget to always stay safe and above all have fun! Make your dreams come true and let all the mermaid stories come true!
Swimming like a mermaid is a fun way to spend your summer days. It is fun for kids and it is also a great exercise with little impact. With the peak in popularity comes a peak in dangerous situations. Stick to the safety rules and practice well in shallow water first, so you know exactly what to do in every situation.
Buy a quality tail, practice your skills with it and enjoy all your time in the water. Because who doesn’t want to be a mermaid?
Have you tried out a mermaid tail yet? Did you use it for swimming or just for in the pictures? Which tail did you use and how did you like it? Let me know in the comments!
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2 responses to “A mermaid tail to swim through the water like a princess”
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Hi! My name is Tom. During the year I try to be on a paddle board as much as possible. By reading this blog you'll stay updated on everything I test on the water :)
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Hi Tom, thanks for your great overview! My daughter wanted a mermaid tail to swim with and I had no clue where to begin. I wasn’t aware of how dangerous this can also be, thank you for this warning, I will never let her use this tail on her own without my supervision. We ordered the FinFun for her birthday and will go try it out next week, looking forward to it!
Brenda
I have tried out the SunTails one and it is such high quality! At the start I was rather afraid having both my legs tied together, but now I really enjoy it and it’s a great workout!