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Body surfing fins do one job: they help you kick into a wave earlier. You don’t need them. But on a big day, getting in early can be the difference between riding a wave and getting pounded by it.
Straight up about where I stand: I bodysurf without them. Purist habit. I’ve used fins, but I don’t own a pair, and the only time I really miss them is when Kings Beach is pumping and I end up getting out early. So none of these picks come from my own testing. They come from what the makers publish, what specialist surf retailers say, and what bodysurfers like Mark Cunningham and Mike Stewart actually ride. Where a claim couldn’t be traced back to a source, it’s not on this page.
Here are the three pairs worth your money, plus how to size them, keep them on your feet, and make them last.
Quick Comparison: Best Body Surfing Fins
| Fin | Our Pick | Blade (per the maker) | Floats | Rubber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DaFins Pro Classic | ⭐ Top Pick | Rigid, flexible where required | Yes, in salt water | Natural rubber |
| Churchill Makapuu | The Classic | Stiff, reinforced rails | Yes | Natural gum rubber |
| DORSAL Bodysurf Fins | Best Budget Buy | Not specified | Yes | Natural gum rubber |
The Best Fins for Bodysurfing Reviewed
1. DaFins Pro Classic – Best All-Round Bodysurfing Fin
DaFin was started in Hawaii in the mid-1990s by Andy Cochran, an Aussie who moved there in the 1970s, and the fin was put to the test by Hawaiian watermen Mark Cunningham and Brian Keaulana. Cunningham rides DaFin and has his own signature model.
DaFin describes the blade as giving “rigid resistance yet is flexible where required.” They’re made from natural Malaysian rubber, they float in salt water, and they can be worn on either foot, so there’s no left or right to fumble with on the sand. They’re also endorsed by the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and the United States Lifesaving Association.
Sizing: DaFin says length is the measurement that matters, heel to longest toe. There are no narrow or wide versions; the pocket is soft and stretches for width. If you’ll wear booties, size up.
Best for: anyone who wants the fin Mark Cunningham rides, and one pair for everything.
Also sold direct from DaFin.com.
2. Churchill Makapuu – The Classic
Churchill is one of the oldest names in swim fins. Owen Churchill patented his rubber swim fin in 1940 (Churchill itself dates its fins to 1936), and Churchill says its fins became one of the world’s best sellers when bodyboarding took off in 1971. SurferToday calls the Makapuu “probably the most popular swim fins in the world.”
Don’t mistake it for a soft beginner fin. Churchill markets the Makapuu with “stiff blade rails” for propulsion and speed, and a soft foot pocket for “a snug, blister-free fit.” It’s 100% natural gum rubber and it floats, so a lost fin comes back to the surface.
Sizing: Churchill says if you’re between sizes, it’s often recommended to size up.
Best for: bodysurfers who want a design with decades of history behind it and a stiff blade.
3. DORSAL Bodysurf Fins – Best Budget Buy
DORSAL sells its fins for bodyboarding, bodysurfing and swimming. They’re 100% natural gum rubber and they float. When I checked the brand sites in September 2026, DORSAL’s starting price was below both Churchill’s and DaFin’s.
DORSAL doesn’t publish a stiffness rating, so if blade feel matters to you, one of the other two tells you more about what you’re getting.
Best for: bodysurfers who want a floating, natural rubber fin for the least money.
What to Look for in Body Surfing Fins
Blade Stiffness
The Inertia sums it up: “The stiffer the blade, the more power and propulsion but a softer blade will offer more control.” The trade-off is effort. Beachgoer puts it bluntly: stiffer fins are much harder to swim with. Mark Cunningham’s take is that you don’t want a lot of blade behind you, but you do want a stiff one to help you catch the wave in the first place.
Blade Length
Surf fins are short on purpose. SurferToday says short blades give a “faster kick cadence, better maneuverability, and more precise control in waves.” Longer fins give more push per kick; shorter ones are easier to move around.
Surf Fins vs Snorkel and Dive Fins
Don’t grab the snorkel fins out of the garage. Scuba fins measure between 25 and 30 inches, and even short snorkel travel fins run 15 to 20 inches. Surf fins are a different tool: short, stiff fins made from heavy-duty rubber, built for power in moving water, and used for surf lifesaving, bodysurfing and ocean rescue.
Floating
Buy a fin that floats. If a wave rips one off, a floating fin gives you a chance of getting it back. All three fins on this page float.
How Body Surfing Fins Should Fit
Fit matters more than brand. Mark Cunningham, who has his own DaFin model, still tells people to wear the fins that feel and fit the best.
- Snug, not tight. SurferToday: “never loose enough to slip off in a wave, but never tight enough to cause pain or restrict circulation.”
- Toes close to the end. Beachgoer: your toes should be close to the end of the pocket, but not touching it.
- Between sizes, go up. Both Churchill and eBodyboarding say this. A fin that’s too tight can cause cramping.
- Wearing socks or booties? Size up. eBodyboarding suggests about one size up for 2mm fin socks and about two for 3mm booties.
- Put them on properly. DaFin’s tip: slide your foot to the front of the pocket before pulling the strap over your heel.
Keeping Your Fins On: Tethers vs Fin Savers
A close-out can rip a fin clean off your foot, and as SurferToday points out, fins are only sold in pairs. Two ways to stop that:
- Fin tethers are small leashes that loop through the fin’s heel strap and fasten around your ankle, so a lost fin stays attached to you.
- Fin savers are straps that hold the fin to your ankle so it doesn’t come off in the first place.
If you’re buying DaFins, note that DaFin doesn’t recommend traditional tethers on its fins, warning they can wear the straps or snap them “in trying conditions.” DaFin recommends fin savers instead.
Fin Socks: The Fix for Blisters
If your fins rub, fin socks are the first thing to try. As eBodyboarding puts it, “Neoprene fin socks will act as a buffer between your foot and the swimfin.” They’re thin, usually around 2mm, so allow about a size up on your fins. For properly cold water you’re looking at booties, not socks. If you’re sorting out cold water gear, see our guide to the bodysurfing wetsuit.
How to Make Your Fins Last
- Rinse them in fresh water after every surf and let them dry in the shade. DaFin, Beachgoer and Slyde all say the same thing.
- Keep them out of the sun and heat. Beachgoer: “UV rays, combined with heat, can really break down the fins’ PVC and rubber construction.” DaFin says to store them somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight.
- Store them side by side, not stacked on top of each other. Beachgoer says this stops them warping.
- Don’t hang them by the strap. Slyde’s riders warn the rubber will stretch, crack and break.
- Don’t jam the tips into the sand to get your foot in. Slyde’s riders call it the most common cause of cracked fins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need fins to bodysurf?
What fins do pro bodysurfers use?
Can I use bodyboard fins for bodysurfing?
Can I use snorkel or dive fins for bodysurfing?
How tight should bodysurfing fins be?
Do bodysurfing fins float?
The Verdict
If you want one pair and don’t want to overthink it, get the DaFins Pro Classic. The Churchill Makapuu is the classic, with a stiff blade. And the DORSAL is the budget pick for a floating, natural rubber fin.
Whichever you pick, get the fit right. That matters more than the brand.
New to all this? Start with how to bodysurf, and if you’re after the other bit of kit people ride with, see our guide to the best handplanes for bodysurfing. Browse all our reviews at the Bodysurf Guide Gear hub.