Related to the water slippers question, when I went snorkeling on the Big Island, I had the fins with the enclosed feet and got bad blisters on the tops of my toes.
Is this a common problem for people who don't snorkel regularly and rent fins? Would wearing old socks have helped or would they rub even more?

Go down to the local dive shop and invest $18 or so in a pair of dive booties that you wear in tandem with the fins. You'll be able to snorkel all week in comfort. If you're renting fins, request the adjustable strap type. If buying, a decent pair can be found for less than $60.

Agree with above poster. The dive booties are great. Especially if you ever go snorkeling in a rocky area. You wear the booties out into about 3 feet of water and then put the fins on. Easier to navagate the rocks that way.

If not, a lot of Vaseline or Glide can do the trick too.

Dive booties usually won't fit fins with the enclosed foot. You could probably go a size bigger in fins for that, but then you might end up fighting to keep the fins on. If you can rent them, agree with getting the open heel adjustable ones. Or just wear the socks and start a new fashion trend!

thanks xxx I was just on my way out to buy booties for myself and guests for upcoming Kauai stay. We have enclosed booties. Don't like the sounds of the vaseline. Any other ideas?

You could always try K-Y jelly or Astroglide.

We got it the first time, Bridges/Paul.
How old are you?

or you could just clip your toenails!

The idea is to keep the rubber from rubbing the skin. I usually use socks, but also have had good results with putting cloth adhesive tape, not bandaids, around each toe which usually gets rubbed. The adhesive tape, or a thin felted plaster, can be applied to the flat areas such as the top or sides of the feet.