How to Choose a Mask and Snorkel that Suits Your Face and Ability (Part 1)

A detailed guide to happy eyes and happy lungs!

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be a dolphin or a mermaid?

Humans in their ingenuity have invented things like snorkeling and SCUBA to explore the underwater world. So why is it our most enticing underwater dreams involve being a different species, rather than donning a mask and snorkel, or a SCUBA tank?

The answer is simple:

We don’t merely dream of visiting the ocean’s realms. We wonder what it would be like to call them home.

Though we can’t enchant ourselves with magic, our inventions can still get us closer than you might realize! My guess is you think of snorkeling gear as something you use, not as something transformative. But a kind of magic happens when you put on a mask, snorkel, and fins that feel tailor-made for your body…

The water starts feeling like home.

If you’ve decided to buy your own mask and snorkel, you’re looking for that feeling. Renting and impulse buying won’t cut it for you. I think that’s awesome! Even if you’re a total beginner, investing in your own gear is a wise decision you won’t regret.

A mask and snorkel are the most basic pieces of underwater exploration equipment you can own. When taken care of, a quality mask and snorkel will last you 25+ years! You’re making a long-term investment that will set you forth on all kinds of adventures. That includes not only snorkeling but SCUBA and freediving as well!

But now comes the dreaded step: Shopping!

Okay, I admit I hate shopping for anything. But even enthusiastic shoppers can feel intimidated when buying something unfamiliar. After all, there’s a dizzying variety of designs, brands, styles, and features to choose from! Plus, choosing a mask and snorkel isn’t like picking out a new dress or pair of shoes. Quality sporting equipment must not only fit well, it must also be safe and durable.

I’ve been snorkeling since I was 8 years old. I’ve done it for fun, and I’ve done it for work. Trying to enjoy beautiful underwater vistas with a leaky, foggy mask, or an aching jaw is beyond frustrating! Finding time for vacations and adventures in this unforgiving, fast-paced world is hard enough. Every opportunity you have to experience the ocean’s wonders in-person is precious. Don’t waste them by using uncomfortable, badly-fitting equipment!

With the right gear, your snorkeling experiences will drastically improve, and you will start to feel at home in the water.

So what’s the “right” gear? This guide has everything you need to figure that out!

But first, let’s start with a snorkeling secret…

How pro snorkelers (a.k.a. freedivers) choose their masks and snorkels

I’m obsessed with freediving (sometimes also called skin diving), though I’ve only recently had the chance to dabble in it myself. For those who may not know, freediving is when you dive on your own breath. With the right equipment and training, freediving pros can swim down dozens of meters deep and hold their breath for up to 10 minutes! Isn’t that wild?? Talk about feeling at home in the water! Because I’m fascinated by this remarkable sport, I like to watch freediving videos on YouTube. But after watching these amazing athletes, I noticed something intriguing…

They wear unique, strange-looking equipment. Their super long fins are the most obvious, but take a closer look at their masks and snorkels…

Freediving masks and snorkels are sleeker and less obtrusive than anything you’ll see on a casual snorkeler or even a SCUBA diver. Why is that? To find out, I immersed myself in articles about the technology of masks and snorkels. I came to a realization that may seem counter-intuitive at first glance:

Freediving masks and snorkels can be fantastic choices for casual snorkelers too!

They offer superior function and comfort compared to the large, clunky sets so many beginners use. In fact, top manufacturers now incorporate freediving designs into many models they market to casual snorkelers and SCUBA divers.

What else can you learn from freediving pros? How to think about your snorkeling gear.

Do you want to feel like you belong in the water? Do you want to fight with the water, or do you want the water to support your movements? Achieving graceful efficiency doesn’t only come from technique and practice. It comes from having the right equipment. The right equipment facilitates your mind-body connection. You’re not wearing a costume or a protective bubble, you are adding extensions to your body.

The mask and snorkel aren’t mere things the diver wears, they are the diver’s eyes, mouth, nose, and airway.

Don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed! You’ll soon find your best mask and snorkel!

In fact, I’m glad you feel overwhelmed. Why? Because that means you actually care about making an informed decision. It means you care about having the most amazing underwater experience possible!

I promise that if you keep reading, you’ll come away with a tidy, manageable short-list. Maybe you’ll even settle on a final choice!

This three-part series will teach you:

• Where to buy quality masks and snorkels
• How a mask and snorkel should fit
• What the basic designs and features are
• How to decide which designs and features are best for you

Your trip is coming up! The last thing you want to do is make a last-minute purchase that will waste your money and leave you miserable!

How much does a quality mask and snorkel set cost?

Quick answer: A quality mask and snorkel from a dive shop will run you anywhere between $30 – $200 US dollars. The exact amount depends on the features you want, and the type/intensity of your activity (not to mention sales and discounts).

Now you might be thinking, “Hang on, I’ve seen mask and snorkel sets for way cheaper at resort gift shops! Why should I spend more at a dive store?”

Of course, I like a good deal as much the next person, but here’s the thing:

Masks and snorkels aren’t toys. They are specialized sporting equipment.

The quality of your snorkeling gear depends on its design, materials, and manufacturing. A high-quality snorkel and mask will be comfortable, durable, and much safer to use than a snorkel and mask of questionable quality.

As a general rule, you can be confident in the following brands: Cressi, Mares, Aqua Lung, Scubapro, TUSA, Oceanic, Omer, and Atomic.

These companies have spent many years (decades in some cases) perfecting the design and construction of snorkeling and diving equipment. They are the go-to choices for amateurs and pros alike. While it’s possible you may find some of these brands at a hotel store, you’re much better off going to a dive shop.

Should you buy your mask and snorkel online or at a physical dive shop?

Whether you buy online or in-person is up to you. There are pros and cons to each option:

The main advantage of going to a physical dive-shop is that you can test the fit of your mask and snorkel right away. There will also be staff on-hand to help you. However, dive shops aren’t quite as common as your average department store. Perhaps you aren’t lucky enough to live within an accessible distance of one. If you do, it may only have a limited selection of items and sizes in stock.

On the other hand, online dive shops have much wider selections for you to choose from. That goes for brands, models, and sizes. You can shop from home, and your purchases will be conveniently delivered to your doorstep! The major downside is you’ll have to wait until after purchasing to determine if your gear fits well.

As for cost, online dive shops tend to have more frequent promotional offers, discounts, and sales than physical dive shops. But unlike shopping in-person, you may have to pay for shipping and customs. How things add up will depend on your specific location and the stores/items in question.

My advice is to at least start your shopping online

That way, you can browse many different kinds of items, read reviews, and make a short-list. If you live near a dive shop, they might have an online catalog. Then you can make your final decision based on your personal circumstances. For example, your local dive shop might have what you’re looking for, but there’s a better deal for your items at an online store.

Related Post: Where to Buy High-Quality Snorkeling Gear

My go-to online dive shop is Leisure Pro. I’ve always found exactly what I need there because their stock is great and their website is easy to navigate. Their shipping is reasonable (even to Canada where I am!), and I’ve had smooth experiences with their customer service. Many of their items qualify for free shipping if you’re in the US. They also have a 60-day return policy for a full refund on the cost of the item.

Other popular online dive shops include: Divers Direct, Divers-Supply, Scuba.com, and Simply Scuba (shipping from the UK). I’ve not bought anything from these stores, though, so I can’t personally vouch for them.

If you’re buying snorkeling gear online for the first time, then check out a few of these sites. See if you like their selection, if they ship to your location, and if you enjoy browsing the products. You’re more likely to make a bad choice if you want the shopping experience over with fast! (This may or may not have been the reason for most of my regretted purchases in the past… *guilty face*)

Should you choose a mask and snorkel set or buy each separately?

Again, this one’s up to you. The main advantage of a set is that you’ll be saving some money and time. Sets are an ideal choice if you don’t need specific features on both your mask and snorkel. If they’re in a set, the mask and snorkel may also be designed to work well together.

But maybe you do want specific features on each item, such as corrective lenses or splash guards. In that case, finding a set where both have everything you need will be tricky. If you’re a perfectionist with your comfort and style, then buying separately will let you mix and match for an optimal combination.

How to choose a mask and snorkel set

Okay, you’ve decided you want a combination set, and now you want to know what some good choices are. This section is for you! However, if you want to get into all the details, then skip to the next section!

Recommended snorkel sets for beginners

You’re a beginner if you’re at least one of the following:

• Never snorkeled before
• Not a strong swimmer
• Not comfortable in the water

The following sets all include dry or semi-dry snorkels. These are better at keeping water out of the snorkel tube than a classic snorkel. The masks are also low-volume, which is a freediving feature. Beginners will enjoy a low-volume mask due to the wide field-of-vision it provides.

All that said, these mask and snorkel combos are suitable for seasoned snorkelers as well!

1. Cressi Eyes Evolution Crystal Mask Dry Snorkel Set and Big Eyes Mask/Dry Snorkel Set

• A low-volume mask designed for adults with small to average faces; choose Big Eyes if you’re average and Eyes if you’re small
• The design of the lenses and the soft, clear skirt make the mask feel “invisible”
• The dry snorkel is contoured for an ergonomic fit and includes a replaceable mouthpiece, purge valve, flex tube, and quick-release snorkel attachment clip
• Check out the Cressi Eyes/Big Eyes Evolution Masks and Cressi Supernova Dry Snorkel in Part 2 and Part 3 (respectively) for further details!

2. TUSA Sport Liberator Snorkeling Combo

• A mask suitable for wider faces that features a low-volume design despite the large lenses
• Corrective lenses are available for this mask
• The contoured semi-dry snorkel includes a replaceable swivel mouthpiece and a simple snorkel clip
• Check out the TUSA Sport Liberator Mask in the Recommended Masks section of Part 2 for further details!

3. Cressi Perla Mask/Dry Snorkel Combo

• A great budget option for beginners who still want a quality low-volume mask and dry snorkel
• The Perla Mask is an older, tried-and-true model that seals well on a wide variety of face sizes. However, the fit is quite snug and may take some getting used to if you’ve only ever used high-volume masks before
• The dry snorkel is contoured for an ergonomic fit and includes a replaceable mouthpiece, purge valve, flex tube, and quick-release snorkel attachment clip
• Check out the Cressi Supernova Dry Snorkel in the Recommended Snorkels section of Part 3 for further details!

Recommended snorkel set for folks interested in freediving

You’ve had some experience snorkeling, you are practiced at clearing water from the tube, and are looking for gear that is more suited to freediving. You’ll want a low-volume mask and a smaller, lighter snorkel for minimal drag.

Cressi Perla Mask Mexico Snorkel Package

• This set also features the Perla Mask, which fits a wide variety of face sizes
• The lenses sit close to your face for a wide field of vision and the nose pocket is easy to pinch even with gloved hands, an essential feature for freedivers who need to equalize their ears on descent
• The Mexico Snorkel is the same model as Cressi’s Corsica Snorkel (see Recommended Snorkels in Part 3), but it includes a simple splash guard. This low-profile snorkel is light, flexible, and has a swivel mouthpiece

What’s Next?

That’s it for Part 1 of this series! Next, we take a closer look at the ins and outs of choosing a snorkel mask…

Part 2: What to look for in a snorkel mask, plus recommendations for different face shapes

Part 3: How to decide if you should get a classic, semi-dry, or dry snorkel, plus recommendations for each type

Disclaimer: Some of the links used in this article are affiliate links. That means I may get a small commission if you buy a product after following the link. If this guide helped you make a decision, consider it like giving me a little thank you!

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