Picking the Right Mask for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Diving masks allow you to see underwater by placing a layer of air between your eyes and the water. Masks for snorkeling and skin diving are designed to cover your nose and eyes, but not your mouth.

Like most diving gear today, masks come in a wide range of styles, colors, and sizes. Almost any mask purchased from a quality sporting goods store or specialty dive shop will be acceptable provided it has a tempered glass lens and fits your face comfortably.

The fit of the mask is determined by the rubber seal that sits against your face. Generally, the softer the seal, the more comfortable the mask. However, no matter how comfortable the seal feels on your face, it will be ineffective if it allows water past the edge of the seal into the mask.

To test the fit of the mask, fold the strap down over the front of the lens and hold the mask against your face. Make sure none of your hair is trapped underneath the seal. Inhale sharply through your nose and hold your breath. The mask should stay in position without the strap or you holding it in place.

If the mask quickly falls away from your face, it does not fit. No matter how comfortable the mask feels, how much you like the color or design, if it doesn't make an effective seal against your face, don't buy it. You should never buy a mask unless you have the opportunity to try it on first, unless you are replacing an existing mask with the identical model.

There are masks with single lenses, dual lenses, and even as many as five lenses. You will find that smaller masks have a lower internal volume, weight less, and are usually preferred for serious skin diving. Masks with more windows and higher volumes often have better visibility and are preferred by some divers for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Never buy a mask with a plastic lens because the lens will scratch and the optical quality will usually be poor. All quality diving masks are made from "tempered glass" and it will usually say this right on the lens, in fine print, up near the top of the glass. If it doesn't say "tempered" or "tempered glass" on the lens, ask the salesperson. If they don't know, either select another mask or find someone who can confirm what type of lens has been used.
All new masks need to be prepared before using them for the first time by washing them with a mild dish soap to remove any chemicals that remain on the lens from the manufacturing process. Failure to remove these chemicals, which are not visible to your eye, will cause the mask to "fog" when you use it in the water, making it difficult to see clearly underwater.