Are you looking for the best snorkel mask for beginners? You’ve come to the right place! Learning to snorkel can be difficult, even scary for some, but you can set yourself up for ultimate success on the water by investing in quality gear suitable to meet your goals. This will make the entire snorkeling process easier and much less intimidating so that you’ll be able to enjoy your time in the water as much as possible. Buying the right mask will make it much easier for you to see marine life around you and prevent worrying about it fogging, slipping or interfering with breathing.
A snorkel mask, for both beginners and experts, should fit tight enough around your head and face so that it does not slip loose when you are in the water, but not so tight that it is uncomfortable. Here we’ve gathered a list of the best masks for beginners to help you enjoy your time in the water and get started snorkeling quickly and with ease. Keep reading to find out more about what makes a good snorkeling mask, and some of the best options on the market today!
Comparison Chart
Best Snorkel Mask for Beginners Reviewed
1. Tusa Liberator Mask: Enjoy a Wide Field of Vision
Review
Traditionally, people learning to snorkel use a separate mask and snorkel tube, making this type of snorkel mask very popular and easy to find on the market. However, this doesn’t mean that they are all the same level of quality. This particular product from Tusa offers great visibility all around you, ensuring you never miss any of the action underwater. Additionally, this mask is very simple for beginners to put on and fit correctly so they don’t have difficulty getting into the water.
This mask is made from a solid and durable frame and it’s design is great for narrow or standard faces. Unfortunately, people with wider faces may struggle to make wearing comfortable for long periods of time.
One major benefit of using this snorkel mask is that if you have to wear corrective lenses, then you can easily have them installed into this mask so that you will enjoy great vision while snorkeling. Otherwise, it can be very difficult and frustrating for people, especially beginners, who need glasses or contacts to learn to snorkel and get a clear view under the water.
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2. WildHorn Outfitters Snorkel Mask: An Outstanding Snorkel Mask
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If you’re looking to make sure that your first time snorkeling is as pleasant as possible, then you’ll want to consider a snorkel mask that is full-face. These masks make it very easy to breathe through either your nose or your mouth while snorkeling without having to hold onto the snorkel tube with your mouth. The Seaview snorkel mask from Wildhorn Outfitters offers a snug fit that is very comfortable and comes in different sizes so you can easily buy the right one for your needs.
The wide straps are very easy to adjust and won’t get tangled in your hair while you are snorkeling. Additionally, the dry snorkel technology will keep out any salt water to prevent ingesting water. Additionally, this mask is almost fog-free, thanks to a separate breathing chamber, which is great to keep beginners from being frustrated when they have trouble seeing. Because these masks are easy to put on, you won’t have to spend a long time preparing to get in the water and can enjoy more time exploring the lush underwater world around you.
If you're looking for a quick answer: we recommend this product as the best snorkel mask for a beginning snorkeler!
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3. Tribod Easybreath Mask (2019 Version): Great for Natural Breathing
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Beginners who want to learn how to snorkel often have problems learning how to breathe correctly, which is why using a snorkel mask that covers the entire face is such a good idea. Because you will be able to breathe out of your mouth and nose without worrying about holding onto a tube with your teeth, you can focus more on what is going on around you rather than on your breathing. This mask fits very snuggly to your face to prevent water from reaching your nose or your mouth.
While not ideal for freediving, this is a great mask for a beginner as the window is shatterproof, offers 180-degree views, and can fit small children to large adults as long as you buy the right size mask for your needs. Additionally, because there are so many sizes available, it is easy to find one that will fit your children as they learn to snorkel for the first time.
Tripod has also updated this mask for 2019 and we approve of the improvements. While this isn't our highest rated snorkeling mask, it's a good budget option.
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4. Greatever Snorkel Mask
Review: A Good Snorkeling Mask Option for Beginners
Foldable snorkel masks are a new product which make it much easier and safer for people to spend time snorkeling. Rather than being difficult to put on and having a breathing tube that can easily slip off, foldable snorkel masks are designed for fast and easy use without any pieces being easily removed.
This snorkel mask is designed to seal tightly over the whole face, which allows the user to easily see underwater and breathe naturally, reducing the risk of underwater stress and fear. Users can breathe through both the nose and the mouth comfortably without worrying about fogging up the viewing area.
If water does leak around the edge of the mask, this Greatever snorkel mask is designed to drain water immediately from the bottom as soon as the wearer lifts their head out of the water. Rather than having to remove the mask to allow water to drain or blowing through a tube to clear the water, this is much safer, faster, and easier.
Even inexperienced swimmers can benefit from using this snorkel mast, as it is easy to put on and take off and does a great job preventing water from getting on the face. Snorkelers who want to show off the sights that they are enjoying underwater will enjoy the detachable Gopro mount, which makes it easy to capture action film of a snorkeling adventure.
Some designs of snorkel masks have curved lenses that distort vision and can cause users to get dizzy and have headaches, but not the Greatever snorkel mask. The newly-designed lens provides comfort when under the water and decreases the likelihood of users becoming dizzy or disoriented. If you're a beginning snorkeler, this is a quality choice.
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5. Cressi Mask Snorkel Set
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The single lens design of this mask makes it easy for users to see the underwater world around them while snorkeling, without worrying about vision distortion or dizziness. Additionally, the glass lens is ultra clear and designed to allow snorkelers to really enjoy the vivid colors under the beautiful blue water.
In addition to providing a wide field of vision, this mask is easy to adjust for maximum comfort thanks to the push button buckle. Adjusting straps for some designs can be time consuming with other snorkel masks, but not with this option from Cressi.
As a dry top snorkel, this snorkel mask has a few features that are designed specifically to help prevent water from entering the mask and from entering the user’s mouth. The quick release snorkel keeper makes it easy to remove the tube when in a hurry, and the tight seal around the user’s face helps to prevent water from getting in the eyes.
The special valve on this snorkel will instantly seal the mouth tube when the snorkel is submerged, which prevents water from entering the mouth and putting the users in danger. Additionally, it features an easy clear purge valve on the off chance that water is able to enter the tube, allowing the wearer to blow quickly and remove any water from their breathing apparatus.
This Cressi snorkel also includes a corrugated section on the lower end of the breathing tube, which is designed to trap water, allowing it to drain into the collection reservoir.
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Buyer's Guide
A snorkeling mask is an important piece of gear for anyone going snorkeling and who wants to make the most of their time under the water. While it’s easy to rent these masks while visiting the beach, it’s typically a better idea to invest in one of your own that you can use whenever you want to. Doing so will ensure that you have a mask on hand that fits your face snuggly and comfortably so that you don’t have to deal with leaking or uncomfortable straps while exploring the underwater world.
Understanding the key features to look for when choosing a snorkeling mask suited to your needs will ensure you’re happy with your purchase for years to come. Here we’ve gathered a simple guide for snorkel masks to get you into the water in no time!
1. Anti-Fog Technology
Nobody wants to deal with a snorkel mask that fogs, not to mention it causes a safety hazard while underwater. While there are some great ways to treat fog, opting for a mask that is designed to resist fogging in the first place is the best way to ensure safety and convenience while exploring the deep blue.
Thanks to anti-fog technology, certain masks are designed to resist fogging when in the water. Additionally, they will allow users to enjoy more time swimming and less time worrying about their visibility in the water around them.
2. Types of Seals
The seals on a mask are what help the mask to fit snug to the face and are designed to prevent water from entering the mask. Unfortunately, not all seals are built the same, and some are much higher quality than others are, which can have a huge effect on how well they work and if they are able to prevent water from entering the mask.
By looking for a snorkeling mask that has durable seals which are strong and watertight, you will be able to enjoy a better experience underwater. This way you’ll ensure that it is very unlikely that much water will be able to enter the mask, obscuring your view and causing you to rise to the surface early to empty it.
3. Range of View
Having clear visibility with ease from a snorkeling mask is crucial to ensuring that you fully enjoy your experience underwater. There are a few different options to choose from when shopping for a mask, each offering a different range of view depending on your needs.
A full face mask is the best option for anyone who wants the ability to easily see all around them without any obstructions. Frameless designs are another wonderful option and make it easy to see up, down, and to the sides without problems. Remember that each style comes with it’s pros and cons, choosing the one that’s right for you in important to your snorkeling success.
4. Enclosed Nose
An enclosed nose that is within the eye pockets is especially important for beginners, but additionally, even more advanced users can benefit from this feature on their snorkeling mask. When a mask features an enclosed nose, it’s significantly easier to equalize when going under the water. This also helps to prevent water from coming into the mask and being inhaled through the nose when snorkeling.
5. Touch Adjustment Buckles
Adjusting a snorkeling mask underneath the water can be a bit unusual at first, especially for beginners, which is why touch adjustment buckles are so important. These buckles are designed to make it incredibly easy for users to adjust their masks without having to come up for air or ask someone else for help. This means that it’s easier than ever to fit the mask comfortably to the head and make an adjustment on the go without any assistance needed.
6. Low Volume Design
A snorkeling mask that is low volume will sit much closer to the face than one that is deeper and has a larger volume. This is beneficial because it will actually help to reduce the amount of drag that a person experiences when they are under the water, giving them more control and allowing them to move easily through the water without any problems.
These masks are also much easier to clean when under the water, which is why they are such a good idea for beginners who don’t have a lot of experience with cleaning their masks on the go. Some people may prefer a mask with a larger volume, but these are generally left to snorkelers or other divers who have this specific need and can handle the larger volume without problems.
7. Types of Masks
Different mask designs serve different purposes underwater, and which mask you choose should depend on your goals while snorkeling.
Single Window Mask
2 Window Masks
Side Window Masks
Corrective Lens Mask
Color Correcting Mask
Built in Purge Valve Mask
Masks with a single window provide a continuous window of glass throughout the mask, ensuring an unobstructed view. Many divers of all skill levels appreciate this style of mask because it has no frame between the users eyes, which allows for ultimate comfort and maximum viewing ability while under the sea.
Two window masks are designed with two panes of glass which are separated by a frame. The features of this mask mean it’s design sits close to the face, which offers benefits when it comes to clearing the mask of fog and to equalize. A downfall of this style of snorkeling mask is that if you don’t choose a model that’s right for your face, it can put pressure on the bridge of your nose causing discomfort or water leakage. It also poses a risk if your mask is bumped into, because it can be painful or cause trouble while underwater.
Masks featuring a side window are designed with 2 extra panes of glass which are found on the sides of the mask, making for optimum viewing underwater. These masks allows for additional light to enter the mask and improves the user's field of vision. Generally a bit larger than other styles of snorkeling masks, these styles may require slightly more air to clear them of fog and may be a bit heavier on the head and face.
Corrective lens masks are specifically customized to the user because of their wide variety of corrective lenses for use by their clients. Some companies even offer mask designs with interchangeable lenses for use by multiple people, or with or without contact lenses. Wearing glasses while snorkeling can often interfere with the seal of the mask, which prevents water from leaking in. To resolve this issue, there are companies who provide these customized masks to make your underwater diving experience the best yet.
Masks designed with color correcting features offer added benefits to visibility underwater. Below sea level, certain colors are lessened and eventually lost to the human eye, which can make defining objects more difficult. These masks can help to increase your vision underwater, and provide a clearer view of the marine life around you.
Masks designed with built in purge valves have many benefits, such as being easier to clear while under the ocean’s surface. Snorkelers and divers around the world appreciate this mask style for its convenience and safety while underwater. Additionally, choosing a mask with a purge valve built in can prevent additional expenses later on when you’ve decided that it’d be good to have one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean my snorkeling mask?
Cleaning and maintaining your mask the right way is important to ensure it’s longevity for years to come. The best way to accomplish this after a dive is to use fresh water shortly after use. Simply dip the mask in fresh water and allow it to run over the mask, removing any salt that has the potential to deteriorate the mask materials. Additionally, make sure to gently wash away debris, such as sand, that could otherwise stick to the mask and scratch it while it is in storage.
Why is my mask leaking?
Snorkel masks can leak for a variety of reasons, but most of the time this occurs when you are not wearing the right size. By simply going up or down a size, you can often take care of this problem. If it doesn’t, however, then there is likely another issue at bay. If something, such as a grain of sand, is in between the seal and skin, then this can cause a leak.
Other problems can be that the straps aren’t tight enough for a snug fit, or that the mask isn’t completely centered on the face. If you haven’t invested in a quality product, it could potentially be a flawed design. Prevent this by doing your research and following our guide to get yourself in the water as soon as possible!
How do I stop the mask from fogging?
While some people buy products that are designed to prevent masks from fogging, there are less expensive ways to take care of this problem. The most common treatment for a fogging mask is to simply spit into the mask and then rinse it out. Sounds weird, right? If that doesn’t sound appealing, then using toothpaste is another great option. After putting a tiny bit on the tip of a finger, rub it all over the lens and then rinse off any extra in the water.
Can I wear glasses with my mask?
Generally speaking, wearing glasses with a snorkeling mask can cause it to leak. Glasses simply change the fit of the mask to the face, and often prevent a tight seal against the skin which is used to stop leaks. It’s a much better option to wear contacts under a snorkeling mask, as this will allow you to easily see without having to worry about leaking.
Alternatively, it's possible to special order masks with prescription lenses to offer you a convenient and customized experience under the sea.
The Verdict
Learning how to snorkel can be overwhelming, however, with the right snorkel gear it doesn’t have to be! When you want to make sure that you or the beginners among your group will be safe and comfortable in the water, then your best bet is the Wildhorn Outfitters Seaview snorkel mask. While there isn't a one size fits all mask, most people found this particular mask to have a very comfortable fit and convenient design.
Not only is this mask easy to use but beginners will love that they can attach GoPro cameras to their masks to look back at a later time on their underwater footage. This is sure to help inspire confidence in beginners and help them fall in love with the snorkeling experience over and over again.
Are you ready to get in the water and explore the beautiful, lush underwater world? Or do you have an epic first snorkeling experience you’d like to share? Tell us about it in the comment section below. We love to hear from our readers and fellow ocean lovers!
Megan Jones leads the editorial staff of Seaside Planet. They are a multidisciplinary team of outdoor adventurers, water sports lovers, and passionate beach goers. You can learn more about Meg and the rest of the editorial team here.
