[Closed] Mask and snorkel recommendations please

If you can, get to a diving shop where you can try a load on with an expert eye advising you.

I found a TUSA mask on offer that fit like a glove where other masks at the TUSAs original price point didn't fit as well.

I can also advise on splashing out on a dry snorkel if you don't adore the taste of seawater!

Get to a shop and try them on.

Like boots, you can get the most expensive, high tech design but if it doesn't fit it's useless.

Personally, I wouldn't get a "dry" snorkel, any snorkel I have seen that has a self draining valve on it, tends to leak after time. Get a basic j tube snorkel with a decent mouthpiece.

Buy some fins to, makes a huge difference.

+1 for dive shop to try out the mask
've got an Oceanic dry snorkel, used for snorkeling and finning out to dive site when scuba'ing from the shore. Never had a problem with it leaking
[url= http://www.simplyscuba.com/products/Oceanic/AridSnorkel.aspx ]This one[/url] and bright colours's a good idea if there are likely to be boats around

More importantly where are you going?

Get the biggest view with a clear surround as you get a better sense of what is around you, including people swimming up beside you.

Not really worth skimping on the 10 or 20 quid difference in mask prices if you are going to be using the mask a lot.

You do need to try them though for fit - if mail order is your only option order several and then send the others back.

I have a dry snorkel as it has been OK for me.

Just bought a Cressi dry snorkel from Decathlon, £15 reduced from £20. Just the mask left. I'll follow everyone's advice and go to the dive shop, there's one within walking distance I'd not even thought about!

We're going to Thailand by the way, some time off but I was bored and the thought accursed to me to get it sorted.

Dive shop we used to live over recommended "any old mask as long as it fits"

Silicon seals are better, but after that its what is comfortable. You should be able to hold it onto your face, breath in gently through your nose and comfortably hold it onto your face by vacuum alone. If it leaks unless its strapped down hard, it doesn't fit.

He also recommended a simple pipe snorkel without any fancy rubbish on the top. (mines a "beaver") its indestructible (you can twist it, stamp on it and fold it, it doesnt stress or damage at all) and the same buoyancy as water so doesnt sink or float if you drop it

i quite fancy one of these.

http://www.tribord.com/en/brand/innovation/easybreath-snorkeling-mask

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so doesnt sink or float if you drop it

What does it do then? Fall through a wormhole to a parallel universe? 🙂

what all the above have said about trying on is very right

one point though, if you have broken your nose in the past and have the enlarged nose bridge, avoid the tusa pano geo, because of the shape of the frame you get a lot of people getting mask squeeze

when you get one, clean the inside with toothpaste as this reduces the fogging (unless the manufacturers instructions tell you specifically not to)

all snorkels sink - unless you put a small section of pipe lagging around the top, don't bother with plastic clippy things to attach the snorkel to the mask, a good oldfashioned rubber loop is the best

remember to put lots of suncream on your back when you go snorkelling, too easy to burn without realising 😀

i asked a similar thing last year and also did some anroak type looking abnout. the result, cressi occhio. can be bought very cheaply with a snorkel and very well regarded. think i paid about 40quid from a dive store on ebay.