If you’re looking for one of the best full-face snorkel masks as a first-timer, you’ve probably come across at least one of these 3 snorkeling masks:
But which one do you choose?!?!
Well first…
Tribord Easybreath vs Seaview 180
For everything you need to know about the tribord easybreath vs seaview 180, see here! Okay, maybe not everything, but a lot of considerations!
And for how the Tribord Easybreath snorkel mask works, see here. Actually that is generally for all full-face snorkel masks, but shows the Tribord Easybreath! To see the Octobermoon featured, see here.
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
Full-face snorkel masks for snorkeling beginners
If you’ve never gone snorkeling before, you may have heard stories of how it takes time to get used to wearing a standard snorkeling mask like one of these. That includes the breathing part, and that can also include the snorkel in your mouth. Your jaw may not react so kindly to the snorkel in your mouth.
The thing about a full-face snorkel mask is that it makes it a lot easier for you to get used to breathing underwater. And, because of the way the mask is designed, the issue of straining your jaw is a non-issue.
There are still parts of a full-face snorkel mask that you might need to get used to, like breathing only through your nose underwater, but compared to a regular snorkeling mask, it has potential to make for a much better first-time snorkeling experience for beginners!
And if you have a mustache, your mustache will also pretty much likely be a non-issue with a full-face snorkel mask. With a standard snorkel mask, the mask hugs just below your nose, potentially creating annoyances of slight leaking which can also lead to a higher chance of fogging up your mask. What if you have a beard? Well, of course experiences can vary, but check out this guy’s experience with a FULL BEARD. (Picture of his beard there.) He liked using his tribord easybreath. Skip ahead to more stories snorkeling with a beard.
By choosing the best full-face snorkel mask for your face size, you’ll minimize the risk of the mask leaking or fogging up. If you didn’t see the video up above, this video also includes sizing tips with how a full-face snorkel mask should fit so it doesn’t leak.
GoPro snorkel mask
If you definitely want to be able to mount your GoPro to your snorkeling mask, you might want to go with this one. Otherwise, you can get some good shots just holding your GoPro! You actually might get better shots holding your camera instead of it being mounted anyway. Here’s the problem. But, if you’re able to get a system down with the camera angle, you may end up loving it! It also depends on what you want to capture. Just something to consider.
Kids snorkel mask
If you’re getting a full-face snorkel set for kids, you might want to go with this one. They make picking the size for kids super easy.
Prescription snorkel mask
If you wear glasses and you definitely want a prescription snorkeling mask… well, you don’t want to go with any of these 3 actually. None of them have a prescription option! Instead, this one is a prescription full-face snorkeling mask.
Made for outdoor enthusiasts BY outdoor enthusiasts!
If you’re looking for a company you can really trust, go with this one. This isn’t to say that you can’t trust the other companies. But we trust people who are like us, right? 😉
If you take a look at the other products they sell – a bunch of gear for your outdoor adventures – you really do know that heart goes into their products, because they are adventurers just like you!
Can you wear a full-face snorkeling mask with a beard?
So back to snorkeling with a beard.
Well, yes, you can! And you know that from that bearded man’s experience using his tribord easybreath! 😉 Did you miss it? Well, here it is.
Now, here are a few more stories from snorkelers with beards using an Octobermoon snorkel mask.
- Success story: Read here
- Another success story: Read here
- This is another success story BUT he says he did have a make a compromise: Read here
- Another leaking mask problem but there was a fix with the vaseline trick: Read here
Other things you might want to go with your full face snorkel mask
- This type of case so you can take pristine underwater pictures with your camera. (It’s cheap!)
- This type of pouch so you can take your valuables with you in the water!
- This personal buoy or this flotation snorkel vest so your family on the beach can spot you out in the water in an instant!
- These types of UV protection shirts to wear so you don’t burn under the strong tropical sun rays when you’re in the water! You’ll find shirts for women, men, and kids so have a look!
- These types of beach shoes if you’re not wearing fins so that you can protect your feet from sharp rocks hidden under the sand on the beach and in the water!
- This type of beach bag that’s open air to start the drying of your beach gear after you’re done snorkeling to get ready for the next beach day!
For a more in-depth look at what to bring for your snorkeling adventures, have a look at what to wear snorkeling!
HAPPY SNORKELING!
snorkeling when you don’t know how to swim | hawaii beaches | what to pack for hawaii | what to pack for a caribbean cruise | what not to bring on a cruise
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🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling