Buying a Mask & Snorkel for an Ocean Safari

There's a big difference between snorkeling on vacation and going on an ocean safari. On a beach trip, you might float around for 20 minutes in calm shallow water.

On an ocean safari, you’re jumping in the open ocean from a boat. The water may be moving and choppy and you may be going in and out all day.

Your mask and snorkel are small pieces of gear but they can completely change your experience, especially on an ocean expedition.

If they work, you’ll forget they’re on your face. If they don’t, it distracts you and is all you can think about.

Why it’s important

The ocean is deep, open and unpredictable. The last thing you want is to feel stressed because your mask is leaking or fogging up and your snorkel is hard to breathe through. The best gear doesn’t distract you or take away from your experience in the water.

What to look for in a quality mask for ocean safaris

Fit matters more than brand.

The best way to test a mask:

• Place it gently on your face without using the strap.

• Inhale slightly through your nose.

• If it seals and stays on your face for a few seconds without falling off, that’s a good fit.

Every face is different. A mask that works perfectly for your friend might leak on you. One tip that people often overlook is over tightening. A lot of leaks come from that. When you crank the straps, the silicone warps and creates gaps.

It should feel snug but not squeeze.

Material & Color

Look for:

• Soft silicone skirt (not hard plastic)

• Tempered glass lenses

• Flexible strap

  
  

Soft silicone molds to your face and creates a better seal. Hard plastic skirts almost always leak.

Color is a more personal preference, but it does make a difference.

• Clear silicone feels more open and lets in more light.

• Black silicone reduces glare and reflections.

  
  

If you’re in bright tropical water, black silicone can feel more calming and focused.

If you’re newer to snorkeling, clear can feel less enclosed.

A few brands I like are:

• Riffe

• Omer

• Cressi

• Mares

Here's a link to a website that has a ton of great options: scuba.com

Full face mask vs regular

Full face masks are popular for snorkeling at resorts but they’re not ideal for open ocean safaris.

Here’s why:

• They’re bulky.

• They’re harder to equalize.

• They’re not designed for diving below the surface.

• They’re more difficult to clear if something goes wrong.

On ocean safaris, you may want to do short duck dives to get closer to wildlife and be in choppier water. Making quick adjustments is important and it's hard to do that with a full face mask.

A traditional mask and snorkel gives you more control and more awareness. They’re simpler. And in the ocean, simpler is usually better.

What to do after you buy it

A lot of people don’t realize that you have to prep your mask before you use it. If you don’t it causes fogged lenses. Imagine being in the ocean with a humpback whale and not being able to see it because your mask is completely fogged up!

New masks come with a thin manufacturing film on the inside of the lenses. If you don’t remove it, your mask will fog constantly.

Option 1: Gritty Toothpaste

• Use a white, non-gel toothpaste.

• Rub it firmly into the inside of the lenses.

• Let it sit overnight.

• Rinse thoroughly the next day.

You may need to do this a couple of times.

Option 2: Burning

Some people lightly pass a lighter flame across the inside of the glass to burn off the film.

This method works really well but should be done carefully.

• Keep the flame moving.

• Don’t overheat the glass.

• Do not burn the silicone.

  
  

If you’re not comfortable doing this, toothpaste is safer.

What to look for in a quality snorkel for ocean safaris

This is where people often overcomplicate things. You don’t need a snorkel with a mechanical cap or sealed top. These are called dry snorkels and are not designed for short dives, choppy water, or deep water. They’re designed to seal shut when submerged and only meant for calm shallow water.

They’re not designed for

• Short dives

• Choppy water

• Deeper water

• Repeated ocean entries

  
  

For ocean safaris, we recommend a simple open snorkel (classic J style)

Simple snorkels clear much easier, are lighter and more reliable.

How to pack it

We suggest packing your mask and snorkel in your carry on if possible. Using a protective case and not keeping it under heavy gear will ensure it arrives on your ocean safari trip safely.

This isn’t about fancy gear

It's about feeling steady in the water. The more comfortable you are with your mask and snorkel, the more present you’ll be when something incredible swims into view. And those moments happen fast. Having gear you trust means you won’t miss them.