A Tackle Shop Guide to Masks & Snorkels
This is where you'll find individual masks, snorkels, and goggles for ale, allowing you to upgrade a single piece of your kit or replace a leaky mask. The difference between a cheap item and a good one comes down to materials and design. This guide will walk you through the technical features to look for.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"As an angler, having a good mask and snorkel in the boat is practical. I've used mine to do everything from scouting new ground, to just general snorkelling to soak up the scenery in places like Bass Point and Jervis Bay.
We stock these standalone items because we know that an experienced angler or recreational snorkeler doesn't always need a whole new 'kit'—they may just need a better mask that seals better, or a snorkel that doesn't make their jaw sore."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop | Retailer for 20+ years
Choosing Your Mask or Goggles
Your first choice is deciding if you need a full mask, a simple pair of goggles, or a full-face mask.
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Snorkel Masks: A mask is designed to create a waterproof seal around your eyes and nose. This allows you to breathe through your snorkel and is essential for diving under the surface.
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Swimming Goggles: Goggles are a simpler item, designed only to seal around your eyes. They are perfect for surface swimming or laps in a pool where you don't need to cover your nose.
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What About Full-Face Masks? These all-in-one masks have grown in popularity for casual surface snorkelling. While they offer a wide view and let you breathe through your nose or mouth, and while we sometimes stock a couple, we don't suggest them for a practical reason: you cannot dive under the water with them. You are unable to "equalise" (pinch your nose) to relieve pressure, limiting you to the surface. For an angler or a more serious snorkeler who wants to dive down to inspect structure or grab a lure, a traditional mask and snorkel is far more practical and versatile.
Mask Features That Matter
When you're upgrading your mask, you're paying for better vision, comfort, and fit. Here’s the breakdown of what to look for:
Pro-Tip: The 2-Second 'Seal Test'
Before you even look at the strap, check if a mask fits your face shape. Place the mask gently on your face without using the strap. Inhale lightly through your nose. If the mask has a good seal, it will 'suck' onto your face and stay there even when you let go. This is the single best way to know if a mask is right for you. If it doesn't stick, no amount of tightening will stop it from leaking.
- Clear vs. Black Silicone: A clear silicone skirt lets in more light, which can feel more open and is great for casual, sunny-day snorkeling. A black silicone skirt is what spearfishermen and scuba divers choose. It completely blocks reflected light from the sides, which reduces glare inside the mask and makes it easier to focus on what's in front of you.
- Single-Lens vs. Twin-Lens: A single-lens mask offers a wide, open, and uninterrupted field of view. A twin-lens mask, which has two separate lenses, typically sits closer to your face. This creates a "low-volume" mask, which means there is less air inside, making it much easier to clear of water and to "equalise" (by pinching your nose) when diving deeper.
- Mirrored Lenses: A mirror lens is a coating applied to the outside of the main lens. Its only job is to reflect intense, bright light. It's a great feature for snorkeling in bright, tropical, open-water conditions as it significantly reduces eye strain and cuts glare.
Choosing a Better Snorkel
An upgraded snorkel is all about comfort and keeping water out.
- Dry-Top vs. Standard: A "dry-top" snorkel has a valve that seals shut when a wave hits or you submerge, preventing water from entering the tube. This is a feature that many beginners and experienced snorkelers prefer for a much more comfortable, panic-free experience.
- Flex-Tube vs. Rigid: A rigid snorkel is a simple, reliable design. A snorkel with a flexible, corrugated silicone section is designed to pull the mouthpiece away from your face when it's not in use. This makes it a popular choice for scuba divers or anyone who finds a rigid tube gets in the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
My silicone mask still leaks. What am I doing wrong?
This is a very common problem, and it's almost never the mask's fault. The number one cause of a leak is actually over-tightening the strap. This warps the soft silicone skirt and breaks the seal. A mask should only be 'snug,' not cranked down. The other common causes are a single strand of hair or facial hair breaking the seal under your nose.
The snorkel mouthpiece makes my jaw sore. Is that normal?
This is a common complaint, and it almost always comes from biting down too hard on a stiff or poorly-designed mouthpiece. A cheap snorkel often uses a rigid, rubber-like material. A quality snorkel, however, will use a much softer, mouldable silicone mouthpiece that is designed to be held gently between your lips, not clamped in your teeth. This relieves the pressure on your jaw, allowing you to snorkel comfortably for hours.
How do I stop my mask from fogging up all the time?
If you've already done the one-time "toothpaste fix" and your mask still fogs up, the problem is usually one of two things: technique or contamination. The number one cause is technique: you are unconsciously breathing out of your nose, which pumps warm, moist air into the mask. You must train yourself to breathe only through your mouth via the snorkel. The second cause is contamination: sunscreen or skin oils on the lens. A good wash with a drop of dishwashing liquid (not a lotion-based soap) will cut through the oil and allow your anti-fog spray or spit to work properly on the clean glass.
How should I care for my mask and snorkel after a trip?
This is a simple but crucial step. Salt and chlorine will destroy your gear. When you get home, soak your mask and snorkel in a bucket of fresh, warm water for at least 20 minutes to dissolve all salt crystals. Don't use harsh soaps. After a soak, rinse it well, shake off the excess water, and let it air-dry out of the direct sun, as UV rays will degrade the silicone skirt. Store properly and not where the skirt can get warped.
