How to Choose the Best Scuba Mask & Snorkel Set

Choosing the right scuba mask and snorkel set is essential for a safe and enjoyable snorkeling or freediving experience. A leaky mask or an uncomfortable snorkel can make your dream excursion more challenging than enjoyable. Purchasing bundles is a great way to get the best deals on top-quality equipment, with discounts available when you buy as part of a set, rather than separately. Plus, you know that your scuba mask and snorkel set are suited for each other.

This guide is your roadmap to finding the perfect scuba mask and snorkel set tailored to your diving style and needs. We'll cover the essentials, including finding the perfect fit, choosing your lens type, and understanding the different types of snorkels available to you. We've even included curated recommendations for beginner, intermediate, and advanced snorkelers.

Factors to Consider

Several key factors play a critical role in selecting the best scuba mask and snorkel set for you.

Mask Fit

The most critical aspect of choosing a scuba mask is ensuring a snug and comfortable fit. A well-fitted mask creates a watertight seal, preventing water from entering the mask and obstructing your view. If water ends up in your eyes or nose, it can be detrimental to your snorkeling or freediving experience. Look for adjustable straps and buckles for a customizable fit. Different head shapes also play a role in how a mask fits, with round heads requiring a wider mask and lower temple clearance and narrower masks for those with oval heads. Additionally, high and low bridge noses can impact how a mask fits your face.

A good mask should seal around your eyes without being too tight, and the snorkel should fit snugly in your mouth without being restrictive. You should be able to talk and move your head with the mask remaining in place.

Lens Type

Scuba mask lenses come in two main types: single lens and double lens, each suited to different preferences and needs. Single lenses provide an unobstructed field of vision, while dual lenses offer better depth perception. Single lenses may be easier to clear or defog but can be restrictive if you have more prominent facial features. Double lenses are also better for those who require vision correction, as it is easier to install corrective lenses.

Choose a lens type that aligns with your diving style and preferences. Scuba masks come with different types of lens materials as well, such as tempered glass, plastic, and polycarbonate. Tempered glass is the most durable and scratch-resistant and is the most recommended lens material.

Mask Skirt

The mask skirt is the part that creates a seal against your face. You should always look for a mask skirt made from silicone rather than synthetic rubber. High-grade silicone is not only comfortable but also durable and resistant to wear and tear. Ensure that the skirt is pliable enough to conform to your facial contours while maintaining its shape over time. Silicone is also hypoallergenic, which helps prevent any allergic reactions or discomfort for those with sensitive skin.

Snorkel Features

Snorkels come in two main varieties: dry snorkels and wet snorkels. Dry snorkels have float valves at the top, which seal the opening when submerged, preventing water from entering. It's ideal for beginners and more comfortable for surface swimming with waves or choppy water. Wet snorkels are lightweight and less prone to mechanical failure, but may require more effort to breathe smoothly, so are better suited to those who are more comfortable in the water. The design plays a crucial role in comfort and functionality. Also, look for a snorkel with a comfortable mouthpiece that allows for easy breathing.

Additional Features

Explore sets that come with added features, such as integrated dive masks with prescription lenses for those with corrective vision needs or sets with a compatible action camera mount for capturing your underwater adventures.

The Best Scuba Mask & Snorkel Sets

Now that we've covered what to look for when choosing a scuba mask and snorkel set, here is a full breakdown of the top bundles available:

Beginner:

• Dual Lens Tidal Mask Clear Skirt & Tidal Dry Snorkel Set: This bundle includes a dual lens mask with a clear skirt for enhanced peripheral vision and better visibility in low-light scenarios. It also comes with Tidal’s dry snorkel, which is great for preventing any water from getting in the snorkel when snorkeling or free diving. 

• Dual Lens Tidal Mask Black/White Skirt & Tidal Dry Snorkel Set: The dual lens mask that comes with the bundle has an opaque black or white skirt, which helps to reduce glare and block out extra light when snorkeling in shallow water. It also comes with a dry snorkel, which is the best option for beginners, helping ensure no water enters the snorkel. 

• Single Lens Tidal Mask Clear Skirt & Tidal Dry Snorkel Set: This bundle is a great option for beginner divers or snorkelers. It comes with a single lens Tidal mask with a clear skirt, providing ultimate visibility underwater. It’s low-volume design helps to provide a wide-angle visual field and also makes it easier to clear the mask if it gets water inside. It also comes with a dry snorkel, which won’t let water into the tube when swimming above and below the water. 

Intermediate:

• Single Lens Tidal Mask Black Skirt & Tidal Dry Snorkel Set: This bundle includes a single lens mask with an opaque black skirt, helping to reduce glare and reflections and improving underwater visibility in bright conditions, which can be helpful if you’re sensitive to light. The design is more sleek in appearance than a dual lens, which is what an intermediate snorkeler might be looking for. The bundle also comes with the Tidal Dry snorkel, which offers minimized water intake, and less time spent clearing the water from the tube.

• Single Lens Tidal Mask Black Skirt & Tidal Wet Snorkel Set: This bundle includes a single lens mask with a black skirt and options for both white or black framing. The single lens offers a wider field of view with no obstruction in the middle. It also comes with Tidal’s Roll-Up Wet Snorkel, which has less drag in the water because of its streamlined design. 

• Dual Lens Tidal Mask Clear Skirt & Tidal Wet Snorkel Set: Great for intermediate-level snorkelers, the Tidal mask with dual lenses and a clear skirt provides a wider field of view, and reduced fogging potential, which is especially beneficial for warm, tropical waters. It also comes with a wet snorkel, which does require some getting used to, but helps with hydrodynamics as it has a more streamlined design. 

Advanced: 

• Dual Lens Tidal Mask Black / White Skirt & Tidal Wet Snorkel Set: This bundle includes an opaque dual lens mask, in either black or white, with Tidal’s Roll-Up Wet snorkel that can fit right in the pocket of a BCD. It rolls up for easy traveling and storage,

• Single Lens Tidal Mask Clear Skirt & Tidal Wet Snorkel Set: For advanced snorkelers, a single lens, clear skirt snorkel mask is a great option. It improves underwater vision clarity, especially in the choppy or murky waters that you may find yourself in. It also is lower volume, so it can be appropriate for snorkelers who like to dive down to get a closer look at marine life or reefs. It comes with a wet snorkel as well, which offers less drag and more maneuverability. 

Choosing the right gear is essential for a safe and enjoyable underwater experience. To find your perfect scuba mask and snorkel set, take our Gear Guide Quiz. This interactive tool will help narrow down the options based on your preferences and requirements. You can find the Gear Guide Quiz at the bottom of the page of our Tidal Sports Bundles. Get ready to dive in with the best scuba mask and snorkel set for your next underwater adventure.