Planning a tropical trip that includes snorkeling excursions may be a lot of fun, but it can become more difficult for individuals with eye difficulties. You are not alone if you are interested in snorkeling with glasses is possible.
Many individuals have pondered how wearing glasses while snorkeling will impair their view of fish, coral reefs, and other intriguing marine life. If you wear glasses, jumping in for a brief snorkel might be a bit more difficult.
Is it Feasible to Snorkel While Wearing Glasses?
Anyone who has tried snorkeling while wearing glasses will tell you that it does not go well. If you attempt it, you’ll encounter a variety of drawbacks, ranging from leaking masks to fuzzy eyesight.
Snorkeling masks and swimming goggles do not work nicely over glasses, and even a full-face snorkel mask is too small to adjust eyeglasses. While it may appear to be alright on land, once in the water, the earpieces conflict with the stamp on the snorkeling mask, forcing it to drip.
Furthermore, glasses are made to rest a specific distance away from your eyes. When worn behind a snorkeling mask, the lenses may be pushed closer or farther away than intended.
Variations to Snorkeling with Glasses
➖ Magnification by Natural Means
Water amplifies objects under the water’s surface. When you wear a flat mask, snorkeling mask, or swimming goggles, underwater things look closer and larger than they are.
If you have slight sight difficulties or sport prescription glasses, you’ll probably be alright ditching the glasses at home and diving in with your snorkeling equipment.
➖ Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are a fantastic, low-cost alternative to spectacles. If water spills into your mask or if you require to take your mask underwater for any explanation, simply keep your eyes closed.
This can assist you in avoiding misplacing your lenses. After snorkeling, thoroughly rinse your eyes with clean water and sterilize your contact lenses to minimize irritation and lower your chance of having an eye infection.
➖ Prescription Snorkel Masks
A prescription mask is an excellent choice if you are uneasy using contact lenses. These are pre-made or custom-made snorkeling and scuba diving masks with prescription lenses.
One of the most costly alternatives to glasses is prescription snorkel masks. Pre-made masks are somewhat less expensive and ideal for those with the same prescription in both eyes.
If you have astigmatism a custom-made mask from a dive store or an optician that specialized in prescription diving masks is probable.
➖ Prescription Lenses
Numerous of the main diving equipment businesses provide scuba masks with detachable plastic or tempered glass lenses.
And because these pop-in lenses can be readily replaced, they are a good choice for anybody who expects their prescription to change over time.
If your needs change, you’ll save money by simply having to buy new lenses rather than the entire prescription mask.
➖ Stick-on Magnifier
A stick-on magnifier lens is a less expensive option than a prescription snorkel mask for farsighted persons who just wear reading glasses.
These simple stick-on lenses, which are common among underwater photographers and scuba divers, can convert any mask into bifocals.
While snorkeling, the lenses will allow you to see camera settings and displays clearly without obscuring your view of the underwater environment.
Scuba Diving Mask Types
???? The Single Lens Mask
Modern masks feature silicon skirts to assist them to fit better, as well as a low-profile design that brings the pane closer to the face and provides a larger field of vision.
This style of mask cannot be equipped as a prescription scuba mask since the pane is all one piece.
???? The Double Pane Mask
This is most likely the most prevalent form of a mask. This scuba diving mask features a low profile and a larger field of view than a single pane mask.
And because of the low profile, it is also simpler to equalize at depth and decrease mask squeeze.
If you wear glasses, a two-pane mask may be furnished as a prescription dive mask. Some divers complain about the mask resting between their eyes, but most see through it and don’t even notice it after a while.
???? The Full-Face Mask
Although there are types designed for recreational usage, commercial divers generally utilize these masks.
One advantage of this type of mask is that it may be supplied with underwater communication, allowing you to communicate with your dive partner or a surface crew.
Some divers believe that because these masks are so pleasant to wear, you may find yourself taking in more air than usual.
What to Bring on Your Snorkeling Trip
✔️ Mask
It is vital to take the time to choose a mask that fits your face properly. The mask should stay in place if you suction it to your face without using the strap. Any air leakage indicates that it is not a good fit.
✔️ Snorkel
The mouthpiece is an important consideration when selecting the correct snorkel—it should be comfortable.
A “purge valve” is a useful feature found on many snorkels that allows water to exit but not enter. You should also select a snorkel that is near to your head to avoid drag.
✔️ Swim Cap
A swim hat or bandana will not only keep your hair out of your snorkel, but it will also keep your scalp from burning on a hot day.
Doctors’ surgical hats are an appropriate sort of bandana since the ties keep them from falling off. Purchase one for a low cost from a medical supply store.
✔️ Float Vest
Renting or purchasing a float vest is a fantastic method for inexperienced swimmers to stay buoyant and ease anxiety.
Wetsuit
Wetsuits, in addition to keeping you warm in cooler water, also assist avoid sunburns, give protection from stinging particles in the ocean, and provide buoyancy.
Shorty wetsuits—those with short sleeves and leggings that finish just above the knee—are ideal for water that’s a bit cooler than you can safely swim in, plus they’re easier to put on and take up less space in your bag.
✔️ Rash Guard
When the water is too warm for a wetsuit, a rash guard will give the same sun and ocean stinging parts protection.
✔️ Sunscreen
Select a reef-safe sunscreen that biodegrades in water. That way, you won’t endanger the reefs you’ve come to view.
✔️ Fins
Shorter fins are frequently preferred for snorkeling because they allow for simpler direction changes and are lighter, making it easier to kick.
If you want to practice free diving, get longer fins that will allow you to swim deeper and quicker.
✔️ Neoprene Socks
Even well-fitting fins can produce blisters on your feet, particularly on the backs of your ankles. Neoprene socks are comfortable and can help keep your feet warm.
Things to Avoid While Snorkeling
It’s reasonable that almost everyone is eager to seek adventure and explore the watery environment.
There’s a completely new world to discover, from breathtaking underwater scenery to a visible feast of colors and animals. That is why you should be aware of what not to do when snorkeling.
❌ Don’t Utilize Low-Cost Equipment
Snorkeling should be an unforgettable experience. A fogged-up, leaky mask, an inconvenient snorkel, and blister-causing fins will destroy any possible recollections.
A leaky mask, in particular, will prevent you from experiencing the visual effect and would most likely irritate you. Before you head out, make sure your gear fits properly and functions properly.
❌ Don’t go Snorkeling Alone
Some sports are OK to do alone, but snorkeling, especially if you are a novice, should not be done alone. Gather a group of friends or snorkel in an area where other people will be present.
Lifeguards may also be present. This is especially true for beginners, but more experienced snorkelers will snorkel alongside companions in case anything unexpected happens.
❌ Don’t Undervalue Water Temperature
Water temperature creeps after air temperature and has lesser degrees lower than expected.
As a result, you may become colder than planned, so be equipped with dry clothing away from the water and a rash guard to keep your body temperature stable.
❌ Don’t Meddle with Marine Life
Snorkel as a spectator, not as an influencer, of the undersea environment. A lot of the time, aquatic life is a vulnerable ecology, and intervening doesn’t help.
And because some things are frequently protected by law, it is safer to assume that you should simply observe.
❌ Don’t Snorkel if you’re Uncomfortable
Snorkeling presents enough difficulties on its own without adding to them. Check that the mask fits your face comfortably and that the fins are the right size for your feet.
Finning for a period with ill-fitting fins results in blisters fit for a king. Leaking masks combined with wincing pain are unlikely to give the desired feeling.
❌ Don’t Harm the Fins
Snorkeling in shallow water might provide some challenges. One of the most vital rules of snorkeling is to not tamper with or touch anything.
The problem arises when people move about while wearing fins. They are huge and appear to be uncontrollable at times. When snorkeling on the surface, such fins might collide with and shatter corals.
Careless use of your fins, as well as strolling on the corals in snorkeling booties, can do significant harm. Always watch what’s going on with your fins.
❌ Don’t be in a Hurry
Gentle down, breathe deeply, and waft with slow kicks, rather than splashing around as though in anguish. Slow snorkeling ensures that no coral damage occurs and that you remain relaxed.
Fish will not be afraid and will not flee if you move slowly and deliberately. Patience is a virtue when snorkeling across the world.
❌ Don’t Touch Anything
This is maybe the most important practice. Don’t wander about attempting to touch objects in the sea. You should strive not to touch anything, from wildlife to corals.
Aside from the fact that certain marine species might be harmful, you can disrupt entire ecosystems. It comes down to being aware of your environment.
❌ Don’t Feed the Fish
This appears to be a delightful hobby, especially when you share their surroundings, but it is not something you should participate in. It disrupts the local ecology.
❌ Don’t Snorkel on an Empty Stomach
Snorkeling is physically demanding, and as such, it is best done after a good meal.
Pushing, moving, and swimming through water, which is more difficult to move through than air, needs a reservoir of energy. It’s not a good idea to become weak while swimming in the ocean.
❌ Don’t Dehydrate
It’s comparable, if not more so, to water. Snorkeling will cause you to sweat, especially under the hot heat, but the water surrounding you will mask the impact.
Constant snorkeling will cause dehydration if left unchecked, and you will be unaware. Make regular excursions to the beach to refresh your water supply and remain hydrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you wear glasses while wearing a full-face snorkel?
A: A full-face snorkel mask is too small to fit eyeglasses.
Q: Can you dive while wearing glasses?
A: You can’t even wear your prescription glasses while diving since the masks won’t seal onto your face.
Q: Do you need glasses when underwater?
A: So because the index of refraction of water differs from that of air, eyeglasses do not operate in water.
Q: Can you snorkel if you don’t know how to swim?
A: Snorkeling does not require any swimming ability, yet feeling at ease in the water may make the experience much more peaceful and pleasurable.
Q: Can you scuba dive using contact lenses?
A: Yes, you can dive while wearing contacts.
Final Thoughts
While snorkeling with glasses offers some obstacles, there are a variety of solutions available to enable spectacled snorkelers to enjoy all of the benefits of this underwater pastime. The optimum choice for you will be determined by your eyesight, finances, and the amount of time you want to spend snorkeling and diving.