Snorkeling for those with glasses

[Keyser]

I'm curious about experiences snorkeling for those who wear glasses. Our upcoming cruise has several opportunities (in basically every port) for snorkeling. Our daughters, though, have inherited their parents' poor vision, and both wear (and need) glasses. I'm curious if others who wear glasses have gone snorkeling, and if so, how the experience was? Was there anything you were able to do to be able to have a worthwhile experience?

My wife and I have been snorkeling a couple of times, but we wear contacts, so it's always been fine. For the girls, though, I would think they'd have such poor vision that snorkeling excursions might not make sense. I assume that the excursion operators don't stock prescription masks (do these even exist?), though. Is there some option I'm not thinking of?

 

[dcassetta]

I'm curious about experiences snorkeling for those who wear glasses. Our upcoming cruise has several opportunities (in basically every port) for snorkeling. Our daughters, though, have inherited their parents' poor vision, and both wear (and need) glasses. I'm curious if others who wear glasses have gone snorkeling, and if so, how the experience was? Was there anything you were able to do to be able to have a worthwhile experience?

My wife and I have been snorkeling a couple of times, but we wear contacts, so it's always been fine. For the girls, though, I would think they'd have such poor vision that snorkeling excursions might not make sense. I assume that the excursion operators don't stock prescription masks (do these even exist?), though. Is there some option I'm not thinking of?

I have worn glasses almost all my life and enjoy snorkeling very much with a standard mask. I have never felt the need to purchase a prescription mask. Because the standard lens already has a degree of magnification, I find I am able to see what I want just fine.

 

[BeckyPhD]

I bought a pair of frame inserts for my full face snorkel mask. It was so much better than the typical blurry snorkel experience i had gotten used to. There are also lots of places that will do prescription masks for surprisingly cheap. Mine are made my Ocean Reef and they fit inside my mask. Got them from amazon and took them to my local eyeglasses place with my prescription.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Just my opinion as a life-long glasses wearer (and father of two boys in the same boat), you just accept that everything will be blurry. It is still a lot of fun, even if everything isn't clear. Plus for a lot of eye-sights, being underwater improves things somewhat, so just looking through the regular masks they may see better than normal. My boys and I love swimming, snorkeling, going to the beach, pools, etc. and we just know that it means blurry vision while we are swimming. So what? We still have a blast!

Plus, if you bring a waterproof camera, they can see the pictures afterwards to fill in their memories of exactly what fish (and other treasures) they "saw."

Prescription masks do exist, as do cheap generic prescription glasses (so they could wear them under their masks and not fret if they weren't perfect or got lost), but I'd say don't bother. They'll likely enjoy the experience no matter what.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Glasses wearer and snorkeler here. They will be fine. For the number of times I snorkel, I wasn't going to invest in a prescription mask. Now, as an avid lap swimmer, I have prescription googles. Guess I need to see that black line at the bottom of the pool really sharp- lol. Anyway, they are a cheaper alternative to use for looking underwater without the snorkel or maybe with, I have never tried. Speedo has them for around $15.00

 

[eeyoreandtink]

How old are your girls? Would you consider allowing them to use disposable contacts just for snorkeling, or are they too young? I am -5.00 in both eyes and snorkeling is NOT fun at that prescription without something.

 

[FSU Girl]

I think it depends how bad of eye sight. DH wears glasses, but his vision isn't too bad so he just snorkels with the mask and things are slightly blurry. I wear contacts, but I have horrible vision. If I went without anything I wouldn't be able to make out a single thing in the water and it would not be a fun experience. We've talked about getting a prescription snorkel for DH if we keep going so often.

 

[truck1]

I think it depends how bad of eye sight. DH wears glasses, but his vision isn't too bad so he just snorkels with the mask and things are slightly blurry. I wear contacts, but I have horrible vision. If I went without anything I wouldn't be able to make out a single thing in the water and it would not be a fun experience. We've talked about getting a prescription snorkel for DH if we keep going so often.

What she said. I wear contacts so it doesn't bother me, as a diver. With out them Im considered legally blind.

With that said, they do make a mask that you can put in prescription lenses and some dive shops can do it while you wait. Its about $100 per mask. All you need to know is the prescription.

 

[Capt_BJ]

https://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/prescription-snorkel-mask.html

https://www.amazon.com/Tilos-Universal-Corrective-Prescription-Snorkeling/dp/B07BFJR1J6

You don't mention where you live but if at all possible find and visit a dive shop ... they will be able to help you out. There is a risk buying a dive mask via the net as they come in a million shapes and sizes and some fit your face while others may not. I recommend trying on first .... but most web sources do have liberal return policies.

most divers direct locations (one in Orlando) have a mask 'kit' that can be assembled in the store. They sell a mask frame and then have a LARGE assortment of lens in 'standard' prescription strengths ... the pieces just snap together. dd has been using one of these for years ....

https://www.diversdirect.com/scuba-...k/prescription-snorkel-mask?manufacturer=1857

 

[GPaLarry]

AGWWLTS...Another glasses wearer who loves to snorkel. I bring mine (non-prescription) from home to CC or any beach. I wear trifocals, but the mask seems to correct for some of my semi-blindness. As mentioned earlier, take a waterproof camera to take Mickey & Minnie's pictures underwater...very cool. If you have a pool nearby you might try out the equipment on your kids before you go. A dive shop is a good idea. Cruise on...

 

[Lewisc]

You didn't list your daughters script. Mild works fine. Moderate, not sure about DCL, but prescription masks with moderate correction are generally available. Strong, either buy masks before you go or get contacts. Daily disposable works well.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I have terrible eyesight so I own a prescription mask. Depends how bad their vision is.

 

[GPaLarry]

Just thought of something else...when at CC, the sunken objects are identified with a floating balloon-type buoy. They may look close, but they are not, it is a hike (long swim) to get to that area. Also, the water is well over your head. Be sure you all wear the free inflatable life vests. I blow mine up about half way so that I can rest a bit on the way out and back...getting too old for this stuff, but I love it. Get one at any lifeguard station.

 

[PurplePencil]

I assume that the excursion operators don't stock prescription masks (do these even exist?), though.

They do exist. Depending on the ages of your daughters, it may make sense to see if any local eye doctor does prescription googles or swim masks, to make swimming easier.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I don't wear glasses myself but dw, ds and dd all do and the only 'excursion' type place that I've noticed with a decent selection of persc' masks was Discovery Cove

Are prescription masks available at Discovery Cove?
Discovery Cove offers special prescription masks in various strengths on a first come, first serve basis.


and this includes dw and I being divers since the 80's with dd joining in for the last 10 years

most excursions are providing the least expensive masks out there IME .....

 

[Steph1992]

How old are your girls? Would you consider allowing them to use disposable contacts just for snorkeling, or are they too young? I am -5.00 in both eyes and snorkeling is NOT fun at that prescription without something.

This is my experience as well. I have a similar prescription as above and always wear glasses, never contacts. When I know we're going on a cruise I will get some disposable contacts so I can still see when snorkeling and other water activities. For me, it's impossible to see anything when snorkeling (or doing anything else) if I don't have any assistance from contacts or glasses.

Also thanks to everyone else for the suggestion of a prescription mask! I didn't even know about those!

 

[Snowwhyt]

I'm curious about experiences snorkeling for those who wear glasses. Our upcoming cruise has several opportunities (in basically every port) for snorkeling. Our daughters, though, have inherited their parents' poor vision, and both wear (and need) glasses. I'm curious if others who wear glasses have gone snorkeling, and if so, how the experience was? Was there anything you were able to do to be able to have a worthwhile experience?

My wife and I have been snorkeling a couple of times, but we wear contacts, so it's always been fine. For the girls, though, I would think they'd have such poor vision that snorkeling excursions might not make sense. I assume that the excursion operators don't stock prescription masks (do these even exist?), though. Is there some option I'm not thinking of?

I had my daughter test out disposable contacts the summer after fourth grade for our Thanksgiving cruise. I’m very glad I did as I did not waste money on something she could not see and to made it something that she could enjoy and getting prescription goggles did seem like a possibly sketchy option but yet way too expensive. He didn’t know if you were going to get quality or not plus, at the time, I was getting $425 quotes and people mentioning that they weren’t having great results. I’m not gonna lie, my daughter looked really good without glasses for the professional pictures I had taken by Disney. Make an appointment to have contact lens eye exam. Pick a few special nights for them to wear them. We would have a man for two hours at the house, maybe four hours when we went out someplace special. By the fourth time she was telling me she didn’t feel them in her eyes any longer and she thought she could wear them longer and I agreed. She let me know when they started bothering her so she would take them out.
Let it be their choice since they would have to be strong enough of a will to put in and take out their own contacts. Let them know it won’t be easy and that there will be problems but eventually get it gets better as time goes on. Explain a few things that unfortunate things that happened during your time with contacts. Showing that you’re fine now but it seems stressful at the time.

 

[Starwind]

I'm curious about experiences snorkeling for those who wear glasses. Our upcoming cruise has several opportunities (in basically every port) for snorkeling. Our daughters, though, have inherited their parents' poor vision, and both wear (and need) glasses. I'm curious if others who wear glasses have gone snorkeling, and if so, how the experience was? Was there anything you were able to do to be able to have a worthwhile experience?

My wife and I have been snorkeling a couple of times, but we wear contacts, so it's always been fine. For the girls, though, I would think they'd have such poor vision that snorkeling excursions might not make sense. I assume that the excursion operators don't stock prescription masks (do these even exist?), though. Is there some option I'm not thinking of?

I am farisghted so do fine with normal snorkel gear.

My sister is quite nearsighted and things are blurry with a normal mask. She went to a local dive shop and got a mask with prescription lenses. The lenses can be changed out should her Rx change enough to make it worthwhile. Not cheap, but she loves the mask and can see with it !

I have an Ocean Reef Aria full face mask and they do sell an optional insert which is a frame for Rx lenses, that you would then take to your local optometrist.eyeglass place to get Rx lenses for, and then the frame just slides in and out of the mask [so the mask itself isn't altered, there is this add-in].

SW

 

[mousefan73]

It really depends on their prescription strength. My son wears glasses to school so he can read the board but is totally fine doing sport activities without them. Me on the other hand I’m a -9 so I wouldn’t even find the beach without my glasses or contacts.

 

[starvenger]

Me on the other hand I’m a -9 so I wouldn’t even find the beach without my glasses or contacts.

Guess many of us on the board could form a “can’t see a doggone thing without my glasses/contacts” club...