Snorkeling masks with vision correction

[minniel]

My DH has a vision problem and I would like to know if they rent snorkel masks at Castaway Cay with vision correction ?

 

[WDWLVR]

Not to my knowledge. That's why I got my own mask from my eye doctor. Made a world of difference.

 

[Towncrier]

I got disposable contact lenses before our first cruise so that I could use regular snorkel masks. It was a lot less expensive than a prescription mask.

 

[WDWLVR]

Originally posted by Towncrier
I got disposable contact lenses before our first cruise so that I could use regular snorkel masks. It was a lot less expensive than a prescription mask.

Very true TC, but I can't wear contacts. Actually the mask wasn't as expensive as I thought it woudl be.

 

[prymsu]

I ordered mine through a friend who used to own a scuba shop. He sent them off to some company, and it was only about 60 bucks total, and well worth the price because we snorkel quite a bit, and it sure was worth it to me. i can't see more than a few few without my specs. Check around, cause i think you can get this done for less then through an eye doctor.

 

[momsgoofy]

I am having the same problem. The last time I snorkeled my vision was much better, but I want to do this so badly when we are on the cruise!!

I've checked online about some prescription masks and for mine it would run about 80 bucks...not too cost effective considering I'm dry locked in Illinois and don't get to snorkel often. I read on another post here about come "generic" corrective masks and goggles at the Sports Authority. The masks/goggles are set at 3 different levels depending on your prescription. I have a -3.25 and a -2.75 so I should get the middle class. We do not have one of the stores in our area, but found one about 2 hours away that I plan to check there before I order online.

My other option is that I do wear contacts and I could take some extra pairs of my disposable lenses, but I'm not sure how the salt water will feel with the contacts. I'd hate to be all red eyed for the rest of the day. This would be the cheapest route, I agree, as I already have my own fins, mask and snorkel.

Any comments from those who have swam in salt water while wearing contacts?

Laura ºoº

 

[gallaj0]

I've snorkeled with contacts, and scuba dove with contacts, down as far as 70 feet or so. I got a little water in my mask on the deep dives, but it usually leaks in a little around my beard/moustache. It really isn't a problem since you are usually face down anyways, so the water just lays on the glass, or pools around the bottom if you look forward. You really have to flood you mask or splash it around to even get it in your eyes, and if you do, it shouldn't bother you all that much. I've had contacts for years, so getting stuff in my eyes doesn't bother me as much as most people.
If you have sensitive eyes to begin with, , it may bother you, but you're more likely to get red eyes from the water and sand at the beach than through a properly fitted mask.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

This may be the thread I can get this question answered in--we have Capt. Marvin's stingray excursion scheduled. DS (will be 6) wears bifocals for amblyopia. He has too much growing left to do to spend $60 for a mask (or more if we did the bifocal--he has glasses for soccer without the close up vision so he can see the ball). Can little ones wear glasses with the mask?
Robin M.

 

[Tigfanjeff]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin
This may be the thread I can get this question answered in--we have Capt. Marvin's stingray excursion scheduled. DS (will be 6) wears bifocals for amblyopia. He has too much growing left to do to spend $60 for a mask (or more if we did the bifocal--he has glasses for soccer without the close up vision so he can see the ball). Can little ones wear glasses with the mask?
Robin M.

Not unless they are the pinch nose type of glasses. If they go back over the ear (like 99.9999% of glasses), the mask will not seal to the face and will be pointless.

 

[prymsu]

I don't think it wise to have your son wear his glasses with his mask. I wear bifocals, however my mask prescription doesn't have them because you don't need them for snorkeling.

If he had an old pair that you didn't care about that might work, or better yet, maybe if you really don't care about the old pair you could remove them from the frame and glue them down on the mask.

just some thoughts...

 

[il-gander]

I found this site, which seems pretty cheap (maybe in quality too, who knows). Hope that helps somebody, I haven't decided if I'm going to buy any as I don't think we'll really be snorkeling anywhere, but I'm blind as a bat without my glasses.

http://www.divingezone.com/.sc/ms/cat/1032987946/9/nc/Mask--Prescription Mask

 

[momsgoofy]

il-gander wrote....
"I found this site, which seems pretty cheap (maybe in quality too, who knows). Hope that helps somebody, I haven't decided if I'm going to buy any as I don't think we'll really be snorkeling anywhere, but I'm blind as a bat without my glasses.

http://www.divingezone.com/.sc/ms/c...cription Mask "

I just checked the site and for the closest to my prescription I'm still looking at $89.95 for the cheapest mask listed. Still doesn't seem like a deal to me, the once in while snorkeler. I think I'll go with the good old disposable contacts. If I snorkeled often I'd do it, but that's 90 bucks I can spend on the spa instead.

Laura ºoº

 

[DenverVal]

Both my DDs, 8 and 11 were too busy being freaked out by the stingrays to take time to snorkel. One jumped back on the boat and stayed there and the other had both arms and legs around me. Rock'n Robin, if your DS is like my DDs, then the mask is totally unnecessary. The water is crystal clear and the stingrays are perfectly visible. Glasses with a strap on the back (and maybe a floatie thing) without a mask would be fine.

Last week I saw a shop in Cozumel in the mall by the pier that sells vision-corrected masks for $80, the kind with mild, moderate and strong correction. My DD said that the middle one was perfect for her, but we decided not to get them, so I don't know if we could have talked the price down any.

It occurred to me as I was leaving the ship on the last day that I had brought their swim goggles with them, and they could have used them in lieu of a mask, since all they wanted to do was look at the fish, and they never really got the hang of using the snorkel. Oh well. Next time!

 

[juniorbugman]

If you are going byway of WDW and Orlando there is a dive supply store on International drive that sells masks and extra diopter lenses to replace glasses. :happy2:

Link: http://www.diversdirect.com/stores/orl.php