What's the Difference Between a Dive Mask and a Snorkel Mask? A Comparison

by Mihai Pinzariu on September 24, 2019

Keen to go for an underwater adventure but not quite sure if you should go for a snorkel mask or a dive mask? You’re not alone! We’ve seen a lot of curious snorkellers online asking about the difference between the two masks, and for good reason. Both masks are designed to give you crystal clear vision of sea and marine life, and both feature advanced technology that allows you to make the most of underwater life. But they’re also two very different things.

In this article we’ll go through a comparison of snorkel masks and dive masks, looking at the features that they have in common as well as what’s different between the two. If you’re not sure if you should be buying a snorkel mask or a dive mask, you’ll know for sure by the end of this article!

1. Design

Let’s start with the obvious. It might not be entirely clear when you’re looking at the two side by side, but the designs of snorkel masks and scuba masks differ greatly. Firstly, let’s reiterate the fact that snorkelling and scuba diving are two entirely different things.

When snorkelling, it’s typically just your face that’s underwater and your body can be floating above the surface. With scuba diving, though, your body is always going to be completely submerged underwater. Being completely submerged underwater while scuba diving means that diving masks are designed to be less buoyant.

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