Diving Mask and Snorkel Recommendations

[Cyrus_Omerta]

Recently got bitten by the snorkel/freediving bug and pretty happy with my Reef gear and some Cressi flippers. False Bays been loads of fun so far. I'll be looking into Certification courses soon (that's another can of works.

Was looking to replace my Very basi, uncomfortable (read Toy) snorkel and mask I got from a friend. Instead of spending a couple grand on Cressi (the Cressi Nano/ Calibro mask looks amazing), I was looking to Reef Again, to get a simple snorkel and a good beginner to intermediate dive mask and spend less than a grand, and then maybe a 2 years down the line, do an upgrade along with my suit. (let me know if this thinking sounds sound, or is a mask a for life piece of equipment)

(See Reefs Selection Here)

I don't know much about reefs masks and information about them isn't as easily found as the tonnes of Cressi reviews online.

Ideally id like something durable, that equalises easily and enables me to see as much as possible underwater.

Any Reef mask recommendations?

I was also looking for some gloves as I got a minor jellyfish sting the last time I went to Simonstown. I've seen the reef ones for R500, but not sure if they are touch screen friendly. Any Suggestions here would be great too!

Thanks a million everyone.

 

[Barbarian Conan]

It's been a while, but I just tried a couple of the cheaper masks in the scuba shop.
They should all have silicon edges and not plastic.
If you put it on your face without putting the strap over your head, and lightly inhale through your nose, it should stay put, indicating an airtight seal.

I think a lot depends on the shape of your face, and what works for one won't necessarily work for another.

 

[NoJ]

It's been a while, but I just tried a couple of the cheaper masks in the scuba shop.
They should all have silicon edges and not plastic.
If you put it on your face without putting the strap over your head, and lightly inhale through your nose, it should stay put, indicating an airtight seal.

I think a lot depends on the shape of your face, and what works for one won't necessarily work for another.

This, skirt must be silicon and lenses must be glass. I would go into a shop and try the masks on for a good fit, you can buy the most expensive mask in the world but if it doesn't fit properly and leaks it may as well be a toy one.

If you look after your gear it could easily last for a decade or more (still using the same mask and fins I bought in 2007) so its probably worth spending a bit more upfront rather than replacing in a couple years time. Those reef masks look decent and I wouldn't be surprised if they were made in the same factory as Cressi, most brands come out of the same couple of factories. They even look VERY similar to Cressi masks.

 

[Jonny_9]

I have been diving (scuba and free) for many many years and I use the mask that fitted (in the way @Barbarian Conan described) and it just happened to be about the cheapest mask in the shop- about R80 in 2005 and it still works a treat. Fit more important than cost for masks. But if the expensive mask fits you best then that's your bad luck

 

[Cyrus_Omerta]

Thanks for the help everyone! Will be trying some on today!

 

[v00d00man]

I've had a Ohmer mask for many years and can recommend. Search for low volume diving mask and you will see why they are preferred for free diving.

 

[v00d00man]

I've had a Ohmer mask for many years and can recommend. Search for low volume diving mask and you will see why they are preferred for free diving.

Omer.

 

[Thugscub]

Try and avoid masks with finicky little adjustment buckles on the side.
Try find a low volume silicon mask with pull to tighten strap.
Those finicky adjustment buckles always break in the middle of bloody nowhere.
Try get a pair of old navy fins. Short, broad and tough as nails. Don't know if they are still made.

 

[Bees ZA]

Can highly recommend the scubapro nova fins. Those things are amazing. I also use the scubapro crystal vu mask. I like that it is a single lens and has side windows. That being said, these things are quite expensive.

 

[Hare]

Here is what I would get:

Low volume mask: Reef Inferno/ Reef R1/ Technisub also have affordable spearfishing masks that work lekker.
I will personally keep away from clear masks, too much light is let in and I tend to get blinded ascending.

3mm reef gloves, coat the palms and inside- fingers with patch cement to increase the life span (don't glue the fingers together, than can happen).

Get a snorkel with a valve release, single valve preferable.

That's it
Enjoy



Ps. Lasts bit of advice

Don't dive alone

Don't be a ****, keep away from the crays and perlies.

 

[RedViking]

I am also looking for a nice diving set. My wife regularly tells me

"gaan spring in die see man"

 

[RonSwanson]

Can highly recommend the scubapro nova fins. Those things are amazing. I also use the scubapro crystal vu mask. I like that it is a single lens and has side windows. That being said, these things are quite expensive.

ScubaPro FTW

 

[RonSwanson]

Can highly recommend the scubapro nova fins. Those things are amazing. I also use the scubapro crystal vu mask. I like that it is a single lens and has side windows. That being said, these things are quite expensive.

Are you with Ocean Divers or ProDive?

 

[Bees ZA]

Are you with Ocean Divers or ProDive?

Mostly with ProDive. Did all my courses there. African waters when we were in JBay which was most holidays and some weekends. It has been quite a while since I have gone diving tho. Going to need a refresher

 

[RonSwanson]

Mostly with ProDive. Did all my courses there. African waters when we were in JBay which was most holidays and some weekends. It has been quite a while since I have gone diving tho. Going to need a refresher

So did I, PE's waters are great for diving as long as you don't mind the cold, and Louis runs an excellent business. I also need a refresher

 

[cguy]

You don’t need a mask.

Water is a hoax!

#livefree!

 

[joker08]

any suggestions for good diving schools in cape town ?

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Im a huge fan of my Reef mask, I tried a few until @Voicy recommended it.
Scubapro fins are the stuff, you wont regret them.

 

[Voicy]

I'm a huge Scubapro fan, 99% of all my gear is Scubapro.

That said, THE most comfortable masks I've owned have been Reef. My more expensive scubapro mask is kept as a backup, where I keep my Reef as my main. Go into a shop and just try one that fits your face best. As mentioned above, strapless you should be able to keep it on your face by inhaling.

As for Scubapro Novas ... I've owned mine for close to 9 years now and love them for scuba diving but I CANNOT in good conscience recommend them to anyone. They're not powerful, they're not cheap, they have a design flaw and they don't fit in a standard fin bag ... but I still love them. On paper they have no redeeming quality vs other brands. The only thing they excel at is reverse kicking and stablizing me while doing macro photography.

You can't go wrong with good ol' salt of the earth Cressi paddle fins. Anything else is just fancy. However, my next purchase will probably be spearo fins.

Lastly, ProDive in PE is a good company. I've used them a few times to book my international liveaboard trips and the owner Louis goes on a lot of these trips himself to check out if its really worth it for his customers. I've met a few (2 or 3, I forget) people around the world at different dive shops who know him personally. Small world.