USVI-On-Line

Will be traveling to St. John in June. I want have my own snorkel masks. What brand is the best to buy?

Fit is more important than brand IMHO. I suggest you go to a dive shop or sporting goods store and find a mask that fits you. I personally like the mask with a purge feature in it so it's easy to clear the water out. I'm not sure what brand I own but I know I've had it for about 15 years and it's still going strong. It might be a TUSA?? I'm not sure and it's already packed in my bag. I also love my dry snorkle tube. I'd never get anything but a dry snorkle.

I went to a dive shop recently and bought a mask. They had about 16 different kinds. They told me to try them all on and find one that fits my face.

I found one that sticks to my face perfectly. It barely needs the strap. Of course it was one of the more expensive ones. I bought it anyways because I say I'm going to take a scuba course someday. I figured it's incentive to take the course since I have a nice mask now.

I'm going to buy a dry snorkel soon. My trip isn't until June, I'll probably buy the snorkel online.

As a newbie I need to ask, what's a dry snorkel?

A 'dry' snorkle has a valve in the top that prevents water from going down it so you don't end up with a mouth full of water if you snorkel in rough water or put your head too far to the side and a wave washs into your tube. They are a little move than a regular tube but really worth it. My hubby laughed at me when I got mine but he loves his (that I got hime for Christmas a couple of years ago). I couldn't believe the difference it makes.

My last mask broke during our August vacation to St. John and I went to Cruz Bay Watersports and purchased a new one in about 15 minutes. They were very nice and helpful and encouraged fit the most because they said everyone has a different favorite. There prices were very reasonable I thought.

Nicolle

I would recommend going to a local dive shop and trying them on, or going to one of the shops on STJ and buying one first thing on island.

We have three dive shops in my local area and they all have different brands and styles. When I purchased new sets, we all went and tried everything on. This is the best idea because they really all fit and felt differently. Some similar but one eventually stood out from all the rest.

A good mask should suction to your face like a vaccume and be made with a high grade seal so that you'd hardly need the strap at all.

I LOVE my mask. It's a Halcyon.

I found most of them in the $50-100 range.

We actually find prices on STJ to be slightly lower than in the DC area for the scuba quality mask. For the youngest we go with Costco bargain gear and that works just OK. She'll be moving up to the good mask next trip.

Cheers, RickG

If you can not find it at Costco you do not need it is my motto

It's certainly woth it to get one at a dive shop instead of places like Dick's Sporting Goods. Cheap is not the way to go if you want one that fits good and doesn't allow water in after using it a few times. Maybe some have had some success with the cheap kind, but not my family.