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A scuba diving mask (not swimming goggles) is an essential piece of equipment for any diver. Masks are usually sold as being one size fits all faces. All masks differ in size depending on brand and style within the brand and thus some will achieve a better fit on your face than others. The main variable in this sizing is your head size and face shape. As this is so individual to every person we cannot offer any guaranteed sizing advise. However, in the mask descriptions we have tried to indicate if each mask is more suited to petite, small, medium or large faces. But there are no easy rules to follow. Sometimes a mask that seems more suited to a small face works well on a big face. Generally, the more expensive masks have better quality mask skirts and better quality skirts seal on a wider range of face sizes.

The best thing to do is try the mask on your face and check how well it seals. For details about How to Quickly Check a Scuba Mask for Fit please read our Buyers Guide: Buying a Great Dive Mask.

Prescription/Corrective Lens Diving Masks: Eager to try scuba diving, but feel worried about the practicality of it because of your eyesight? If you wear glasses and need some assistance seeing clearly when diving or snorkelling, The Scuba Doctor is Australia's largest supplier of Prescription Lens Masks.

Technical Tip

Why Black Skirt Diving and Snorkelling Masks Are Better

Clear skirts on diving and snorkelling masks are popular because they minimise the claustrophobic feeling some people get when they wear a mask. Nevertheless, clear skirts actually interfere with vision. Extraneous light entering through the clear skirt makes it more difficult for the eye to focus and causes reflections that obscure vision. Demonstrate this by looking out a window from a lighted room at twilight. You will see better by cupping your hands around your eyes as you press your face to the window. For these reasons, knowledgeable divers and snorkellers seeking the best possible vision prefer masks with black skirts.

Note: Diving/snorkelling masks are very different to Swimming Goggles. See Goggles vs Masks.