Can You Snorkel With a Prescription? A Guide to Prescription Masks on the Ningaloo Reef
- Cindy Small
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you may have wondered whether your eyesight will be a problem when snorkelling on the Ningaloo Reef.
It's a question we hear regularly at Ocean Eco Adventures, particularly from guests preparing for a Whale Shark or Coral Bay Exclusive tour.
The good news is that having a prescription doesn't mean you have to miss out on snorkelling or swimming with Whale Sharks.
We have a selection of interchangeable prescription lenses available onboard, and our crew will do their best to find the closest option for your eyesight and help you get comfortably fitted before entering the water.
Can You Snorkel If You Wear Glasses?
Unfortunately, you can't wear your regular glasses underneath a standard snorkel mask.
The good news is that you don't need to.
A snorkel mask creates an air space between your eyes and the water, which already changes the way you see underwater. This natural effect also provides some magnification, meaning that some guests with relatively mild prescriptions find they can see reasonably well without prescription lenses.
However, if you rely on glasses for everyday distance vision, prescription snorkel lenses can make a significant difference to your experience.
Being able to clearly see the coral, fish and marine life around you makes snorkelling much more enjoyable.
Does the Water Naturally Magnify Your Vision?
Yes.
When you put your face underwater while wearing a normal mask, the mask restores an air space between your eyes and the water. This changes the way light enters your eyes and makes objects underwater appear larger and closer than they would otherwise.
This is one reason some guests with mild prescriptions find that they can snorkel comfortably even without prescription lenses.
However, everyone's eyesight is different, so there isn't a single answer that applies to everyone.
If you're unsure, our crew can help you try the closest available prescription lens when we fit your snorkelling equipment.
What Prescription Lenses Does Ocean Eco Adventures Have?
We carry a selection of interchangeable prescription lenses onboard for guests who require additional vision correction.
Our current range includes:
-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, +2, +3. +3.5
These lenses are designed to provide a practical alternative for guests who don't have their own prescription snorkelling mask.
We recommend adding a note to your booking if you require prescription lenses. This gives our crew advance notice so we can make sure we are prepared to assist you when fitting your snorkelling equipment.
After we were kitted out with very good equipment, including prescription masks if you need them, we were sent in for a test snorkel around a reef, where we saw heaps of fish, turtles and reef sharks. The boat is easy to get onto and off as you slide out like seals onto the Marlin board at the back.
★★★★★ TripAdvisor review
What If My Prescription Isn't a Simple + or -?
This is becoming increasingly common.
Many people don't have a straightforward prescription that can simply be described as one positive or negative number. You may have different prescriptions between your eyes, astigmatism or a more complex prescription.
Our onboard lenses are designed to provide a close match rather than replicate every individual's exact prescription.
If you have a more complicated prescription, we recommend speaking with your optometrist before your trip and asking which of our available strengths would be the closest match to your prescription.
This can make choosing your mask on the day much easier.
And don't worry if your prescription isn't straightforward—we'll still do our best to find the most suitable option from what we have available onboard.
What About Positive (+) Prescriptions?
We do carry positive (+) prescription lenses.
For many people, positive prescriptions are primarily used to improve close-up vision, such as reading, rather than distance vision. This means they may not cause as much difficulty when you're looking at the reef or marine life further away.
This can be particularly relevant during a Whale Shark or Manta Ray swim.
Whale Sharks and Manta Rays are large animals and guests must maintain a minimum distance of 3 metres from them during the interaction. You're therefore not trying to read something close to your face—you're observing a large animal in the open ocean.
Combined with the natural magnification created by your mask underwater, some guests with positive prescriptions find that their vision is perfectly adequate for the experience.
If you're unsure, our crew can help you determine whether one of our available lenses may be suitable.
What If I Wear Contact Lenses?
If you already wear contact lenses and are comfortable wearing them, this is often the easiest and best option for snorkelling with a prescription.
Contact lenses give you your normal, exact prescription without having to find the closest available prescription lens for a snorkel mask. You can simply wear your contacts as you normally would and use the standard snorkelling equipment provided on the day.
For guests who regularly wear contact lenses, this is generally our preferred option because you get the same vision correction you are already accustomed to, without having to compromise with a prescription mask that may not exactly match your individual prescription.
If you're unsure whether your particular contact lenses are suitable for use while swimming or snorkelling, we recommend checking with your optometrist or eye-care professional before your tour.
happy guest in black wetsuit swimming with a whale shark happy guest in black wetsuit swimming with a manta ray happy guest in black wetsuit swimming over coral
Do I Need to Buy My Own Prescription Snorkel Mask?
Not necessarily.
If you're visiting Ningaloo Reef for a holiday and only expect to snorkel occasionally, there's no need to rush out and purchase an expensive prescription mask.
If you normally wear contact lenses and are comfortable using them in the water, this is often the simplest solution because you retain your exact prescription.
For guests who don't use contact lenses, our crew will do their best to fit you with the closest available prescription lenses or mask on the day.
However, if you regularly snorkel or dive, or have a particularly complex prescription, you may find that investing in a prescription snorkelling mask made specifically for your eyes is worthwhile.
These masks are made using your personal prescription rather than relying on the closest available lens strength. Your optometrist or specialist dive shop can advise you whether this would be appropriate for you.
The important thing is that you don't need to purchase a prescription mask just to join one of our tours. We'll always do our best to find a suitable solution with the equipment we have available onboard.
Prescription Masks on Our Tours
Prescription lens options are available on our Whale Shark Discovery tours from Exmouth, and onour Coral Bay Exclusive tour aboard Wirraji, so guests who require vision correction can still enjoy the incredible marine life of the Ningaloo Reef.
If you require a prescription mask, please let us know when making your booking so our crew can be prepared to assist you with your equipment on the day.
Our Best Advice
If you wear glasses or have a prescription, don't assume you won't be able to snorkel.
Let us know when you book, bring your prescription information if you have it, and speak with your optometrist beforehand if you're unsure which lens strength would be most suitable.
Our crew will do their best to find the closest available prescription lens and help you get comfortably fitted with your snorkelling equipment on the day.
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in the water.
After all, the Ningaloo Reef is there to be experienced—and we want as many people as possible to be able to see it clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear contact lenses while snorkelling?
Yes. If you already wear contact lenses and are comfortable wearing them, this is often our preferred option for snorkelling with a prescription. You get your normal, exact vision correction without having to rely on a prescription mask or lens that may not exactly match your individual prescription. If you're unsure whether your particular lenses are suitable for swimming or snorkelling, check with your optometrist or eye-care professional before your tour.
Can I snorkel if I wear glasses?
Yes. You cannot wear regular glasses underneath a snorkel mask, but prescription snorkel lenses can provide an alternative.
Does a snorkel mask magnify your vision?
Yes. The air space created by a normal snorkel mask naturally changes how light enters your eyes and makes objects underwater appear larger and closer.
Does Ocean Eco Adventures provide prescription snorkel masks?
We provide interchangeable prescription lenses that can be fitted into our snorkel masks.
-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, +2, +3. +3.5
Do I need to bring my prescription?
It is helpful to know your prescription, particularly if you have a more complicated prescription. We recommend asking your optometrist which of our available strengths would be the closest match.
Should I buy my own prescription snorkel mask?
Not necessarily. Our crew will do their best to fit you with a suitable prescription lens onboard. However, if you snorkel regularly or have a complex prescription, a personally fitted prescription mask may be worth considering.
Explore the Ningaloo Reef With Confidence
Whether you need prescription lenses, additional flotation or simply a little extra help getting comfortable with your snorkelling equipment, our crew are here to help.
We understand that everyone arrives with different levels of swimming and snorkelling experience, and our goal is to make your time on the Ningaloo Reef as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
If you have questions about prescription lenses or whether a Whale Shark tour is suitable for you, contact the Ocean Eco Adventures team before booking. We're always happy to talk through your individual circumstances and help you work out the best option.
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