The Best Full Face Snorkel Mask 2024

Best Full-Face Snorkel Mask
NEW V3 Seaview 180°

The Best Full-Face Snorkel Mask is the NEW Seaview 180° V3. This is Seaviews’s much anticipated 2024 update to the popular V2 (check out the V2 reviews here) and stands out amongst the crowd with hundreds of reviews confirming it’s many features. 

Designed and tested in the USA, its latest model boasts a patent-pending SAFE C02 expelling ‘Flowtech’ system, an anti-fogging crystal clear 180° visibility, a side-mounted dry snorkel, and auto water purge so you’ll never need to take off the mask or purge if water comes in.

Also includes a camera mount that works with the new GoPro down near the chin area (this position helps to keep the camera fully submerged).

This full-face snorkel mask is made to let you breathe naturally through your nose and mouth – 600% easier breathing compared to other full-face snorkeling masks. One happy snorkeler reviewed with "The ability to take deep breaths, even under exertion is noticeably better with the V3."

The Seaview 180° V3 full-face snorkel mask comes in three sizes. This is great as an ill-fitting face mask will very likely lead to leaks. The anti-fog and anti-leak design also mean that you get a crystal-clear view, every time.

Check out my recommended full-face snorkel add-ons to ensure a smooth snorkel day:

• These Seaview multi-function snorkel fins

• The powerful Mares fins that’s our top snorkel fin for 2024.

• This inflatable jacket aids buoyancy for prolonged snorkel sessions.

• This Waterlust snorkel gear is if you like to cover up for sun and stinger protection, or just so you’re not snorkeling around in an itty bitty bikini, we love and use this gear ourselves! Made from recycled plastic bottles, with 10% of purchases of the whale shark collection donated towards whale shark conservation.

Need a prescription full face mask? I’ve written a guide to prescription snorkel masks here that includes full-face options and other alternatives.

Runner Up Best Full-Face Snorkel Mask
Cressi Duke

Another amazing full face snorkel mask option is the Cressi Duke. Designed in Italy with safety as the top priority, this mask is the latest addition to Cressi's established range of snorkeling gear. With a reputation that stretches back to 1946, and makers of my favourite snorkel mask, the Cressi has outdone itself with the Duke, garnering a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from more than 1,600 users, and hundreds of detailed reviews.

I love the design of these. Their form is less bulky and chonk, plus they use a lot more translucent material giving it a light and airy aesthetic... definitely a lot less full-on than most other full-face mask designs out there!

The Duke also boasts a 30% larger viewing area compared to standard models, allowing snorkelers to fully appreciate the underwater world without feeling confined.

Its design facilitates natural and effortless breathing, courtesy of a wide breathing area around the nose and mouth, while a specialized deflector ensures air circulation and combats fogging.

An innovative dry snorkel keeps water out while the water-draining valves safely and efficiently expel any water that might infiltrate the mask.

Comfort is at the heart of the Duke's design, featuring a face skirt made from soft hypoallergenic silicone that ensures both comfort and a perfect seal. To ensure the optimal fit, Cressi has made the Duke available in two sizes.

One enthusiastic snorkeler commented, "I've tried a lot of full face snorkel masks and this is my favorite. Not only do I have a large viewing area, but I can breathe normally. Most of the full face masks I have tried in the past has restricted air flow. I have to calm my breathing but not with this one."

With its unique blend of safety, comfort, and clear viewing, the Cressi Duke holds its own in the market of full-face snorkel masks.

I recommend you pair this mask with:

• These Cressi snorkelling fins, or these Cressi short fins for travel.

• These powerful Mares fins if you want to really shoot through the water.

• This inflatable jacket aids buoyancy for prolonged snorkel sessions.

• This Waterlust snorkel gear is if you like to cover up for sun and stinger protection, or just so you’re not snorkeling around in an itty bitty bikini, we love this gear. 10% of purchases of the whale shark collection is donated towards whale shark conservation.

Why you can trust this guide

Simon is a shark conservation biologist and world-renowned underwater photographer who dives, snorkels and freedives for a living. He is a co-founder and Principal Scientist at the Marine Megafauna Foundation, where he leads the global whale shark research and conservation program. His marine research and photography are routinely covered by major media outlets, including the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and New York Times amongst many others. One of his photographs was chosen as a personal favourite of Sir David Attenborough’s, in conjunction with BBC’s Blue Planet II series, and another illustrates one of the global PADI scuba diving certification cards.

Madeleine is an avid scuba diver and recreational freediver who’s dived some of the most spectacular locations around the world, including Misool and northern Raja Ampat, Lembongan, Lembeh Straight, Tulamben, Fiji, Vanuatu, and of course at home in Australia. She’s a minimalist and likes to travel light (which Simon encourages, as he can then use her baggage allowance!!), opting to mostly hire dive and snorkel gear wherever she goes. She’s been sampling the world’s equipment for over a decade. She has opinions.

As seen in:

How we identified the best full face snorkel masks:

We looked at all the current models from top brands globally to find the best snorkel fins on the market in 2024. Aside from our own personal experience with lots of snorkel gear, Madeleine spent hours watching YouTube Reviews and product explainers, arguing with Simon, debating with snorkel friends, and scouring reviews and message boards. To summarize:

• I spoke to snorkelling retailers in both Australia and Indonesia who specialise in snorkelling masks.

• We interviewed marine researchers and snorkeling tour guides to get their feedback on functionality, durability, and what they’ve observed from seeing thousands of guests wearing every type of full face snorkel masks on their trips.

• I read hundreds of reviews covering all experience levels and snorkelling needs.

• I spent 10 hours in full face snorkel mask research on Amazon and message boards, scouring information and reviews.

• I viewed dozens of YouTube reviews and product explainers.

• Simon and I spend our lives in the water and know what is needed for various situations.

• We've chatted to dozens of other snorkelers about their masks and what's important to them.

Full-face snorkel masks are for surface snorkeling, not diving under

Full-face snorkel masks may look great in promotional material which shows snorkelers fully submerged, but I find these materials very misleading as the masks are actually quite challenging to use if you like to dive down and explore underwater even to just a few meters in depth. They make equalizing your ears tough, and the air in the mask can make your head overly buoyant!

Also, recently, we had a couple on a whale shark trip who decided to try out full-face masks... and… they did not love the experience. Whale sharks are speedy, so you have to hustle hard to keep up which can make the masks super hot and sweaty, and also like you just can’t get enough air. Also, you can’t take out your snorkel to share how freaking ‘AWESOME!’ everything is without taking off the entire mask, risking filling it immediately in water. Just not for us.

So, keep in mind full-face snorkel masks are for the chilled recreational surface floaty style of snorkeling… not action-style snorkeling or where you’ll likely break the surface to explore underwater.

Full face Snorkel Masks pros and cons

Full face snorkel mask PRO's - why are they good?

• Great for kids, those who are new to snorkelling, or have anxiety about snorkelling, or the ocean in general.

• They allow you to breathe naturally using both your nose and mouth.

• They have a 'dry snorkel' so no water gets in through the snorkel (though decent normal snorkels also do this)

• Leakage automatically drains without you needing to shake out the mask or purge.

• They are less likely to fog thanks to their one-way breathing design.

Full face mask CON's

• Some models may have CO2 build-up issues so it's best to stick with trustworthy brands. Safety first!

• They attract lots of attention. You might be ok with that, but if you don't like attention when you're half-naked in your bathing suit, you may not enjoy wearing it.

• It's bulky and takes up a lot of room in your luggage.

• Some models can't keep up with heavy breathing if you are being very active or just needing to swim against a current.

• You'll likely overheat if you are even a little bit active which can feel stuffy, hot and sweaty.

• It’s only really designed to look down from the surface so if you dive down alot it will cause pressure and most tend to leak.

• They can feel claustrophobic if you have a tendency toward that already.

• You can't talk to your buddies on the surface unless you take off the whole thing. Massive downside. One of the best things about snorkelling over scuba is the ability to chat - point things out, and shout out to each other at the surface. Saying that though, if you are literally beside your buddy you can talk properly (though still a bit muffled!) while submerged since your mouth is completely free to move.

I found this video super useful and entertaining - enjoy!

Full Face Snorkel Mask Components

I'm using the Seaview V2 as a visual example, and when there's a major variation in designs I've explained the difference in italics.

1. Auto Drain - Automatically expels salty water without the need to do anything.

2. Fog Resistant - The one-way breathing system helps to reduce fogging in the eye area.

3. Fully adjustable straps - Help to create a perfect fit.

4. Camera Mount - An attachment for your camera or go pro. The Seaview positions the mount at the bottom of the mask near the chin to make it easier to keep submerged. Many position it at the top of the head near or on the snorkel which means you need to always keep your head fully downward.

5. Anti-leak silicone - creates a seal to prevent water from entering the mask.

6. Maximum visibility - crystal clear 180° panoramic view.

7. Dual Airflow Dry Snorkel System - Separate air-in/air-out channels ensure C02 is effectively cleared. The dry snorkel design prevents any water from entering the snorkel even when fully submerged.