Can You Bring Your Own Mask on Waikiki Snorkeling Tours?
Yes, you can bring your own mask on Living Ocean Tours snorkeling trips. We also provide snorkeling equipment, so you can pack your favorite mask or leave yours at home.
A comfortable fit can make it easier to relax and enjoy the reef. Policies differ among Waikiki snorkeling tours, so the answer below focuses on what you can expect when you join us.
Bringing your own mask on Waikiki snorkeling tours
Your personal gear is welcome
If you have a mask you love, bring it along. You can also bring your own snorkel and fins. Familiar equipment can be especially helpful if you already know how to adjust it and how it feels in the water.
Our tour information confirms that guests are welcome to bring personal snorkeling gear. You don’t need to arrive with a complete set: you can bring your mask and use our other equipment.
You can use our gear instead
We provide masks, snorkels, fins, and flotation equipment on our snorkeling trips. If you’re traveling light or trying snorkeling for the first time, you don’t need to buy a mask for your vacation.
Our professional snorkel guides can help you get comfortable with your equipment and explain what to expect in the water. You’ll join us at Kewalo Basin Boat Harbor, a short trip from Waikiki.
Should you bring your own mask or use ours?
Both options can work well. Your choice comes down to fit, familiarity, and how much room you have in your luggage.
Bring yours for a familiar fit
A personal mask can be a good choice if you’ve had trouble finding a comfortable seal. You may also prefer your own if it has prescription lenses or a particular shape that suits your face.
Familiarity helps if you’re a little nervous. When you know how to adjust your mask and clear a small leak, you can spend less time fussing with it after entering the water.
Give your gear a once-over before you travel. Look for a damaged strap, a loose buckle, or a silicone skirt that no longer sits smoothly against your face.
Use ours to pack light
A mask takes up space in a suitcase, and its lenses and skirt need protection during travel. Using the equipment aboard means you can save that space for the rest of your vacation essentials.
It’s also a practical option for families. Instead of buying gear that a child may quickly outgrow, you can use the snorkeling equipment provided on our trip. Let our crew know if anyone needs help finding a comfortable fit.
How to test your snorkel mask before getting in
A mask should create a gentle seal without feeling painfully tight. Whether you’re bringing your own or using ours, take a moment to adjust it before you enter the water.
Start with the seal
Place the mask against your face and move any hair away from the silicone edge. The skirt should sit flat against your skin, with your nose inside the mask.
Next, position the strap around the back of your head. Adjust it until the mask feels secure, but avoid pulling it so tight that it presses uncomfortably. An overly tight strap can distort the skirt and make sealing harder.
If you have long hair, tying it low can help keep strands away from the seal. Facial hair along the edge of the skirt can also let water in, so take extra time to find a comfortable position.
Deal with leaks and fog early
A little water in your mask doesn’t have to end your swim. However, repeated leaks are a reason to return to the boat and ask for help. A guide can help you adjust the strap, reposition the skirt, or try another mask.
Foggy lenses can make it harder to see marine life. If you use an anti-fog product, follow its directions and make sure it’s suitable for your mask. Keep the inside of the lens free of sunscreen and other residue that could interfere with a clear view.
What about your snorkel and full-face mask?
Your mask and snorkel work together, so comfort matters for both pieces. Waikiki snorkeling tours can involve floating on the surface for a while, and relaxed breathing helps you enjoy that time.
Choose a comfortable mouthpiece
A standard snorkel has a mouthpiece that sits between your lips and teeth. It should feel secure without requiring you to clench your jaw. Before entering the water, make sure the tube is clear and the mouthpiece is in good condition.
If you’re new to snorkeling, practice breathing through the snorkel while you’re calm. You can also spend a little time near the boat getting used to putting your face in the water. Tell your guide if anything feels uncomfortable.
Understand full-face mask differences
A full-face mask combines the viewing area and breathing space in one piece. It fits differently from a separate mask and snorkel, and policies on this style can vary between operators.
A separate mask and snorkel lets you remove the mouthpiece while keeping your mask on. Whichever setup you use, take it off and return to the boat if you feel uncomfortable or have difficulty breathing.
Choose a Waikiki snorkel tour for your day
You can bring your own mask on our trips or use the gear we provide. Both of these Waikiki snorkeling tours welcome beginners and give you time to enjoy the ocean with guidance from our crew.
Turtle Canyon Snorkeling Adventure
Our Turtle Canyon snorkeling excursion takes you to a natural turtle cleaning station, where Hawaiian green sea turtles visit the reef. If seeing honu is high on your list, this is a great choice.
Turtle sightings are never guaranteed, although our snorkeling trips have about a 95% success rate for finding them. The adventure starts at $79. Bring your favorite mask if you’d like, and give the turtles room to move when you’re in the water.
You can CHECK AVAILABILITY for your Turtle Canyon trip.
Deluxe Waikiki Snorkeling and Wildlife Cruise
For a day that combines reef time with extra play, choose our Deluxe Waikiki Snorkeling and Wildlife Cruise. Along with snorkeling, you can enjoy a boat-mounted waterslide, a water trampoline, and a floating lily pad.
The cruise starts at $79 and is a fun option for families and couples who want more time in and around the water. You can find more on the snorkel and waterslide tour page.
Ready to join us? CHECK AVAILABILITY for the deluxe cruise.
How to pack and care for your personal mask
A few minutes of preparation can keep your mask comfortable and protect it during your trip. You don’t need an elaborate gear bag, but you do want to keep the lenses and strap in good condition.
Protect the lenses in transit
Use a mask case or wrap your mask in a soft towel before placing it in your bag. Keep heavy objects off it, since pressure can bend the skirt or damage the lenses.
After snorkeling, rinse your mask with fresh water and let it dry out of direct sunlight. Store it away from heat, which can shorten the life of the silicone and strap. Bring home the rest of your personal gear rather than leaving it on the boat.
Pack for comfort on board
Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel for the ride back. A rash guard, hat, and sunglasses can help with sun exposure, while a reusable water bottle gives you a convenient way to stay hydrated.
Pack sunscreen without oxybenzone or octinoxate, and use a waterproof case if you plan to take your phone near the water. Our boats have shaded seating and dry storage, so you can keep your belongings organized while you swim.
Snorkel comfortably and give marine life space
Stay within your comfort zone
Listen to the crew’s safety briefing, even if you’ve snorkeled before. Wind, swell, and currents can change how the water feels, and the crew will explain the plan for your trip.
Let a guide know if you’re nervous, haven’t swum in a while, or want help with flotation. Take the ladder at your own pace and stay close to the boat while you get comfortable. If you feel tired or uneasy, head back aboard and rest.
Children benefit from a calm start, too. Help them get used to their masks and breathing before they move away from the boat, and stay close enough to support them.
Watch turtles without touching
A clear mask gives you a wonderful view of Hawaiian green sea turtles, or honu. Give them space to swim, surface, and feed without interference. Don’t touch, chase, or block a turtle’s path.
NOAA’s Hawaii wildlife-viewing guidance recommends staying at least 10 feet away from sea turtles, in the water and on land. Also, keep your fins clear of the reef and avoid standing on or touching coral.
Common questions about bringing snorkel gear
Can you wear glasses under a snorkel mask?
Ordinary glasses usually prevent a mask from sealing because the arms sit between your face and the skirt. A prescription snorkel mask gives you another way to see underwater without those arms breaking the seal.
If you already own a prescription mask that fits comfortably, you’re welcome to bring it on our tour.
Can children bring their own masks?
Yes. A child who has practiced with a familiar mask may feel more at ease using it. Make sure it fits their face now, even if it fit well on a previous trip.
Our tours welcome guests ages 3 and up. Our crew can help with equipment and flotation, and you should stay close to your child throughout the swim.
What if your mask starts leaking during the tour?
Return to the boat and let the crew know. A small adjustment may help, or you can switch to one of our masks. You don’t need to struggle through the swim with water in your mask.
Bring the mask that helps you feel comfortable
You can bring your own mask on our Waikiki snorkeling tours, and you can use the gear we provide. Either way, a comfortable fit gives you more time to enjoy the reef.
Join us with your personal equipment or pack light and use ours. Our crew will be there to help you settle in and enjoy your time on the water.
