I’m tired of searching the 'net. Anyone had luck with snorkeling in Hawai’i and having a mask that doesn’t fog up?
What’s better…a high-end mask, or a regular mask using anti-fog spray. Or both?
Whatever I’m doing, it isn’t working. I snorkel on the Kona side of the Big Island, and I spend 95% of my time taking my mask off and rinsing the fog off.
I should have said “Need answer fast!” in the title because I’m leaving next week, and if I need to order something on the 'net, I’m running out of time.
With any new mask use toothpaste and a toothbrush on the inside lenses to clean it out. There can be a coating when you get them new that makes them far more foggable.
Also some peoples spit works better than others. You can buy mask defog or use baby shampoo and water solution if you’re one of those unlucky people.
What worked for me in Indonesia was to thoroughly rub the inside of my mask with fresh leaf plucked from a bush near the shore and to make sure my mask was on tight enough. For me, if I didn’t shave that morning, it was enough to cause fogging. Once your mask is on comfortably and fog free, don’t fiddle with it for the rest of your swim. I don’t know the name of the bush, but any green oily leaf seemed to work.
Any dive shop will have several anti-fog solutions and gels. Spit doesn’t work well for me when diving.
A little dish washing liquid mixed in water works as well as many of the commercial products.
Ok. Here’s the high tech & complicated-so-it must-be-right solution, since I can’t be the nth person saying just spit.
Arrive in Hawai.
Find yourself a Snorkel Bob store.
Browse the selection of well designed and reasonably priced masks.
Maybe pick up a new rashguard shirt or two, they’re great to avoid sunburns while snorkeling as well.
Maybe rent a good quality boogie board for your kids.
Be sure to pick up their up to date list of great snorkeling spots.
As you pay for your other purchases, ask for a bottle of their no-fog solution. A whole $3 or $5, I forget.
Follow complex directions carefully. (1 drop in each side, smear, snorkel, iirc)
You’re welcome.
trupa, snorkeler extraordinaire.
Ps. do not pick up the sea urchins.
PPs. That colorful fish you will see everywhere is called the Humu Humu Nuku Nuku ApuAa. It’s the state fish.
I don’t know what it is about my spit, but it doesn’t work.
sigh First cilantro tastes like soap and now this.
The problem is the warm water. My mask doesn’t fog up anywhere else. And it’s not like it takes a long time to fog up. It’s instant. And yet, other people I know don’t have the same problem. I’ve tried spit and anti-fog drops. Nothing works. My mask is just a Costco special, so I wondered if a better product would help, but it sounds like the issue is just me
I’m telling you, the leaf thing works. Spit doesn’t work for me either, and those commercial spays only work so-so, but if I pluck a leaf off a bush near the shore and rub it on the mask, I don’t have fogging problems.
