# I need a no fog solution for snorkeling in Hawai'i **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 21, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434 "2010-07-21T05:57:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/1 "2010-07-21T05:57:23Z")
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. Anyone have luck with this? ---
**Author:** ![ShermanAter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ShermanAter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShermanAter)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/2 "2010-07-21T06:34:13Z")
Spit. ---
**Author:** ![TastesLikeBurning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@TastesLikeBurning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TastesLikeBurning)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/3 "2010-07-21T07:01:47Z")
What **ShermanAter** said, seriously. Spit on the lens, rub it around with your finger, then give it a quick rinse with the seawater. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/4 "2010-07-21T07:13:00Z")
I haven’t known anyone who doesn’t just spit and smear it around. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/5 "2010-07-21T11:41:17Z")
Fourthed: Spit. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/6 "2010-07-21T11:41:25Z")
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. Otara ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/7 "2010-07-21T12:55:06Z")
Also, leave a little water in the mask. When it fogs up, just move your head and swish it around. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/8 "2010-07-21T12:57:41Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/9 "2010-07-21T14:31:13Z")
> [@ShermanAter](#): > > Spit. I was a competitive swimmer for years and have snorkeled multiple times. This is the answer. Close the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Diver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@Diver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diver)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/10 "2010-07-21T20:00:40Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/11 "2010-07-21T20:10:30Z")
Spit. I’ve snorkeled most of my life. There’s nothing better in your mask. ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/12 "2010-07-21T20:17:20Z")
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._ ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/13 "2010-07-21T20:26:13Z")
> [@trupa](#): > > _PPs. That colorful fish you will see everywhere is called the Humu Humu Nuku Nuku ApuAa. It’s the state fish._ And it’s pronounced exactly the way it’s spelled! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/14 "2010-07-21T21:14:24Z")
I love saying that word! Although I spell it humuhumunukunukuapua’a – no spaces. But it’s fun to say no matter how you spell it! Oh, has anyone mentioned spitting in the mask to prevent fogging? 'Cause that’s what I do. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/15 "2010-07-21T21:32:11Z")
Swallow ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/16 "2010-07-22T04:56:31Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Swallow That will work better than spit. 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 ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/17 "2010-07-22T06:37:37Z")
> [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](#): > > And yet, other people I know don’t have the same problem…it sounds like the issue is just me ☹ Swap masks with someone for a minute and find out for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/18 "2010-07-22T08:52:53Z")
Give the lens a good clean with toothpaste. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/19 "2010-07-22T09:09:32Z")
I find phlegm works better than saliva. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2010, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434/20 "2010-07-22T10:01:30Z")
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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-a-no-fog-solution-for-snorkeling-in-hawaii/547434.md?page=2)