Snorkelling - 'regular' mask vs full face mask?

[Aridane]

Can any snorkellers help?

I am an occasional snorkeller – ie when on holiday at a beach location with lovely underwater sights – and am thinking of getting my own mask & snorkel.

However, at Decathlon, I see that they have not just the regular masks & snorkels but ones which cover your whole face and where you can breathe normally.

The guy at Decathlon said it was personal preference but the benefits of the whole face mask (apart from being able to breathe normally) was sideways vision and something to do with the snorkel not letting in water.

I tried both on and the whole face one felt a bit claustrophobic – though to be honest trying on any mask in a shop doesn't feel great, particularly when your hair is getting caught up in it.

Has anyone tried both types of mask? What did you think, particularly if you started off with a conventional mask and then moved to the full face one?

Many thanks.

I found the full face one very, very claustrophobic. It was a faff to remove when I felt myself hyperventilating, so gave it away and bought a separate mask and snorkel. Definitely a personal preference but not for me.

Btw, I'd used a traditional one previously and had no problems with it.

I love the full face one, it's amazing.

I can't use the other ones.

PLEASE be so careful with full face masks - a lot of dive shops do not sell them and these guys are experts in snorkeling/scuba www.scubadoctor.com.au/snorkelling-full-face-mask-dangers.htm
watchyourselves.com/are-full-face-snorkel-masks-safe/

My brothers a scuba diver and said the full masks are incredibly dangerous so would recommend the half one- I used the half on last month and it was brilliant. Was from amazon!

Ah x post sorry

Thank you, @Charteta

Although I am unlikely to be doing any of the things the article highlights as being potentially dangerous in a full face mask, I think I may be better with a conventional one. It is what I'm used to and will take up less space in my luggage

DH and I got the full face ones for snorkelling last year's holiday. Yes the view out of them was great, and the water didn't get in at all, but the CO2 really built up quickly in them. We had to stop every ten minutes or so, as we could feel breathing getting heavy, and lift it up to get fresh air in.

Thanks all, really glad I posted

Another point is that if you like swimming and snorkeling it is much better to be routinely in a habit of mouth breathing only when in the water. Even if you aren't PADI qualified, lots of people have the odd shallow scuba on holiday, again it's easier for your body if you are routinely only mouth breathing.

I have snorkelled for 40 yrs and always used traditional gear. Bought my youngest daughter a full face mask for her first ever snorkelling adventure this year. Shes tried the traditional and wouldnt control her breathing correctly. The full face mask gave her the confidence to have another go. Afrer a few tries in shallow water she was jumping of the boat mid ocean. I decided to try it; tool me a while to adjust to it.
Altho i felt a little more restricted, i found breathing easy. Im not as fit as i once was so this was a bonus. I now have my own. I will stick to my regular equipment for the occasions i know i intend to dive, but def use thefull face, when im with my daughter and expect to stay on the surface