Can you wear contacts on your eyes when you snorkel?

[runrex]

I'm going on my first cruise in December and want to snorkel. I never have been snorkeling before and I wear contact lens. Would the mask be tight enough to not let water in? Otherwise, I'm afraid I would loose a contact if water would enter in the mask. I've heard of prescription lens on the mask but I don't want to purchase a mask since I rarely go snorkeling.

[KaC-Cruiser]

I'm going on my first cruise in December and want to snorkel. I never have been snorkeling before and I wear contact lens. Would the mask be tight enough to not let water in? Otherwise, I'm afraid I would loose a contact if water would enter in the mask. I've heard of prescription lens on the mask but I don't want to purchase a mask since I rarely go snorkeling.

I have been wearing my contacts first snorkeling for a few years, now scuba diving for 3 years, and haven't lost one yet! Mask may leak a bit, depending on the fit, but usually not enough to get in your eyes. And there is a method to get it out, even under water when I'm diving. You tilt your head up, very slightly lift the mask bottom and blow air into the mask thru your nose ... the air pressure pushes the water out, and you release the mask back to your face to reseal. Of course if your snorkeling, you can lift your head out of the water, and lift the bottom slightly to just drain the bit of water out. Also - don't overtighten your mask, as that actually makes it work.

 

But alway travel with a spare contact pair or two .... just in case!!

[anniversary cruiser]

I wear gas permeable contact lenses and have always worn them to snorkle and swim with goggles (otherwise I wouldn't be able to see where I was going or who I was swimming with!) I always wear my spare pair, just in case. Never had a problem.

[bruce-r]

I would suggest getting a set of disposable contacts if you can. That way it wouldn't be catastrophic if you lost one.

[calmac]

Having worn contacts for years I now wear glasses on a daily basis and only wear contacts (daily disposables) for snorkelling. I haven't done a lot of snorkelling but have not had any problems wearing contacts at the same time. Like anniversary cruiser I wouldn't be able to see anything otherwise.

[kchesneylover]

It's no problem. Its highly unlikely you will loose a contact while snorkeling. I wear them each time I snorkel. Like others have said - just be sure to pack some extra pairs and an extra set of glasses.