Yes, you can dive if you wear glasses or contact lenses, you just cannot wear your regular glasses inside the mask because the frames will not fit. The two easy solutions are diving with soft contact lenses, which most people do without any issue, or using a prescription dive mask with corrective lenses built in. Either way, poor eyesight is no reason to skip diving. Here is exactly how each option works and how to keep your vision clear on the reef in Isla Fuerte.
Why regular glasses do not work
A dive mask has to seal against your face to keep water out, and the arms and frame of ordinary glasses break that seal, letting water leak in constantly. They also press uncomfortably and can be knocked off entirely.
So the glasses themselves stay on the boat. The good news is that the underwater world is closer than it looks: the magnifying effect of water and mask actually makes objects appear about a third larger, which helps a little even without correction.
Diving with contact lenses
The simplest solution for most people is soft contact lenses. They sit directly on your eye, so they work perfectly under a mask and give you your normal vision underwater. The vast majority of divers who wear contacts on land simply keep them in.
The one habit to adopt is to close your eyes for the moment you clear water from your mask, so a lens is never washed out. Tell your instructor you wear contacts and it becomes a complete non-issue.
Prescription dive masks
If you do not wear contacts or prefer not to, a prescription mask is a great option. These masks have corrective lenses fitted into the glass, matched to your eyesight, so you see clearly with nothing on your eyes at all.
They are ideal for divers with strong prescriptions or anyone who finds contacts uncomfortable in water. Let us know your prescription ahead of your trip and we can advise on arranging a suitable mask so your vision is sorted before you arrive.
A clear view of the reef
Getting your vision right matters because Isla Fuerte's reefs reward a good look, from the coral gardens of Rosa Vieja to the submerged Zenú museum at Bajo Bonito. Clear sight also helps you read hand signals and stay connected to your buddy and guide.
Whatever your eyesight, we will help you sort it out before the dive. Explore our courses and dives, and just mention your glasses or contacts when you book.
