Buying a Beginner’s Spearfishing Mask in 2023

I used to have all sorts of trouble finding a beginner’s spearfishing mask.

You’d be shocked at how many I went through when learning to spearfish. Because I really struggled to find a mask for beginners with the perfect fit. Perhaps I’m just fussy (or a little like Goldilocks). But I’d rather replace a wrong mask than suffer through the leaks.

Recently, I spent an entire day in the water testing the best spearfishing masks, and I wanted to make it easy for you to buy your first spearfishing mask.

So here it is. Get yourself the Omer Alien dive mask. It’s an affordable low-volume mask, high quality, and you can buy it by clicking here and following the link.

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Buying a Beginner’s Spearfishing Mask in 2023 [Tested & Reviewed]

UPDATE 15th March 2023: I just spent a day in the water putting these spearfishing masks to the test, so you can get REAL feedback on what they’re like to use. For a beginner, my advice is to go with the Omer Alien. It’s affordable quality and just right for both beginners and even more advanced divers when you’re spearfishing.

 

You know, it can feel like an impossible task to find the “right” spearfishing mask.

You’re choosing from all the different brands, the different types, the different materials, the different designs, and they all come at vastly different price points.

So it’s no wonder it can feel a little overwhelming for a beginner to choose their mask.

I’ve been spearfishing for over 30 years, and I hope this article will help you find your first spearfishing mask. It’s not rocket science, but a little help goes a long way, and I wish I had someone telling me all of this before I wasted hundreds of dollars on lousy gear.

 

 

What You Need in A Beginner’s Spearfishing Mask

As a beginner, you won’t be making too many demands on your gear, but that doesn’t mean you should buy anything. There are three key things to look for in your mask.

1. It needs to sit comfortably on your face when you wear it
2. There must be a good seal so it won’t leak when you’re underwater
3. Find a spearfishing mask with a good field of vision and visibility

Do not buy any mask that doesn’t fit these three criteria.

If you do, it’s a waste of money.

Right, now, let me run you through the three best spearfishing masks for beginners. Instead of giving you a list of everything, I’m sharing what I’d buy in your shoes. Cutting down the choices to three good options so that you can get in the water – even faster.

But if you want more info, click here. I cover many more mask reviews in this post.

Omer Alien Spearfishing Mask

Editor’s Choice: Beginner’s Spearfishing Mask

If you’ve started to get into diving, you’ll have heard of Omer. They’re a premium brand, and you’ll see many of their masks when you’re out in the water.

Omer’s spearfishing masks are great for beginners.

It’s a low-profile mask which means you won’t be wasting unnecessary air as you equalize while giving you a good field of vision underwater. The soft black silicone skirt helps provide a perfect seal, and I found it aerodynamic in the water while being comfortable on my face.

Click the product box below to get your hands on this awesome spearfishing mask.

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SEAC One Camo Spearfishing Mask

Best Value: Beginner’s Spearfishing Mask

You’ll be delighted wearing this mask as you learn to spearfish.

It’s got a comfortable, liquid silicone seal that sits well on my face while you get a good field of vision as you spearfish. The design is perfect. I love the camouflage print, and it’s a straightforward freediving mask that’ll serve most beginners well.

Oh, and it comes with a snorkel included, perfect for saving a little extra cash.

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Salvimar Noah Spearfishing Mask

Shortlist: Beginner’s Spearfishing Mask

This spearfishing mask does well with the low-volume design that feels good on your face. Comfortable, even for the people (like me) who have a wider face.

The soft silicone skirt stops any slow leaks creeping in, and it’s cut a little shorter under the nose than most dive masks.

So if you’re sporting a beard, you’re going to get a much better seal using a mask like the Salvimar Noah (when compared to others at this price point). Perfect for beginners who don’t want to deal with a poorly-fitting mask while they’re learning to spearfish.

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What beginners need to know when buying a mask

Ultimately, there are a few things you should be looking for when you’re trying to buy your first spearfishing mask.

These are what I believe to be most important, and if you spend a little time now to make sure that whatever mask you buy ticks all the boxes – you’ll have so much more fun once you get out in the water and start spearfishing.

Don’t get an expensive spearfishing mask that’s too fancy

There are spearfishing masks out there that’ll cost you hundreds of dollars.

Masks sporting all kinds of neat features and quality fittings that sound incredibly tempting. Ultra-low volume. Super-soft silicone. Patented strap clips. Reflective tints.

Of course, the masks with these features are much more “top shelf” than the three beginner masks I’m telling you to buy, but I honestly believe a beginner doesn’t need that. Instead, beginners need a no-frills mask that’ll let you see underwater.

Spend too much money on it, and you’ll be terribly upset as soon as it gets scratched, sometimes breaks, or whatever else happens. You don’t want that. So instead, find an acceptable mask that won’t break the bank, like the Omer Alien.

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Ensure the spearfishing mask fits well on your face

The single, most important thing when you’re choosing a beginner’s spearfishing mask is that it’s comfortable on your face and seals well.

And the best way to ensure you get a good seal is to try the mask on.

When you press it to your face and breathe in through your nose – there should be some suction. And the mask will stay in place (even without wearing the strap).

Once you’ve done this, try moving your face around and changing your expression. It should stay in place (and not fall). The strap must have fittings to adjust the tension quickly and a broad back to hold it securely on your face when you dive.

I personally like spearfishing masks with a black silicone seal. The dark skirts block light from entering the side of your vision, which can be a distraction on a transparent mask. Because on sunny days, you get glare, shadows and movement across your field of vision.

These distractions will make spearfishing harder. As a beginner, you want every advantage you can get.

Don’t ignore pressure inside the spearfishing mask

Masks that push on your face are a small thing that quickly becomes a big issue.

Once you’re wearing the mask, you want to make sure that nothing is pushing on your face.

One of the biggest problems with a mask is your face pressing against the frame, which becomes unbearable. Like the bridge of your nose squished by the frame, I also had issues with one that hurt my forehead.

In the store, you may think you can ignore it.

But once you start diving, it’s only going to get worse. The more time you spend in the water, the more it presses. And it gets worse when you descend to start spearfishing as the pressure increases.

It makes it uncomfortable to wear and is a distraction you don’t need as a beginner learning to spearfish. Just try a few different masks, and choose the comfiest one.

Pick a spearfishing mask with two lenses

Now, I say this because more and more spearfishing masks are hitting the market that advertises a “single” lens as a feature.

It is good because you get more visibility directly in front. But I find it reduces your peripheral vision. That is, what’s going on just off to the sides of where you’re looking).

And when you’re spearfishing, you want as wide of a field of vision as possible – so you’ve got the best possible chances of seeing a target fish.

Masks with two lenses also have another benefit: the lenses can sit closer to your eyes (because of the angles). A style that reduces the air volume inside the spearfishing mask, so you’ll waste less precious oxygen each time you equalize.

And you’ll enjoy a longer bottom time.

How to prepare a beginner’s spearfishing mask for use

When you get your spearfishing mask home, it’s not ready to use immediately.

The glass lenses are usually covered in a thin silicon film from the factory production.

This is residue from the manufacturing process, and you need to remove it. We call this pre-treating or prepping your mask – a step you’ll do before using it.

If you don’t, your mask will fog up like crazy.

Many people like to use a trick to scrub the residue clear with toothpaste. Take a good squeeze, and using your finger, give both the inside and outside of the lens a scrub.

Rinse it off with water, and then repeat the process. You’ll need to do this several times for the best results and ensure all silicone residue is cleaned free.

This technique only works if you’ve got glass lenses (plastic lenses will get scratched from the abrasive elements in toothpaste). Generally, you’ll find plastic lenses on only the cheapest masks. If you’ve chosen a plastic-lensed mask (not recommended), the best thing you can do is use a mask defogger – spraying it inside the lenses to counteract any fog.

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What I like to do with my masks is faster but slightly riskier.

You take a cigarette lighter and use the flame to burn off any silicone residue on the glass.

You can do it in just a few minutes. Let the flame barely touch the glass and slowly wave it back and forth over the lenses. Things can go wrong if you burn the silicone skirts, and if you’re worried, using the toothpaste trick is a much safer option.

Wrapping up the beginner’s guide to a spearfishing mask

Now that’s it.

Even if you’re a beginner and have never picked up a speargun, you now have a pretty good idea of what you should be looking for in your first mask to make sure you’re not wasting your hard-earned money on things that don’t matter.

I hope I’ve cleared up any questions you have on a beginner’s spearfishing mask, but if not – feel free to drop me a message or a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.

The only last thing I’ll say – and is critical.

Make sure you find a mask with a comfortable fit that seals well. Get this right, and you’ll have SO MUCH MORE FUN in the water (because your mask won’t be leaking or fogging up like there’s no tomorrow).

And that’s key.

Stay safe, be well – and most importantly, go catch a bunch of fish.

Happy spearin’