rent prescription snorkel mask?

[zoneinfinite]

Hello, I'll be going Phuket for the first time next week. Just to confirm, are there shops which rent prescription snorkel masks? Can they put the lens on the spot? I know I can buy them here locally or there, but don't want to spend too much money. I just need them for a day or two while on holiday...

Thanks!

[seafox]

Originally Posted by zoneinfinite

Hello, I'll be going Phuket for the first time next week. Just to confirm, are there shops which rent prescription snorkel masks? Can they put the lens on the spot? I know I can buy them here locally or there, but don't want to spend too much money. I just need them for a day or two while on holiday...

Thanks!

Buy your own. I do not know of any dive shop in the world that would rent a mask with a prescription in it, too much cost for hardly any return.

You might find a shop that rents maks with corrective lenses that can be popped in but that is a magnification correction, think it goes from -1.0 to -5.0 or so. Don't know any store that has them for rent.

[Crustasian]

Most of the dive shops that do day trips and hire equipment all carry perscription masks with the various degrees of sighting.Simply ask at the shop.

I don't know if they would be happy giving one over to you just to go off snorkelling.You would have to leave a big deposit.

[Capt. Fantastic]

My experience is that with a "standard" correction-- near or far sighted-- it is not too hard to locate a mask. Or so I was told. However I am astigmatic and a suitable mask was not available anywhere. Was also told I needed to buy the mask OUTSIDE Thailand then carry it with me. Did not research further since perfect clarity underwater is sort of an endless quest.

Bust Crusty does have a point... unless you are on a dive shop's tour they will be loath to part with a mask.

My $0.02.