Buying your first scuba gear can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide breaks down the essential pieces — mask, snorkel, and dive computer — with two top picks in each category, tailored for different budgets. As an instructor, I’ve helped hundreds of students choose their first gear, and I’m sharing that insight here to help you make smart, confident decisions.
Mask Up: See Clearly Underwater
Easily the most important piece of equipment for every diver! The market is full of options and with proper care, you buy your diving mask once and it lasts a lifetime!
Great Budget Mask: Cressi F1 Frameless
Cressi F1: A minimalist, frameless dive mask with a sleek single-lens design that offers a wide field of vision and low internal volume – perfect for beginners.
Best Features: Wide view, low profile, easy to clear
Colors: Available in black, clear, pink, blue, and more
Bonus: The frameless design makes it fold flat – great for packing as a backup in your BCD pocket.
Premium Choice: Apeks VX1
Apeks VX1: A top-tier mask built for comfort and clarity. Ultra-soft silicone, a frameless lightweight body, and distortion-free lens for longer dives.
Best Features: Crystal-clear visibility, featherweight feel, superb seal
Colors: Black, white, and tactical options with mirrored or clear lens
Why It Stands Out: Apeks gear is known for technical performance and rugged reliability – this is a mask you’ll love for years.
Instructor Note:
The best scuba mask is the one that fits your face — even budget masks can outperform premium ones if the seal is perfect. Avoid overtightening; it warps the skirt and causes leaks.
New mask? Burn off the silicone film inside the lenses with a lighter until they blacken — the soot washes off easily with soap and water.
Before diving, spit in the mask, rub it around, and rinse with saltwater. It may sound odd, but it’s the most common and ocean-friendly anti-fog method.
Snorkels: Small Gear, Big Impact
Having your own snorkel is hygienic and smart — plus it comes in handy on beach days and snorkeling holidays too.
Reliable Budget Pick: Oceanic Pocket Folding Snorkel
Oceanic Pocket Snorkel: A clever solution for divers who only use snorkels occasionally. Folds into a compact shape that fits into most BCD pockets or clips easily to a D-ring.
Best Features: Roll-up design, durable silicone, lightweight
Colors: Typically available in black or clear
Best For: Divers who want a reliable snorkel without bulky gear on every dive.
Premium Pick: Scubapro Spectra Dry
Scubapro Spectra Dry Snorkel: Designed for maximum surface comfort. Dry-top valve keeps water out even in choppy seas. Corrugated lower section keeps mouthpiece out of the way when not in use.
Best Features: Dry-top tech, purge valve, soft silicone mouthpiece
Colors: Wide range including black/silver, red, blue, pink, yellow
Bonus: Made by Scubapro, one of the most trusted names in diving, known for durable, high-performance gear that stands up to real-world use.
Dive Computers: Log Dives, Stay Safe, Save Money
Owning a dive computer is one of the smartest investments — it saves money in the long run, keeps your logs organized, and enhances safety by giving real-time data specific to your profile.
Best Value: Suunto Zoop Novo
Suunto Zoop Novo: Probably the most widely used dive computer in the world. Known for durability, simplicity, and great value.
Best Features: Big backlit display, Nitrox compatible, user-replaceable battery
Colors: Black, blue, yellow, lime
Why It Rocks: Almost indestructible and perfect for casual divers who log a few dives a year but want their own trustworthy computer.
Top-Tier Choice: Garmin Descent G1 Solar
Garmin Descent G1 Solar: Combines rugged dive performance with the versatility of a GPS smartwatch. Tracks gas mixes, freediving, tech profiles, and land-based activity.
Best Features: Multi-sport smartwatch + full-featured dive computer, solar power, GPS, wireless sync
Colors: Slate gray, white, aqua, black with accent straps
Why It Stands Out: Garmin is a top-tier brand for outdoor and athletic tech — perfect for active divers who want all-day wear, cross-functionality, and insane battery life.
Instructor Note:
I’ve been using the Garmin Descent G1 for over three years now, and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s an incredible dive computer and also a great everyday smartwatch — I genuinely love it.
That said, if you only dive once or twice a year, the Suunto Zoop Novo is a better fit. It’s reliable, affordable, and leaves you with more budget for your next dive trip.
Whatever computer you choose, always read the manual before using it and don’t hesitate to ask your dive guide for help — it’s a crucial part of safe diving.
