Scuba diving in Asia forum

If you want to buy a good mask (ie one that fits properly and doesn't leak or fog up) then try Planet Scuba in Bangkok. It's a specialist dive shop and easy to find, just a few steps away from the Phrom Pong skytrain stop. The staff there speak good English. Prices are about the same or a little higher than you'd pay in Europe but they stock top brand names like Mares. A good mask is more important than a fancy snorkel. If cost is an issue, get a decent mask and a basic snorkel. There are other dive shops in Bangkok (a quick google should find the locations) but I haven't tried them.

Large department stores with a sports section often sell masks and snorkels too but the staff are less likely to be able to give expert advice if you can't make up your mind which model to buy. The Emporium department store (also next to Phrom Pong BTS) sells them too so you could compare prices easily enough.

There are specialist dive shops on Ko Tao too but everything tends to cost more on the islands so I suspect it'll be more expensive to buy there than in Bangkok.

Sometimes big supermarkets sell cheap mask and snorkel kits, but usually packaged in such a way as to be impossible to try on for fit. (Not recommended, you really need to try on a mask before buying)

In seaside areas most guesthouses rent out masks and snorkels by the day and they're usually included in the ticket price of snorkeling boat trips. However the material provided by guesthouses and tour boats is often old and worn out and hiring equipment by day becomes pretty expensive if you do a lot of snorkeling. It's best to have your own snorkeling gear unless you'll only be using it a few times.

Well yes SBE, it is a bit late but better late than never and with 1700 views i'm sure someone will have good use of the information. And just for the sake of it, i did get things sorted..

Happy trails...