It’s okay to scuba dive with a beard, I’ve taught numerous students with beards, and they’ve gotten along just fine.
But there are some things that bearded divers should know before taking up scuba diving. Your facial hair could present potential issues and discomfort if you don’t get it right.
Read on to find out how to prevent ruining your day of diving or encountering “hairy” moments (sorry, I couldn’t resist).
Table of Contents
Can You Scuba Dive with a Beard?
There are lots of bearded men in the world of diving that have no issues, but there are things that you should take into consideration.
Beards can become irritating underwater, lifting your mask seal and leaking water. This shouldn’t put you off scuba diving; you don’t need to be hasty and shave off your beard.
Potential Issues for Scuba Divers with Beards
Let’s look at some of the potential annoyances for bearded divers.
Water Leaking – the main issue when diving with a beard is that your facial hair can interfere with your mask fit and subsequently allow water into your mask.
Frizzing Your Beard – although not dire, you could end up with a wild beard from the salt water. That’s why taking care of your beard beforehand could pay dividends.
Seal Damage – it’s rare, but occasionally, you can damage the soft silicon seal around your mask, leading to further leakage.
Are There Divers with Beards?
You won’t be the first scuba diver with a beard, and you won’t be the last; trendy beards, unruly facial hair and rugged moustaches have been stars of the diving scene for some time.
You can rest assured that more experienced divers than yourself have reached the greatest depths without being held back by their facial hair.
FAQs
You can scuba dive with full beards, moustaches, stubble, and dreaded beards, whatever the style; you can dive with it. But choosing a mask can be uncomfortable if you don’t get the right fit.
Use my tips on this page to give yourself the best chance of an enjoyable dive excursion and ensure you have fitted your mask properly and that you opt for a reliable mask skirt.
A moustache is often the corporate regarding water leaking into your mask because it touches and pushes up the mask skirt, essentially rendering the mask seal useless. Despite this, you can scuba dive with a moustache, but using something to grease below your nose and shave stray hairs below your mask is worth it.
Snorkeling is enjoyed by a diverse range of people, including those sporting impressive facial hair.
The same tips and techniques apply to your snorkel mask as they would to your scuba mask. Shave below your nose if you can, use vaseline or a balm, use silicone grease for the mask skit and choose the best possible scuba mask.
Tips for Bearded Divers
Following these tips will keep your mind at ease; here are some things you can do to ensure you’re comfortable diving with a beard.
Grease
Grease your bead near the sealant of the mask, do this before going in the water. It helps close the gap and stop water from seeping into your mask.
Many recommend petroleum-based grease, such as Vaseline and other lip balms. But this can shorten your mask’s life and harm the coral reef.
Instead, you can use natural products that do the same job or silicone grease on your mask. You can use alternative sealants with beeswax; this includes the likes of Burt’s Bees lip balm and other brands that are natural options to use as silicon grease.
Shave
Shaving your beard or moustache will eliminate the issue. If you’re clean-shaven, then you’re less likely to experience issues with your mask underwater, but why should you have to shave off your beard just to dive.
But maybe you could compromise?
If you shave and trim your beard down, it will also mean less chance of a leaky mask. Look out for stray hairs on your upper lip, interfering with the silicone skirt of your mask.
Depending on your cultivating style, you may be able to shave the upper lip right below your nose.
Perfect Fit
Buying the right mask is important.
Getting a well-fitted mask will protect you from leaks, although it’s not guaranteed to stop leaks for bearded divers, it is a step you should take.
Everybody should ensure a good fit, one that suits the shape of your face and takes into account your beard or mustache.
Check out out different mask options, many divers I have spoken to often bring low profile mask choices as the perfect mask – look for a soft silicone skirt and an easy-to-fit mask to wear.
Full Face Mask
Full face snorkel masks and full face masks can prevent water seeping into your mask whilst snorkelling or scuba diving.
It’s not something that you should have to do, as I often see men with beards of big moustaches using normal masks but the full face snorkel masks and diving full face masks are one way of combating any worries of your beard ruining a dive.
The positive pressure from the mask helps seal properly.
Better Seal
When picking a mask, you will want the ideal fit for you – you will take into account your beard and the shape of your face, but there’s more to picking masks.
Try them on and check for comfort, you will also want a better seal. Find masks that are sealed properly and always check their reviews as well as trying them on in a local dive shop.
Best Masks for Beards & Moustaches
You can read my reviews on the following masks, all recommended by industry experts for those with beards.
With that said, you must try them for yourself; here are scuba masks for divers with moustaches.
Hollis M1
Atomic Aquatics Venom
Tusa Visio Pro
Scubapro Solo
Summary
You can scuba dive with a beard or moustache, but there are occasions when this can allow water to seep into your mask.
Don’t let this put you off, find the best mask for you, ensure it fits properly and use any products that could help lubricate your beard and aid the mask seal.
