Imagine you’re booking a Molokini snorkel trip for two people who wear glasses. Both of you ask for an optical mask. Suppose the crew can set aside one mask in the size and lens configuration you requested. If you want to snorkel together, you still have a decision to make about the second mask.
What the boat carries
Trilogy’s FAQ says it carries optical masks in a range of magnifications. It also allows guests to bring their own gear, but prohibits full-face masks. The FAQ is a good reason to ask about your sailing. It isn’t a reservation for either person’s mask.
For the couple in our example, the useful question is specific: “For the two of us on this boat, date and departure time, can you hold two optical masks? Here’s the size and lens configuration each of us needs. If you can hold only one, may we bring the other?”
When a separate rental makes sense
If the boat can hold both masks, ask when you can try them on. If it can hold only one, start with the person whose mask is still unconfirmed. Before renting anything, check that the boat accepts the mask you intend to bring.
Snorkel Bob’s weekly rental packages illustrate why size matters. The shop lists a narrower range of nearsighted lens powers for the child’s Li’l Mo Betta mask than for its adult Rx option. Ask the pickup shop about the specific mask you need and when you can try it on. A package listing doesn’t tell you what will be in that shop on your pickup day.
Work backward from boat check-in when arranging a separate mask rental.
Make the call before paying
For a separate rental, put two times side by side: when you can finish the fitting and when you have to check in at the boat. Leave time to get from one to the other. If that won’t work, ask about pickup the day before or look at a different sailing. Don’t count on sorting it out on the dock.
Use the Molokini boat guide or the Big Island snorkel tour comparison to pick the trip you’d like. For two people who want to swim together, book once you have a gear plan for both.
