Most of us go swimming so we can have a chance to swim with the marvellous sea life. And naturally, we want to do what we can to attract fish to us while we’re snorkelling and avoid keeping them away. For that reason, a question we get asked a lot here at Ninja Shark is, what colour do fish see the best? And it’s an interesting one at that!
In this article we’ll look at how colours change underwater according to how deep you are below the surface, which colours are most visible to fish, and which colours are most invisible to fish. You can then decide whether you want to call attention to yourself while snorkelling or stay incognito!
How do fish see underwater?
The basic principle you’ll need to understand here is that fish don’t have the same sense of sight that we do. Colours will almost always appear different underwater than in air, and when you add a fish to the mix, even more different. You may have read our article about how colour appears underwater.
Basically, as light moves through water it changes many of its characteristics. When light first hits water, it decreases in intensity and changes colour due to scattering and absorption. Scattering can kind of be described like the way smoke or fog dissipates in the air, except with light underwater. Absorption is just what it sounds like, with colours being absorbed depending on their wavelength and the depth of the water.
What colours do fish see the best?
We can’t really say what fish see exactly, as no scientist has ever been able to communicate with one to find out, but we sure can guess. The basic conclusion is that certain fish will be attracted to certain colours depending on the type of fish, time of day, transparency of water, weather, and maybe even time of year.
That said, we’ve got the following suggestions for those of you who really want to attract the fishies:
- Red – If you’re diving up to 6 metres, red will be visible to fish, but will quickly lose its vibrancy if you go any deeper. If you want to stay incognito, go for red on your deep dives.
- Orange – Next to disappear is orange, fading from view after around 12 metres. Another good option for those who want to remain in the dark.
- Yellow – After roughly 15-22 metres, yellow will begin to disappear from a typical fish’s eyesight.
- Blue/Green – These two colours will remain visible to a fish for as long as light is able to penetrate the water. As a snorkeller you’re unlikely to go that deep, so if you want to make sure the fish are able to see you then go for blues and greens!
Colour combos that attract fish
Many fishermen use lures with a combination of two colours that tends to be successful in luring fish. If you want to try do the same, go for these colour combinations:
- Green and yellow,
- Black and purple,
- Blue and white,
- Black and gold.
Of course, these colours typically exist to mimic the colours of a fish, so it may not work when you’re human-sized. That said, if you’re that set on attracting fish then go all out on your snorkelling outfit!
How many people dream of snorkelling but don't feel comfortable wearing a snorkel mask?
The answer is: too many! Traditional snorkel masks can be uncomfortable and scary for many people, so the beauty of snorkelling goes undiscovered and unexperienced. Whether it's breathing difficulties, choking on sea water, or foggy goggles, there's a lot that prevents people from enjoying the wonderful sport of snorkelling. And that thought makes us sad.
We think everyone should be able to enjoy the underwater world - safely, comfortably, and easily. That's why we created Ninja Shark and our revolutionary line of full face snorkel masks. They're designed to be super comfy, easy-to-use, and make snorkelling accessible for all. Because nobody should miss out on discovering what's under the sea.
The Influencer @lud.around is a NINJASHARK lover!
NINJASHARK is the sound of a revolution in snorkeling. Whereas other water equipments companies are constantly adding poor quality products, we listen to your feedback and constantly improve our products to fit for all of your needs.
While other water equipments companies offer just a way to look under the water, NINJASHARK wants to create an amazing experience for water enthusiasts. That's why we listen to your feedbacks and we develop products based on them.
"I'm not leaving my room without the mask. The full face snorkeling mask from Australia is comfortable and fit me perfectly! Love how easy it is to breath out your nose and mouth when you snorkeling and even has earplugs!"
“The mask include GOPRO mounts, so you can easily film and photograph underwater scenery! I highly recommend especially to people who have a fear of snorkeling! This mask is really easy to use and is safe!” said @lud.around. “I can’t wait for my next trip with my new mask!”
The Ninja Shark full face snorkel masks makes your experiences the best they can be. They are exclusively sold on the Ninja Shark website.
The Ninja Shark full face snorkel masks comes equipped with advanced Anti-Fog technology, automatic drainage, no CO2 Buildup with improved uni-directional valves, and a revolutionary breathe flow system so you can breathe through both your nose and mouth.
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“If you thought we’re just here to sell you products, think again. You’re part of the Ninja Shark family, and your feedback matters! We’re constantly working to improve our products and deliver the full face snorkel mask that exists only in our dreams!”
What customers are saying about us…
“Awesome set.
Loved the complete set. I even used the waterproof phone pouch to take photos and videos underwater. It made my Fiji experience so much better than using the free snorkel set that hurt your face after 2hours and leaving a sun/mask mark. The ninja leaves no marks and gives great vision under water in comparison. It did take some getting used to but it definitely paid off! Only frustration is that the tightening straps are quite basic; they should be much simpler to loosen and tighten both in and out of water.” – Jock
Try our line of snorkelling and swimming gear
by Ninja Shark! You’ll love it.
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All Ninja Shark Products are tailor-made
with medical silicone.
We care about making our products safe and healthy for you—and our planet.
That’s why the Ninja Shark Full Face Snorkelling Masks are made from a non-toxic and environmentally friendly anti-allergic medical grade silicone, that’s not only safer for your kids but safer for you too.
