DJ Steve Aoki dives in this Cressi mask
6-7-2026
Translation: Katherine Martin
The Cressi Hiroquest by Steve Aoki diving mask piqued my curiosity with its colours and unusual collaboration story. Can it win me over under the water too?
DJ feat. diving mask? When I hear about collaborations like this, I’m usually sceptical. And when I came across the Cressi Hiroquest by Steve Aoki snorkel kit, that scepticism was alive and well. The thing is, Steve Aoki isn’t just a music producer. He’s also an avid scuba and freediver, a passion that’s driven him to explore underwater caves in Mallorca with freediving legend Alexey Molchanov.
For Aoki, scuba diving provides a meditative counterbalance to the high-energy beats of his music. «It’s fun and kind of scary,» he wrote in a blog post for Aoki Labs.
Why the mask appeals to me
As someone who loves being underwater, I’ve accumulated quite the collection of diving masks over the years, including the Cressi Nano and the Action, complete with an action-cam mount for POV footage.
The Cressi Hiroquest has the same features as the Cressi F-Dual. What interests me about this mask is the fact it has a wide field of view, despite its small volume. The Hiroquest boasts UV-protected glass too – but more on that later. I also like the Steve Aoki Cressi mask’s black-and-lilac colour combo.
Fit for the job
The mask has a single, continuous lens made of tempered glass, positioned close to your face. This reduces the mask’s volume, allowing pressure equalisation to be achieved with even a small amount of air. When I’m taking photos underwater, I also appreciate the mask’s largely unobstructed view.
Both silicone skirts create a good seal and fit the shape of my face. No water managed to get into my mask during my snorkelling sessions in the Atlantic Ocean and in Swiss lakes. It was easy to adjust using the side straps, and it didn’t dig into my face.
The mask comes in two different versions. One has a Spectra lens offering UV protection, designed to block 60 per cent of UV radiation and reduce glare. The other has UV-380-coated glass, designed to filter out 80 per cent of UV light and provide clear, high-contrast vision and improved colour definition underwater.
I tested the first version. It puts my mind at ease to know that my eyes are better protected from UV rays with surface-treated lenses than with regular lenses. When I was underwater, however, it didn’t seem noticeably different to an uncoated lens. This is bound to be because conditions vary between dives, causing visibility to change too. If you’re snorkelling in the clear waters off Madeira, you’ll be able to see better than in Lake Hallwil – not even the best lenses can change that.
The Steve Aoki diving mask’s coating is what sets it apart from the F-Dual and Supernova Dry Snorkel Combo, which you’ll also find on Galaxus. Well, that, plus the colour and the Hiroquest collectible card included with the Steve Aoki kit. Whether that’s a deciding factor for you will depend on how much you’re into Steve and the Hiroquest universe, and how important you consider UV protection for your eyes.
The snorkel
One feature I appreciate on the snorkel is the purge valve at the bottom. If water gets into the tube, a strong puff of air is enough to quickly blow it out again. In theory, I’d manage without a valve, but doing so would be more of a slog.
The snorkel has a splash guard at the top, which is handy if some small waves kick up. It also has a mechanism that prevents water from getting in, virtually making it a dry snorkel. Now, here’s where it gets controversial. While some people love this type of snorkel because it stops you from accidentally swallowing water, others criticise the mechanism for increasing inhalation resistance and making breathing more difficult overall. If it jams or malfunctions, you might also run low on air.
I find the snorkel comfortable to use and appreciate that it stops water from getting in. That being said, I don’t have any issue with blowing air through the valve to clear the tube in the event that water does make it inside. Personally, I prefer wet snorkels, but if you prefer the dry kind, this one might be up your street.
In a nutshell
Decent mask and snorkel kit with useful features
I find it difficult to give star ratings to diving masks and snorkels. Most kits from well-known brands meet the requirements for a safe diving experience. Other than their fit and size, there are very few differences between models.
The thing that sets the Cressi Hiroquest apart from the rest is its UV-protective lens. Sure, it has a wide field of view despite its low volume, but you get the same thing with the F-Dual mask.
As for the mechanism that keeps water out of the tube, personal preference will dictate whether you’ll consider that an unnecessary extra or a snorkelling must-have. With this in mind, I’ve excluded that aspect from my final verdict.
All in all, I’d be happy to take this kit on any snorkelling trip.
Pro
- Low volume
- Wide field of view
- UV coating
- Double silicone skirt for a tight seal
- Snorkel includes a purge valve
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
