Costa Del Mar

For anglers, Costa is purpose-built, and that shows on the water. Every pair is polarized with 100% UV protection, and the 580 lens technology is engineered to cut glare off reflective surfaces like water. If your day revolves around spotting fish and weathering bright sun, this is exactly the use case Costa was designed for.

Both make excellent fully polarized lenses, so it often comes down to priorities. Costa is widely seen as the more fishing-focused choice, built around its 580 technology and marine-ready frames. Maui Jim casts a slightly wider net across everyday situations, but for time on the water Costa is squarely in its element.

The 580 lens is Costa's proprietary technology that enhances colour and contrast by filtering out harsh yellow light and harmful blue light. It comes in two formats: 580G in glass and 580P in polycarbonate. The result is sharper clarity, scratch resistance and reduced glare, which is why it is so prized by anglers.

Both are built on the same 580 technology, so the choice is about feel. 580G glass leans toward maximum optical clarity and scratch resistance, while 580P polycarbonate prioritises lightweight comfort. Think about whether you value crispness or all-day lightness most on the water.

Costa Del Mar is an American brand, founded in Daytona Beach, where it was based for decades. The name itself is Spanish for "coast of the sea," which suits its saltwater roots. Production has since moved to Luxottica's facility in California, but the brand's identity stays anchored to the water.

Costa Del Mar was founded in 1983 by Ray Ferguson in Daytona Beach. By 1986 it was official gear for the Stars & Stripes team in the America's Cup, and it quickly caught on with surfers and recreational fishermen for its sun-glare protection. That early water-sports credibility set the tone for everything since.

Costa is a wholly owned subsidiary of EssilorLuxottica. Essilor acquired the brand in 2013 for around $270 million, then merged with Luxottica in 2018 to form EssilorLuxottica, with Costa placed under the Luxottica division. So it now sits within one of the largest eyewear groups in the world.

The PRO Series is built for high-performance use in marine environments, with frame innovations like sweat-management channels, adjustable nose pads and improved grip. Costa has continued expanding the line with rugged frames and advanced lens technology aimed at professional anglers. It is the range to look at if you fish hard and need gear that stays put.

Costa runs several environmental initiatives, including its Untangled Collection, a partnership with Bureo that turns discarded fishing nets into the plastic used for frames. It also runs programs like Kick Plastic and Responsible Shipping, plus disaster-relief and ocean-conservation campaigns. For a brand rooted in the ocean, that focus fits its identity.

Genuine Costa sunglasses are always polarized with 100% UV protection, and the 580 lenses are engineered specifically to filter harsh yellow and harmful blue light for high contrast. The clarity, glare reduction and scratch resistance are the hallmarks the brand is known for. Buying through trusted retailers is the surest way to know you are getting the real lens technology.