No, the goggles are passive. Meaning you don't have to use or even equip them. Basically, if you dive under water while swimming around looking for loot, you'll see more loot spawn points. I tried it myself and it does actually work.

Edit - Upon further testing, I actually don't think there is any difference. Regardless, I always assumed the goggles just worked passively by increasing loot spawn rate (and not having to go under water to make them work), and I thought that I was seeing more spawn points since I got the goggles, but it could very well be a "placebo effect" of sorts. I would like more clarification on exactly how these goggles work. Dusty?