Scuba Diving Packing List
This list builds itself based on your Dive Trip.
Free, nothing to download, and it saves in your browser so it's there when you come back.
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Dive gear
0 of 18Mask
Carry it on. A cracked skirt or a lost mask on day one costs you the trip, and a rental that doesn't fit your face will flood all week.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Backup mask
Just in case your primary is lost, breaks, or otherwise isn't usable.
Snorkel
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Fins
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Booties
Wear them through the airport if you're tight on weight.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
BCD or backplate and wing
Checked or carry-on, whichever you can fit it in. Usually the heaviest single item in the bag. If you're shopping, a backplate setup or a travel-specific BCD runs several pounds lighter than a standard jacket.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Regulator with gauges
Carry it on. TSA allows it, it's one of the most expensive pieces of gear you own, and baggage handlers are not gentle.
Dive computer
Carry-on. Trip-ending if it's lost and expensive to replace on the road. Charge it before you leave.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Cutting device
Checked bag only. Knives and fixed-blade line cutters are prohibited in carry-on and TSA will take it off you.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Compass
Skip it if it's already on your console.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Dive light
Pack the light head checked and the batteries in your carry-on. Worth having even on day dives for looking into crevices and bringing colour back at depth.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Tank marker light
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Surface marker buoy (DSMB)
Bring it even if nobody plans to drift. It's what makes you visible to a boat when you surface somewhere the crew isn't looking, and boat traffic is the part of a dive you have the least control over. Practice deploying it before the trip, not during it.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Reel or spool
Pointless without the DSMB, so pack them together.
Slate and pencil
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Whistle or surface signal
Weighs nothing and works when your voice doesn't.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Mesh gear bag
For wet gear at the dive site.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Reef-safe defog
Reef-safe defog, and check the rules where you're going. One thing worth knowing: a brand new mask will fog no matter what you put on it until you scrub the manufacturing film off the inside of the lens. Do that at home, not on the boat.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Exposure protection
0 of 3Swimsuit
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Rash guard
Sun protection on the boat, and a layer under a wetsuit that makes the suit easier to get into.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
3mm wetsuit or shorty
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Save-a-dive kit
0 of 12A travel kit is smaller than your home one on purpose. Pack the failures you can't buy at a remote resort and skip the rest. If you're going with a group, one person carrying a full kit beats six people each carrying a third of one.
O-ring kit
A blown tank o-ring is a five-second fix if you have one and a lost dive if you don't.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Spare mask strap
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Fin straps and buckles
Match them to your fins before you leave. A generic strap won't fit every buckle.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Spare mouthpiece
Two zip ties, about 5 minutes, and you can save your trip from a torn mouthpiece.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Zip ties
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Duct tape
Wrap a few feet around a pencil instead of packing the roll.
Hex / Allen key set
Checked bag. Small tools read as tools to a scanner. A folding set takes less room than loose keys and you won't lose the 3mm.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Multi-tool
Checked bag if it has a blade, and most do. A bladeless one flies in your carry-on, which is worth knowing if you'd rather have it with you than in the hold.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Silicone grease
For o-rings and drysuit zips. A tube lasts years, so buy the small one.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Spare bolt snaps
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Snorkel keeper
Batteries
Dry cells (AA, AAA, button) can go in either bag. Lithium spares and power banks are carry-on only. They are banned from checked luggage under FAA rules, and that's the one that gets a bag pulled at the gate.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Documents and safety
0 of 9Certification cards
Take a photo on your phone as a backup, but bring the physical card. Some operators still want to see it.
Log book
Some operators ask for proof of recent dives or a logged count before they'll take you on the deeper sites.
DAN membership
Membership covers the part nobody plans for: emergency evacuation and chamber treatment. Bring the card, and know your DAN emergency number before you get on the boat.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Dive travel insurance
Regular travel insurance usually doesn't cover diving, and the exclusions are easy to miss. Read the policy for a scuba exclusion before you go, not after.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Passport
Dive medical form
Ask the operator whether they need one signed.
Nearest decompression chamber and emergency numbers
Look it up before you leave and write it down. Your phone may have no signal on the boat.
Trip itinerary
Cash, local currency
Tips, park fees and marine park levies are often cash only.
Boat and surface
0 of 11Reef-safe sunscreen
Legally required in Hawaii, Palau, Bonaire, Key West, the US Virgin Islands and Quintana Roo. Maui goes further and needs a prescription for anything that isn't mineral. Worth checking your destination, because the list keeps growing.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Lip balm with SPF
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Floating ones if you're on a boat.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Quick-dry towel
Cotton never dries on a boat.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Reusable water bottle
Dehydration is a DCS risk factor and it sneaks up on you between dives.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Seasickness remedy
Talk to your doctor before you take anything. I'm not one. Over the counter, people use Dramamine, Bonine or ginger chews; by prescription there are scopolamine patches that go behind your ear. What matters for diving is that some of these make you drowsy, and drowsy is not how you want to enter the water. Try it at home first so you know how it hits you, and start it the night before rather than when you already feel it.
Ear drying drops
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Warm layer for the surface
Even in the tropics you get cold after three dives.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Dry bag
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Snacks
First aid
0 of 15Adhesive bandages
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Antibiotic ointment
Small reef cuts get infected fast in warm water. Clean them the same day.
Vinegar
Carried for jellyfish stings, though the guidance varies by species and region, so follow what the local operator tells you. Freshwater is the one thing to avoid. It makes most stings fire off harder.
Sterile saline
For flushing a cut or an eye.
Nitrile gloves
CPR barrier
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Tweezers
Elastic bandage
Pain reliever
Antihistamine
Antacid
Anti-diarrhoeal
Hot and cold packs
First aid guide
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Prescription medications
Carry-on, in the original labelled bottle.
Clothing
0 of 8T-shirts
Shorts or pants
Underwear
Socks
Quick-dry sun shirt
Shoes or sandals
Light jacket
Something for dinner out
Toiletries
0 of 9Toothbrush and toothpaste
Reef-safe shampoo and conditioner
Soap
Deodorant
Moisturiser
Hand sanitiser
Nail clippers
Shaving kit
Feminine hygiene
Electronics and misc
0 of 9Luggage scale
Weigh the bag at home. Every weight on this page is a rough estimate, and the fee at the check-in counter is not.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Vacuum bags
The single most effective packing tool for divers. Wetsuits, undergarments and towels compress dramatically, and the roll-out kind needs no vacuum cleaner.
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Phone and charger
International power adapter
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Spare glasses or contacts
Travel alarm clock
A few examples
A few examples that work. These are affiliate links, so I earn a small commission at no cost to you. They're examples of what to look for, not the only right answer.
Insect repellent
Equipment manuals
Book or e-reader
Emergency contacts
Saved on this device only. Never included in a shared link.
Common questions about packing for a dive trip
What do I need to pack for a scuba diving trip?
Mask, fins, regulator, dive computer, exposure suit and a save-a-dive kit are the core. Leave tanks and weights at home, since every operator supplies them. What changes the rest of the list is water temperature, whether you are on a liveaboard or at a resort, and whether you are shooting photos.
Can you bring a dive knife on a plane?
Only in checked baggage. Dive knives, line cutters and any fixed blade are prohibited in carry-on, and TSA will take one off you at the checkpoint. Pack it in the bag you check, along with your multi-tool and hex keys if they carry blades.
Can dive light batteries go in checked baggage?
Spare lithium batteries and power banks are carry-on only. FAA rules ban them from checked luggage, and that is the single most common reason a diver's bag gets pulled at the gate. Dry cells such as AA and AAA can travel in either bag. Pack the light head checked and carry the batteries.
Do I need to bring my own tank and weights?
No. Tanks and weights are supplied everywhere you will dive, and airlines charge roughly 100 to 150 dollars per tank each way if you try. What is worth recording is how much weight you used with which exposure suit, so you are not guessing on the first dive of the next trip.
How much does scuba gear weigh for luggage?
A recreational set runs roughly 30 to 45 pounds without tanks or weights, against a typical 50 pound checked allowance. The BCD is usually the heaviest single item. Vacuum bags for the suit save the most space, and anything you wear through the airport is not weighed.
What should I pack for a liveaboard that is different from a resort?
Fewer clothes, a soft-sided bag because there is nowhere to store a hard case, earplugs because the engines run all night, an eye mask, and quick-dry towels rather than cotton. Bring a seasickness remedy you have already tried at home, and a power strip for the single cabin outlet.
Is reef-safe sunscreen actually required anywhere?
Yes. Chemical sunscreen is banned in Hawaii, Palau, Bonaire, Key West, the US Virgin Islands and Quintana Roo, and Maui goes further by requiring a prescription for anything that is not mineral. The list keeps growing, so check your destination before you pack.
Nothing on this page is medical advice. Talk to your doctor before taking anything. Dive within your training and your limits.
A shared link can be read by anyone who has it. Your emergency contacts are never included in one.
Circle H Scuba · Thomas Hughes, PADI IDC Staff Instructor
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