Scuba Diving Vacation Packing List

Essentials

  • Passport
  • Visas (if required)
  • Photo ID
  • Photocopy of essential travel documents
  • Vaccination booklet with updated stamps
  • Plane tickets (printed and electronic)
  • Hotel booking confirmation
  • Car rental confirmation
  • Pre-paid dive vouchers
  • Money
  • Credit cards (1-2)
  • ATM or Debit Card
  • Prescription medications (bring a few extra in case of delays)
  • Glasses / Contacts (bring a spare pair in case of loss or breakage)

*Keep these in your carry-on.

Must-have to dive

  • Certification and specialty cards (nitrox, deep, night, wreck)
  • Medical release (if needed)
  • Dan or another dive insurance card
  • Pre-filled waivers (to save time)
  • Dive computer
  • Logbook (not essential but fun to note down what you saw during your dives)
  • Prescription mask

*Pack these in your carry-on.

Dive gear

  • BCD
  • Regulator, gauge, octo
  • Exposure suit (appropriate for your destination)
  • Fins
  • Dive boots
  • Spare mask (a must if you need a prescription mask)
  • Snorkel
  • Defog
  • Dive gloves (if permitted)
  • DRYFOB waterproof car key container
  • Safety sausage and reel
  • Security devices (whistle, mirrors)
  • Nautilus GPS Beacon (optional, but a good idea and be sure to program it for your location)
  • Dive lights, batteries and chargers
  • Dive knife (if allowed)
  • Gear bag
  • Dry bag
  • Save-a-dive kit
  • Hangers (optional)

Dive camera and accessories

  • Camera and housing
  • Strobe and lights
  • Batteries and chargers (place lithium batteries in carry-on)
  • Extra memory cards
  • Spare O-rings and silicone lube
  • Underwater housing for iPhone

See our post: Protecting Expensive and Fragile Equipment While Traveling

Electronics

  • Phone and charger
  • Laptop or iPad (to download your photos)
  • Power adapter (when necessary/ check voltage)
  • Power strip (to charge all your devices)

Clothing

  • Swimsuits and cover-ups
  • Rash guards
  • Shirts / T-Shirts / Tops
  • Pants / Shorts
  • Skirts / Dresses
  • Pajama
  • Underwear / Bras
  • Socks
  • Flip flops
  • Sandals or sneakers
  • Lightweight fleece or hoody

Personal care

  • Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, etc.)
  • Lip balm with sunscreen
  • Dental night guard
  • Reef safe shampoo and conditioner
  • Brush or comb
  • Razor / Shaver
  • Reef safe sunscreen (broad spectrum, SPF 15 or higher)
  • After sun gel or lotion
  • Insect repellent (TSA approved size and pack in carry-on)
  • Anti-bacterial gel or wipes
  • Extra face masks
  • Facial tissue (3-4 small packs)
  • Nail file / Clippers
  • Make-up (optional)
  • Hairdryer (optional)
  • Flat iron (optional)

Emergency First Aid Kit

  • Motion sickness medication (Dramamine, Gravol)
  • Swimmer’s ear drops
  • Eye drops
  • Antibiotic ointment (Polysporin, Neosporin)
  • Cortisone cream
  • Band-Aids (regular and waterproof)
  • Anti-itch cream for insect bites (After Bite, Benadryl)
  • Pain relievers (Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin)
  • Antihistamine (Benadryl, Claritin)
  • Antacid tablets (Tums, Rolaids, Pepto-Bismol)
  • Anti-diarrhea medication (Imodium, Pepto-Bismol)
  • Moleskin
  • Surgical gloves and masks
  • Cold medicine
  • Tweezers
  • Manicure size scissors (only in checked luggage)

*Fit everything in a small pouch and bring only enough for immediate usage. If more is needed, most of these items can be found at local pharmacies.

Other items

  • Sunhat
  • Sunglasses
  • UV buff
  • Arm sleeves UV sun protection
  • Microfiber towel
  • Beach bag (optional, but can also double up as a daypack)
  • Raincoat / Umbrella
  • Reading material
  • Fish identification book

Download your printable Scuba Diving Vacation Packing List


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