Scuba Travel

After getting Scuba certified, one of the greatest things to do is plan a dive trip.  Dive trips are great because have the opportunity to travel and meet new people and see some fantastic marine life in new locations. Traveling for scuba diving vacation; however, will take a bit more packing than just a vacation to the beach. There will be more gear to include and equipment to take along that cannot be forgotten. These are ten of the most important pieces of equipment to make sure you have on your scuba diving vacation list.  Don’t Forget them!

1. Travel BCD

This is recommended as it will provide you all the feature of the traditional BCD but is much lighter. There are several good options on the market that offer you a fold-down model which is smaller and will save you room in packing.

2. Lightweight regulator and Octi

There are great travel regulators on the market that are lightweight and will maintain high quality. The braided hoses will help cut down on weight and make them more flexible to allow you to pack them easier than the traditional hoses.

3. Pressure and Depth Gauges

Your full sized gauge consoles can be heavy, adding weight to your luggage and bulky, taking up space for other items you need. When you travel with smaller pressure gauges you can save a lot of weight and space in your luggage.

4. Fins

Check the local retailer to purchase fins designed for traveling. There are fins specifically designed to fit into carry-on sized luggage.

5. Mask and Snorkel

Some equipment can be rented but having your own mask is a much better idea. You want a mask that fits properly and many rental masks will not give you that perfect fit you have with your own. This could ruin your whole trip and is not worth the risk. You should make sure you have your own personal mask with you.

6. Dive Computer

This is another piece of equipment you should not trust to rentals. You do not want a piece of equipment that you are unfamiliar with and end up guessing on alarms or settings.  Additionally, most dive computer now keep a history of your dive, so you don’t want to miss this.

7. Wetsuit

Leaving your wetsuit at home may take up a bit of space; however, the benefits of having your own suit that fits you comfortably will make your scuba diving experience more enjoyable.  Make sure to check the water temps and bring the appropriate wetsuit.

8 Underwater Camera

Don’t forget your gorpo or other underwater camera.  You will be making memories you will not want to forget.  It is also great fun to get to share videos of your best shots with friends and family when you get back home.  Along with this, do not forget your SD cards, batteries, underwater case, and any mounts that you may need.

9. Mesh Bag

Transporting your gear from where you are staying to the boat is much easier if you carry it in a mesh bag.

10. Surface Signaling Devices

The surface signaling device will help the boat captain find you if you decide to rest before your group is ready to.

Bonus: Don’t forget your passport if you are leaving the country!

Airlines have reduced what they allow passengers to take through weight and size requirements. You will have to consider these when deciding what scuba diving equipment you want to take along on your vacation. Having some of your personal equipment along; however, can have an impact on whether or not your trip is successful.  Knowing your own personal items work and knowing how to work them will make a big difference while scuba diving, and make your trip more enjoyable. Investing in having quality travel scuba equipment with you will make it worth your while even if it takes up some of your packing space.