Updated November 2026 · free, works in your browser
How the numbers are worked out
Clothing sets = trip days, capped at 7 (you can wash clothes mid-trip). Medication days = trip days + 3 spare days for delays. Items are filtered by water type, gear choice and location.
A good scuba diving packing list depends on three things: whether you are diving in warm or cold water, whether you bring your own equipment or rent the big items, and how remote the destination is. The checklist above adjusts to those choices, so you only see what applies to your trip, and you can tick items off as you pack.
How to use the checklist
- Choose tropical or cold water. This swaps a thin wetsuit and sun protection for thick exposure protection, hood, gloves and warm layers.
- Choose whether you bring your own dive gear or rent the big items such as the regulator, BCD and fins.
- Pick resort or remote. Remote trips add spare parts, a first aid kit, water treatment, cash and offline navigation.
- Enter your trip length in days to see how many clothing sets and how many days of medication to carry.
- Tick items as you pack them, then print the list or copy a link so you can reopen the same setup later.
How the list is built
Every item has three tags: water type, gear choice and location. An item appears when all three tags match your selections, and the total is simply the number of visible items. Two figures use a short formula:
- Clothing sets = trip days, capped at 7, on the assumption that you can wash clothes during a longer trip.
- Medication days = trip days + 3, a common precaution that covers delays on the way home.
The item selection reflects common recreational diving practice and general air travel rules, not a rule from any single agency or operator. Always confirm requirements with your own dive operator.
What changes with water type
| Area | Tropical | Cold water |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure protection | 3 mm wetsuit or shorty, rash guard | 7 mm wetsuit or drysuit, thermal base layer |
| Extremities | Neoprene boots | Hood, gloves and boots |
| Surface interval | Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen | Warm jacket, beanie, hot drink flask, changing robe |
| Everyday clothes | Light clothing, flip-flops | Warm layers, waterproof jacket |
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a dive knife or line cutter on a plane?
Knives and sharp cutters generally cannot go in cabin baggage. Pack them in checked luggage and check your airline's rules for the countries you travel through.
Do I carry my dive computer and power bank in the cabin?
Spare lithium batteries and power banks are usually required to travel in carry-on baggage, not in the hold. Dive computers and cameras are also safer in your cabin bag because they are fragile and valuable.
Should I rent or bring my own gear?
Many divers bring the personal items that affect fit and comfort, such as a mask, snorkel, computer and exposure protection, and rent the heavy items. Renting reduces baggage weight, but ask the operator about sizes, tank valve type and equipment condition before you arrive.
How long should I wait before flying after diving?
Dive training agencies and DAN guidance commonly suggest at least 12 hours after a single no-decompression dive and 18 hours after multiple dives or several days of diving. Follow the guidance from your own training agency and plan the last dive day accordingly.
What extra items matter on a remote trip?
Spare O-rings, mask and fin straps, a first aid kit, water treatment, small-denomination cash and offline maps matter most, because replacements may be hours or days away.
Planning the rest of the trip
Once your bag is sorted, the next step is usually where you will sleep. Choosing accommodation close to the dive operator or the boat departure point saves early-morning transfers, and a place with a rinse area, a spot to dry wetsuits and a secure storage space for equipment makes a dive week much easier. Check check-in times against your flight and your first dive, and note the nearest hotel options in case a delay forces an extra night.
Other tools
- Nitrox MOD CalculatorFind the maximum operating depth in metres and feet for any nitrox mix and PO2 limit.
- SAC Rate CalculatorTurn tank size, pressure used, dive time and average depth into your SAC and RMV in litres or cubic feet per minute.
- Tank Air Duration CalculatorEstimate how many minutes a cylinder will last at a given depth from tank size, pressure, reserve and your air consumption.