What is the purpose of a dive logbook?

A dive logbook is your personal record of dives. It tracks where and when you dove, your depth and bottom time, and the conditions you experienced. Many divers also note their gas mix, exposure suit, weighting, and anything they learned or want to remember for next time. Logging helps you spot patterns, fine-tune your weighting, and improve comfort and efficiency as you gain experience.

Almost no one asks for a physical logbook anymore. Most divers and dive shops have moved to digital records. Modern dive computers automatically log depth, time, and gas data, and many sync directly to mobile apps where you can add notes, photos, and dive site maps. Even so, keeping a digital log is still valuable. It shows your dive history, helps verify experience if needed for advanced training, and gives you a personal record of how you’ve grown as a diver.

I log every dive I make, even if the computer already stores the data. Writing or typing a few notes helps me remember how I felt, what worked, and what I might change next time.

Core Diving Skills

Build a solid foundation with core skills: gear setup, hand signals, buoyancy, trim, descents, safety stops, mask clearing, free flow response, and sharing air.

How to Log Your Dives: What, Why, and Best Practices

Learn how and why to log your dives, what to include, and best practices using digital apps or spreadsheets—no paper logbook required.