What to Pack for a Dive Trip

Packing for a dive trip can be stressful—even experienced divers forget things. This guide walks you through what to bring (and what to leave behind), how to stay organized, and why your dive cart might be more important than you think.

If you need a quick reference, we’re also building downloadable checklists to make trip prep easier.

Download: Travel Packing Checklists (Coming Soon)

• Warm Water Travel Checklist
• Cold Water Travel Checklist

Build from a Master Gear List

Don’t start from scratch for every trip. I maintain a published gear list with all the equipment I use—including cold water, warm water, and surface support gear.

Before packing...I :

• Review my master list
• Cross off what I won’t need (e.g. drysuit gear for a tropical trip)
• Highlight anything I still need to prep, clean, or pack

Tip: Print or duplicate your list before each trip—it’s a great base for travel checklists, and you’ll rarely forget anything important.

What I Bring on Every Trip

I try to bring everything except weights and tanks—even on airline travel. That includes:

• Mask (proper fit matters)
• Dive computer (personal profiles and alarms)
• Regulator set (reliable and familiar)
• Exposure protection (full wetsuit or drysuit with layers)
• Backplate + wing (more comfortable and better trim than rental BCs)
• SMB + spool (essential safety gear)
• Spare kit (o-rings, mouthpiece, bolt snaps)

When you rely on your own gear, you know how everything works—and what to expect underwater.

Packing Tips and Bag Preferences

No mesh bags. I personally dislike them—they’re flimsy, lack structure, and wear out fast.

I use Stahlsac bags for both travel and local diving. They’re pricier but have held up better than anything else I’ve tried.

Use padding where it counts: Wrap your reg in clothes or use a reg bag. Store your mask in a hard case if you can.

Dry your gear completely before flying home to prevent mildew and corrosion.

Saltwater and moisture add weight fast. If your gear isn’t dry, you could easily be adding several pounds to your luggage on the return flight.

The bag you use matters—see our Dive Bag Buying Guide for suggestions.

Don’t Forget the Little Stuff

• Ear drops or personal medical kit
• Charging cables for your dive computer
• Certification cards (printed or digital)
• Rehydration packets or electrolyte drinks
• Small dry bag or waterproof pouch

And for local dives—don’t forget your dive cart. I once left mine behind for a cold-water shore dive and instantly regretted it.

Print vs. Digital Packing Lists

I still prefer paper checklists—they’re faster to mark, easier to review, and don’t rely on your phone battery. That said, I’m experimenting with a digital version for gear tracking and weight estimates. Try both and see what works best for you.

Tips for Packing Wet Gear After the Final Dive

• Bring a dry bag liner or large trash bag to separate damp gear inside your main dive bag
• Use a small towel to wrap gear that’s still a bit wet
• Leave room in your return bag for bulkier, less compressible damp items
• Open your bag and air out gear as soon as you get home to prevent mold or odor