Welcome to the Travel Forums

Why join TravelBlog?

Membership is Free and Easy
Your travel questions answered in minutes!
Become part of the friendliest online travel community.

Join Now! Join TravelBlog* today and meet thousands of friendly travelers. Don't wait! Join today and make your adventures even more enjoyable.

* Blogging is not required to participate in the forums

Packing for Scuba Diving

How do you take all of your equipment, and pack it properly while trying to travel as light as possible? Tips?

15 years ago, September 11th 2008 No: 1 Msg: #48513 Delete Edit

little d11
Sara

B Posts: 22

Hey All,
Soon I'm heading off to Mexico do do a working vacation, it mainly involves scuba diving. I want to just take one big backpack/rucksack but I'm concerned about the amount of space that my wet suite will take up.
I really want to take down my own suite, mask, and snorkel. (I don't have my own BCD and reg. yet)... I considered putting my suit in my compression bag to help save some room in my pack, but I'm concerned that it will damage my suite...
Any suggestions?
Anyone else have scuba packing problems? Reply to this

15 years ago, September 12th 2008 No: 2 Msg: #48526 Delete Edit

Maisondubonheur
Pierre-Alexandre

B Posts: 1,583

Hi Kelsey,

We all have that little problem, and this is the only reason why I don't have a BCD and reg....Have you look at some of the bags on offer by diving gear companies? I've got one for the last 15 months, it has already gone few time around the world and is bloody solid...

I do keep my mask in my carry-on lugguage, don't want any bad suprise with that one.

For the wet suit, it also depend how warm/cold is the water....and a shorty is way lighter than a full 7mm...I know that for a fact! Not really sure why a compression bag would damage a wet suit, as on top of it, it won't be there for days!

Are you going to Cozumel...one of my best friend just did some Cenote diving, quite an experience. My next diving is in 2 weeks...can't wait...but the last one was just a month ago thought!

I've seen you'd love diving Galapagos, I did it in February, was AMAZING, you can read my little blog on it, the best part is the small video attach to it.

Can't wait to get back to the water!

Have fun!

Peter Reply to this

15 years ago, September 12th 2008 No: 3 Msg: #48579 Delete Edit

little d11
Sara

B Posts: 22

Thanks for the tips Peter,
Oddly I would have never though about keeping my mask in my carry on, although I have a solid case for my mask, so I think it might come down to how much space I have in everything once packing is done.

And I am going to Cozumel, I was certified down there a few years ago now, but I was never able to do any Cenote diving because of bad timing and flights. However this trip, I plan on being underwater as much as possible. I'm actually doing some work down there for a a conservation company on the reefs down current of Cancun, and it sounds like because of the conservation work I will be doing I'll be able to go into some dive sites that the public cant access. I'm really excited for that.

Your Galapagos pictures are amazing! I cant wait till I get the time and funding to go there! 😊

thanks again
-Kelsey Reply to this

15 years ago, September 20th 2008 No: 4 Msg: #49311 Delete Edit

Pkdeboer1973
Paul de Boer

N Posts: 7

Hi, nice topic.
I am about to travel for a year from mexico southwards to Bolivia, starting next month.
I know that Cressi sub produce a special traveller BCD called the "Flex": http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CSBBF.html , that would be a nice BCD to have.
But my fins are way to big to carry along for a year. Is it easier to bring the scuba boots with fins which you can strap behind the heel of the boots, or the "swimming pool fins" which do not require separate scuba boots?
Still I do not know if I will bring any scuba gear apart from a mask and snorkel.
Nice pictures Peter (Galapagos and the other places you visited); is it possible to rent the gear for the Galapagos cruise, or is it mandatory to take your own equipment with you? Is is possible to take a last minute liveaboard, or is it fully booked months in advance for Galapagos?
Reply to this

15 years ago, September 21st 2008 No: 5 Msg: #49326 Delete Edit

Ali
Ali Watters

B Posts: 5,200

Nice topic 😊 - and timely too - I'm sitting in KL low cost carrier airport about to go to Bali - and I've just spent the last day getting my luggage down to one 15kg (33lbs) check in bag and hand luggage - and this includes full scuba equipment.

Those Air Asia scales don't lie - and I managed to get it down to 16.5kg!

So tips;

Use a light weight traditional back pack - those specialist dive bags weight 7-10kgs empty!!

Heavy things in hand luggage - regulators, mask, cameras, laptops, lens, books.

Very few clothes - 1 warm set - that I'm wearing - everything else is t-shirts, boardies.

To get all the dive gear into a backpack - a 70 liter is needed - BCD in the main section - clothes, wet suit in the bottom section, fins strapped to the outside. Everything else has t go around the BCD. My dive bag is a mesh bag that I roll up and the put all my dive gear in after the flights.

Another tip is choose airlines that have generous baggage allowances - Malaysia Airlines were very good on my last flights - no excess for 14kg of dive gear (though my main bag was only 12kg)

Finally - pro underwater photographers - no chance - that equipment is so so heavy!

Have a great time and I hope my tips help some budget scuba divers some time 😊 Reply to this

15 years ago, September 22nd 2008 No: 6 Msg: #49393 Delete Edit

Maisondubonheur
Pierre-Alexandre

B Posts: 1,583

Thanks Paul for the comment. I did book my trip 8 months in advance for the liveaboard in the Galapagos. If you are "very" flexible, it can be a lot easier...but don't really expect a last minute deal! You can check with Peter Hughes or the Aggressor...but there seems to be only 50 divers a week who have access to Darwin's Arch and Wolf Island...per week!

They had all the equipment you need on the boat, and they have to have it as some people never see there bags at the airport!!! But hey, that was the most amazing dives I ever did!

When it comes to packing, I understand Ali point of view as he is a pro. For me, it's diving all around the world, nearly every month, but only a week at a time. So I always rent a BCD and reg. I know at the end of the day it will cost me more...but when you do Antartica and Galapagos...and Lake Tahoe skiing in the same month, I can't imagine carrying all this with me. Was the same all over Africa this month!

So I keep my dive computer and mask, and camera housing in my carry-on. The fins, wetsuit and boaties go in the bag.

Paul, if you only do few dives at a time, don't bother with the CBD...I know some people cannot do it with rentals, and in some places you'de better check twice what you rent, but it's way easier!

And when it come to photography...well, Ali is also a pro for this...my camera AND dive housing cost me a total of 350usd....I go on the cheap, like this, I know if it go south...I can replace it without too many tears, but at the same time, I know my pics won't be the best...that's ok, I don't run for anything, just full fun!

Next dive in less than a week! In paradise...and it will be a very emotional week for me, my son, 8 is doing his first steps of bubble maker...and my girlfriend will do her Padi...after this, 2 more diving trip in 2008...and the best dive year of my life will be over...till we reach the end of 2009!

Peter Reply to this

15 years ago, September 22nd 2008 No: 7 Msg: #49452 Delete Edit

Ali
Ali Watters

B Posts: 5,200

Peter - 8 years old - awesome - get them hooked when young 😉

Totally agree - it's a lot easier to pack without a BCD 😉 - Maybe this should be branched to another topic - but I would suggest that the most important equipment to buy in order is;

1) Mask (& snorkel)
2) Dive computer
3) Fins (& booties)
4) Regulator (I hate using other peoples regs now I have my own!)
5) BCD
6) Finally wetsuit - they vary with conditions so much that it's difficult to have one for every eventuality.

Anyone else have opinions? would you change that order? Reply to this

15 years ago, September 22nd 2008 No: 8 Msg: #49455 Delete Edit

Maisondubonheur
Pierre-Alexandre

B Posts: 1,583

Agree nearly 100% on your list..except the wet suit....do you really like those 3mm shorty where everybody pee in it...no serious!

Got my own 3mm shorty...that's easy to go with. Since Galapagos, got a proper 7mm...and will use it again in Oman around New Year to see the whales...and beside that, you are right, not going to buy a 5mm just for a single trip!

Some crazy point...only disadvantage with a rental CBD...I seem very good at leaving my own safety sausage behind me...and these things cost of fortune in most places for what it is...and doing some of the funny dives I do, rather get one with me every single dive!

Well, 8 years old...the only problem he has to wait 10 years old to do the PADI. We are moving to Bangkok next year...trust me, once he is 10...the PADI is part of his birthday present....and than I can bring him with me everywhere...

It's a gib advantage when they grow older, we now play golf together (he has play on 5 different continents), ski together, and raft together...I just need to be a little bit patient for him going on Class IV and V...the only disadvantage...he really cannot get it why he cannot start skydiving now! Crazy...but fun!

Are your back to work as a dive instructor in Malaysia?

Peter Reply to this

15 years ago, September 22nd 2008 No: 9 Msg: #49517 Delete Edit

little d11
Sara

B Posts: 22

I also agree with your list, I found that bringing along the personal things (things that need to fit YOU and sit on your skin) just make scuba more comfortable. Masks especially, nothing like being 50 feet under and realizing that the mask your borrowing leaks.
Ive found that you don't really need to bring your own BCD, I'm smaller then most of the scuba divers I know and I've never had a problem finding a BCD that fits me when I'm borrowing one from a scuba shop. That saves lots of room while packing. I've also discovered if you cant carry your of reg, you can bring along just your own mouth piece, and just switch it out. That way your now chewing on the same piece that Joe Smith was just chewing on.
but, on the same note I find that scuba shops are (generally) really good at sanitizing the mouth pieces.
personal preference I guess.
Thanks
-Kelsey Reply to this

15 years ago, September 23rd 2008 No: 10 Msg: #49589 Delete Edit

Al n Shez
Alan

B Posts: 11

I doubt if you will damage your wetsuit, after all, the compression and stresses on it while wearing it at 20m or climbing up and down rocks is far worse than anything the airline will throw at it, In fact, I always use my wetsuit to wrap round more fragile stuff for protection. Reply to this

15 years ago, September 24th 2008 No: 11 Msg: #49748 Delete Edit

little d11
Sara

B Posts: 22

Thanks Al,
thats comforting to know. I guess I'm just paranoid of wrecking it i totally forgot about the pressure of underwater. lol. thanks for the reminder.
-Kelsey Reply to this

15 years ago, September 25th 2008 No: 12 Msg: #49802 Delete Edit

Al n Shez
Alan

B Posts: 11

It's amazing how much the neoprene compresses. I once decided not to wear a pair of 5mm neoprene gloves but took them down with me so I could put them on if I got cold. At 30m I took them out of my leg pocket of my dry suit and they looked like they were gloves for a 5 year old. I didn't make that mistake again.

Have fun,

All the best,

Alan Reply to this

15 years ago, September 25th 2008 No: 13 Msg: #49803 Delete Edit

Maisondubonheur
Pierre-Alexandre

B Posts: 1,583

Alan,

A small question for you, saw that you live in UAE, have you dive out of Muscat? I'll be there end of the year.

Thanks,

Peter Reply to this

15 years ago, September 25th 2008 No: 14 Msg: #49806 Delete Edit

Al n Shez
Alan

B Posts: 11

Peter,

I've not dived off Muscat, but I have dived from Khor Fakkan, about 300km up the coast from there, and it was really good, almost the same as being in the Maldives. From what I've heard it's pretty much the same along the entire coast. Plus, Muscat is a really nice place and the Omanis are, in my experience, very friendly. Oman feels like a "real" country compared to the newness of the UAE.

Alan Reply to this

15 years ago, September 25th 2008 No: 15 Msg: #49816 Delete Edit

Maisondubonheur
Pierre-Alexandre

B Posts: 1,583

Thanks Alan,

Fun, my best friend just moved to Abu Dhabi for few months...it's a small world. Seems december could be fun out of Muscat with all the whales...but next dive...in 3 days in Philippines....can't wait!

Bye from Saigon, Vietnam,

Peter Reply to this

15 years ago, September 29th 2008 No: 16 Msg: #50201 Delete Edit

little d11
Sara

B Posts: 22

he he he, gloves for a 5 year old...
Thats one thing Ive really have learned... Even if the water FEELS nice, imagine being in it for 45 min, 30m down... I love my gloves!
Wow, thanks guys, this thread is Super helpful I'm really happy everyone is cool with sharing there scuba packing secrets/tips!
-Kelsey Reply to this

15 years ago, October 2nd 2008 No: 17 Msg: #50619 Delete Edit

Pkdeboer1973
Paul de Boer

N Posts: 7

Hi all,

Tomorrow I will start to travel overland from Mexico to Bolivia in 18 months, and I bring my:
- 3 mm longbody suit
- mask
- snorkel
- scuba boots.
- I think about buying a wrist computer in Mexico (I did not bring my air integrated suunto cobra).
The fins I will definately rent, but I still doubt about buying the Cressi-Sub BCD jacket "Flex" which is very small and lightweight. I did take lots of clothing (3 trousers, 2 shorts, 2 tshirts, 3 long sleeve shirts)
My backpack is a 95 litre pack.
But I brought lots of insect repellents as I want to spend a long time in the jungle, especially the Amazon. I could get the repellent for almost nothing.
The total weight of my backpack is now about 19 kilo's, so it is possible to keep the weight low.
I also bought a pacsafe security net to put around my backpack ( http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=49 ). This thing weighs 680 grams, I do not know if it is usefull or clumsy to have (maybe a nice new topic?).
So I think with more economic packing 18 kilo total for an almost complete scuba set plus normal travel stuff is definately possible. Reply to this

15 years ago, October 3rd 2008 No: 18 Msg: #50646 Delete Edit

ChuckMiser
Cheap Charley

B Posts: 109

For me and I am a PADI MSDT master scuba diver trainer I allways take my mask and reg's then I try to guess how much snorkling if any that I will be doing and make a decission on weather to bring my fins Mares Volo races. I also allways bring my U/W camera Sony Cybershot (really wish that I had got a olympus but anther post for that ) and my trusty Suunto Gecko.

BCD for me a bag is a bag if I am not strapping on 5 tanks all I need is something that holds air. if it is a short trip it stays home long trip I pack it (Oceanic Baja very light)

On the wetsuit I find that despite the rude dogs that havn't figured out that warming your wetsuit while diving is not a good idea as it scares away all the fish is that they take up a ton of space and if you need to rent a BCD you can get the package deal on the rentals and save alot of space in the luggage. If the water is really warm I just dive with a surf rash guard perfect for Thailand Cambodia Malaysia in most spots and any place where the water is around 28 or better.

I also buy tee shirts where I go to and save on laundry and luggage space.

I also consider if I am going to be on the small cheap air lines which have weight penalities you can spend big money in overweight charges. Reply to this

15 years ago, October 6th 2008 No: 19 Msg: #50969 Delete Edit

little d11
Sara

B Posts: 22

In my experience, the nets that go around your packs just end up getting cut off by US airline customs and inspector guys (they even cut off some carabeeners I had on the outside of my pack...jerks!)... although after looking at the pacsafe security net (thanks Paul) it could be a good alternative if your worried about theft.
If I'm checking my pack, nothing gets packed on the outside of it... it all gets crammed inside for safe travel, once I've reached my destination, however, whatever needs to dangle on the outside, does.
I like Chucks idea about buying tee shirts wherever you go to save on luggage, I take one other step and even pack what I call "disposable clothing"... clothing that I can destroy wile on vacation, and throw out before I even get on the plane to make room in my pack for any trinkets and clothing I've picked up on the way

Does anyone have any idea weather its worth wile to pack your own fins or not? I see them being a pain in the butt!
thanks again
-Kelsey Reply to this

15 years ago, October 6th 2008 No: 20 Msg: #50984 Delete Edit

Pkdeboer1973
Paul de Boer

N Posts: 7

Hi,

I am now a few days in Mexico city, I just arrived, and the 18 kilo is already feeling very heavy.
The pacsafe net I have not used yet, maybe that was not really needed, but who knows. Reply to this