Embarking on a liveaboard dive trip is an adventure that requires meticulous preparation, and my personal packing list is a testament to that. From chilly Channel Islands excursions to sun-drenched Red Sea adventures, each trip has honed my packing skills. While you can often rent gear on board (with some planning), I prefer taking my own. I know how to use it and I know it works well. No matter where your next liveaboard travel is booked, read on for a comprehensive packing list, and make sure you don’t miss anything next time you’re staring at empty bags in the days before your trip. Happy packing, and safe diving!

Luggage

Essentials

• Checked bags

• Carry-on bag

• Personal item

Extras

• Dry bag

• Packing cubes

• Luggage locks

• Portable luggage scale

• Luggage tags

Clothing and Personal Items

I won’t compile your clothes or toiletries packing list for you, but I will mention a few things you’ll want to remember to bring, depending on the weather. If possible, pack clothes that are lightweight and quick-drying.

If it’s cold or wet

• Deck jacket for warmth

• Rain jacket

• Gloves

• Beanie

If it’s warm

• Sun hat

• Flip-flops that don’t fall off easily

Safety and Health

• Prescription medications

• Sunscreen

• Seasickness medication

• Insect repellent

• Hand sanitizer

• Zip-close bags

• Water bottle

• Snacks

• Spare prescription glasses or contact lenses

Electronics and Entertainment

General Electronics

• Flashlight batteries

• Flashlight chargers

• Power strips

• Laptop and charger

• Universal battery charger

• Adapters for plugs

• Phone charger

• Universal power adapter

• Tile or Apple AirTag (for luggage tracking)

Photo And Video Equipment

• Dive camera

• Video camera

• Waterproof housing

• Camera arms

• Camera tray

• Spare camera O-rings

• Lenses

• Vacuum pump

• Underwater filters

• Tripod

• Camera batteries

• Camera chargers

• Camera lights or strobes

• Fiber optic cable for strobes

• Memory cards

• Card reader

• Hard drive or USB to back up photos

Entertainment

• Book or kindle or Scuba Diving magazine

• Earphones (wired for the plane)

• Small board games or card games

Dive Gear

Essentials

• BCD or back plate and wing (including harness, singletank converter, bolts)

• Weight pockets (for BCD or harness)

• Primary and secondary regulator

• Depth gauge

• SPG

• Compass

• Dive computer (and backup)

• Fins

• Mask (and backup mask)

• Snorkel

• Cutting devices (shears, Zknife, knife)

• Surface marker buoy

• Reel/spool

• Flashlight

• Backup flashlight

• Tank marker light (for night diving)

• Whistle or noise-maker

Nice To Have

• Personal GPS or Nautilus

Lifeline

• Fish ID slate

• Map(s) of the site(s)

• Guidebooks

• Writing slate or wet notes

Exposure Protection

For warm water

• One or two rash guards or a 3 mm wetsuit

• Thin gloves (for wreck diving or pulling yourself down anchor/current line)

• Boots

• Wet socks

• Swimsuits

For cold water

• 5 mm or 7 mm wetsuit/farmer john

• Rash guard (used for base layer)

• Hood

• Boots

• Wet socks

• Neoprene gloves

• Swimsuits

For colder water

• Drysuit

• One to two base layers (for drysuit)

• Thermal undergarments

• Gloves (dry or wet gloves)

• Base layer gloves (for dry gloves)

• Heated vest (optional)

• Thick thermal socks

• Boots

Documents and Extras

Documents

• Passport and visa

• Scuba certification cards

• Dive insurance card or number

• Travel insurance document

• Dive logbook (if physical)

Miscellaneous

• Foreign currency

• Sunglasses

• Microfiber towel

• Writing implements

• Cash for tips

• Trash bags (for wet gear on return)

• Travel pillow for the plane

• Eye mask

• Ear plugs

• Beach towel clips (for drying gear on dive boat top deck or railing)

Save-A-Dive Kit

• Spare mouthpiece

• Spare mask strap

• Zip ties

• Spare bolt snap or double-ender

• Aquaseal or drysuit glue

• Spare wrist or neck seal (drysuit)