Gear by Experience Level
PADI Open Water Certification
Get certified before your trip — many operators require it.
Certification unlocks access to the best dive sites globally.
Shop Now →
Mask + Fins + Snorkel (Personal)
Own your mask — rental masks never fit perfectly.
A leaking mask ruins every dive.
Shop Now →
Wetsuit (3mm for tropics)
Lycra rashguard for warm water, 3mm neoprene for cooler reefs.
Thermal comfort and UV/coral protection.
Shop Now →
Dive Computer (Wrist)
Entry-level dive computer tracking depth, time, and NDL.
Rental computers are a crapshoot — own your decompression data.
Shop Now →
BCD (Buoyancy Control Device)
Jacket-style or backplate/wing BCD.
Properly fitted owned BCD gives you buoyancy control confidence.
Shop Now →
Regulator Set
1st and 2nd stage regulator with octopus.
Your own reg maintains muscle memory and is professionally serviced.
Shop Now →
Dive Light (Primary)
LED dive torch for caves, overhangs, and night dives.
Colors disappear underwater without artificial light.
Shop Now →
SMB + Reel (Surface Marker Buoy)
Inflatable safety sausage for ascent signaling.
Signals your position to the boat after drift dives.
Shop Now →
Drysuit + Undergarment
For cold-water diving (under 15°C / 59°F).
Wetsuits lose thermal protection below certain depths and temps.
Shop Now →
Sidemount or Twinset Configuration
For cave and technical diving.
Redundancy and streamlining for overhead environments.
Shop Now →
Underwater Camera System
Mirrorless camera in housing, or GoPro + tray + lights.
Document what you see — underwater photography is addictive.
Shop Now →
Packing List
✓ Must Have
- Certification card (C-card)
- Mask + fins
- Wetsuit
- Dive computer
- Logbook
- Travel insurance with dive coverage
- Medications (seasickness)
+ Nice to Have
- Underwater flashlight
- SMB + reel
- Dive knife or shears
- Anti-fog drops
- Mesh gear bag
✗ Leave at Home
- Motorized underwater scooter (rental)
- Dive flag if liveaboard provides one
- Heavy camera gear if you're just learning
Find Your Next Scuba Diving Trip
Search Epic Trips for the world's best scuba diving destinations, scored by real historical conditions.
Search Scuba Diving Destinations →