Quick Guide To Packing For Your First Scuba Diving Vacation

A scuba diving vacation is unlike any other type of outdoor excursion. This is an equipment-heavy sport with lots of technique nuances – your first excursion is going to be a learning experience you will never forget. This quick guide will help you pack your bags well in advance so you can relax on the day of departure.   

Equipment To Rent

Most beginner-friendly scuba tours provide nearly every piece of equipment a diver could possibly need. This always includes tanks and regulators, often extending to buoyancy compensation vests and even wetsuits. If your scuba tour company does not provide the equipment you need, rest assured that any tourist destination is sure to have a fully outfitted dive shop for all your rental needs.

Rentals can be more complicated than expected. Much of the most important scuba diving equipment is very size specific. Make sure to show up early so you can have a better chance of obtaining the sizes and styles that work best for your face and body type. You will also want to get your equipment inspected by a professional to ensure that everything functions the way it should. Expect a thorough inspection of all hoses, computers, and regulators.

Some items are not very fun to rent. If you believe that you will book another scuba diving trip soon, you may as well start considering your long-term investments. The next section will describe which items you should purchase and bring on your own. We'll also cover some of the items that are simply impractical to rent or borrow. 

Equipment To Buy

Masks are always our first purchase suggestion. A leaky mask can ruin an entire excursion. The way a mask reacts in store is not always the way it will react underwater. An airtight seal is not always a watertight seal. Purchase your mask from a dive shop with a demonstration pool. Smile, squint, and scratch as you would in the real world. Every face is a little different and no particular mask will work the same for everybody.

You may also consider purchasing your own safety equipment. You will likely end up diving with a partner, but sharing safety devices is not ideal at all. Some of the items are extremely cheap – warning whistles and signal mirrors in particular are extremely cost-effective and well worth the investment. Safety sausages (inflatable marking devices) are a little more expensive but some tours do require their use. Dive knifes are helpful but not easy to get through the airport. 

As far as apparel goes, you may feel more comfortable purchasing your own wetsuit, or at the very least, your own booties and gloves. Rental wetsuits in particular tend to harbor a unique odor and it can be tough to find a perfect fit. These businesses usually put cleanliness and safety first but squeamish divers may want to stay on the lookout for opportunities to bring their own.

Helpful Extras

Not everything you'll need is strictly scuba-related. Diving takes the beach vacation to a completely new level. Bring your most powerful sunscreen and UV resistant lip balm, and make sure to bring some eye drops and contact lens solution to keep those eyes comfortable. Bring along some burn salve just in case you do get a burn. Bring your favorite first aid items in case you incur a scratch or cut – the ocean is teeming with microscopic organisms and salt water does nothing to soothe a wound.  

Dryness is hard to come by on a long scuba trip. Bring extra swimsuits and towels so you can let one set dry as you wear the other. Pack along some clothespins so you can dry wherever you go. Pack some sandals, loose shorts, and perhaps a sarong so you can get into the beachside cafes without trouble. You may want a mesh bag to store the items you cannot dry right away to prevent any mildew or other concerns. 

Make sure to collaborate with an experienced dive partner and keep your tour guides informed about any concerns or questions. Get excited! Your scuba diving adventure is going to be great, especially if you don't have to worry about tracking down forgotten items. Before you know it, you'll be the one giving packing advice to new divers!

If you're looking for the best scuba diving in Oahu Hawaii check out Living Ocean Scuba!