Packing for a Scuba Diving Trip: Tips and Tricks

Planning for a scuba diving trip involves meticulous preparation, especially when it comes to packing. Divers often carry a lot of gear, and if you're traveling internationally, you'll need to navigate varying airline regulations. Europe and Asia, for instance, typically enforce much tighter carry-on weight restrictions (usually 15 lbs or 7 kg) than the US. For those of us who travel with camera equipment for underwater photography, this adds an additional layer of complexity. Here are some strategies I've learned over the years to manage these challenges and ensure a smooth journey.

Prioritizing Your Carry-On vs. Checked Baggage

When it comes to deciding what to pack in your carry-on versus your checked baggage, prioritization is key. As an underwater photographer, my camera gear always takes precedence. I operate on the principle that while I can rent dive equipment at my destination, renting a camera that will meet my needs is not an option. Therefore, I ensure that the essentials I need to get by—should my luggage be delayed or lost—are in my carry-on. For instance, my Nauticam float arms, which are bulky, go in the checked luggage, but I carry a pair of regular arms in my carry-on. This way, even if my luggage is delayed, I can still use my camera, albeit not in its most optimal setup.

Choosing the Right Luggage

For checked luggage, I opt for non-descript suitcases rather than those specifically designed for scuba diving. This strategy helps avoid drawing attention to the fact that the bags contain expensive equipment, which can sometimes tempt baggage handlers. Additionally, I choose lightweight luggage to maximize the amount of gear I can pack without exceeding weight limits. Since dive gear is inherently heavy, starting with light luggage gives you more leeway. I put the more fragile gear in a hard sided suitcase such as the Samsonite C-Lite which when full, is very strong and super light. For less fragile gear such as fins, wetsuit, BCD, etc., I use a soft-sided suitcase that only weighs 5lbs (2.28 kg).

Handling Lithium Batteries

Airlines generally require that lithium batteries or devices containing them be carried in the cabin, not in the hold. This rule means you'll need to allocate some of your carry-on space for these items, so plan accordingly.

Pack Lighter Than You Think

On dive trips, most of your day time will be spent diving so you need minimal t-shirts and shorts and far less shoes (which add weight) than you would think. I use the clothes that I do take along to wrap any fragile equipment.

Packing Tips for Non-Photographers

If photography isn't your primary focus, you might prioritize packing essential dive gear such as your regulator, mask, and dive computers in your carry-on. These items may be difficult to replace or rent in some locations - especially a prescription mask or your favorite dive computer.

Tricks for Managing Carry-On Weight

Airlines are primarily concerned with the weight of your carry-on bag, not the weight of the items on your person. To exploit this, I wear cargo pants and a fishing vest with numerous pockets, transferring heavy items from my bag to my clothing. This way, my carry-on bag meets the weight limit, and once I'm on board, I transfer the items back into my bag. I've even managed to fit a laptop and two halves of an aluminum housing into a fishing vest.

Navigating Airline Checks

You might encounter weight checks for your carry-on at two points: when you first check in and when you're waiting in line to board your flight. Some airlines issue tags indicating that your bag has been checked and approved, so make sure your bag looks as light as possible. Avoid attracting attention; if you're traveling with a group, spread out rather than congregating together.

A useful trick is to offload heavy items to a friend who is waiting out of sight while you check in. Once your bag has been weighed and tagged, you can retrieve your items from your friend and repack them.

Maximizing Carry-On and Personal Item Allowances

Most airlines allow one carry-on and one personal item. I travel with a backpack (often weighing around 50 lbs - 22.7kg) as my carry-on and my camera housing with the heaviest port, camera inside, and viewfinder attached as my personal item. This setup has worked globally without issue, fitting neatly under the seat in front of me.

Utilizing Sports Bag Policies

Check if the airline offers a sports bag policy. Some airlines, like Garuda Indonesia, provide an additional free checked bag for scuba equipment. Ensure that the bag identified as scuba gear contains some actual dive gear, as agents may occasionally check.

Using Tracking Devices

Tracking devices like Apple AirTags can be invaluable. If your bags go missing, you can provide the airline with their last known location. However, constantly monitoring the location of your bags can cause unnecessary anxiety due to delays in the tags updating.

Conclusion

Packing for a scuba diving trip requires careful planning and strategic packing, especially when dealing with strict airline weight limits and the need to transport sensitive camera equipment. By prioritizing your gear, choosing the right luggage, and using clever tricks to manage weight, you can ensure that your essentials are safe and accessible, allowing you to focus on enjoying your dive adventure.