If you are planning your first liveaboard diving trip, or if you’re an experienced pro, check out our packing list for liveaboards to ensure you don’t miss anything. It’s the last thing you’d want to do on your dream diving vacation – to be out in the ocean without that one piece of equipment or clothing. Check this list twice to avoid getting on the list of naughty divers.
Personal Dive Gear
Bring your own dive gear. You know, the gear that’s in your little mesh bag you bought during your certification class and that you have brought on every dive since. That’s it. Take it with.
Since we are all about checklists here is what you should have in your dive gear:
- Certification Cards– Download the digital version to your phone to avoid having to rely on local internet.
- Mask– Each mask is unique and should be fitted for your face. It is important to have your own mask if you wear prescription lenses.
- fins– It is important to have your own fins for kicking, and keeping your trim because your feet are located at the end a lever arm.
- Booties If you are using open-heel fins for diving, you should also pack your dive booties.
- Snorkel A diver who is prepared will carry their snorkel, even if they rarely do a surface dive on a liveaboard diving plan. There will be an optional snorkeling trip for exploring shallow lagoons or spearfishing.
- Skin suit– You’ll likely be changing into and out of the wetsuit quite often. A surface layer can help you reduce your sun exposure and make it easier to suit up.
- Logbook– You’re looking to create memories that last a life time. Write them down. If you have lofty goals, logging 25 dives in a week’s worth of liveaboard diving can get you half way to your divemaster goal.
Full Dive Gear
Every diver has a moment when they consider buying a full set of diving gear. The numbers are usually what hold you back. This is almost break-even in comparison to a week’s worth of rentals. Plus, you have enough luggage allowance to bring it along with you as you only need a few pieces of clothing for a liveaboard. You’ll be more inclined to bring your own equipment with you if you consider how much you will enjoy diving in your own gear.
It’s important to have your trim set up perfectly each time you dive. You can rent the full set of diving gear from your liveaboard, if that is what you need or want. Be sure to communicate any special needs you may have with the crew of the liveaboard before departing.
Packing a full dive set for a liveaboard trip:
- Wetsuit– Most liveaboard boats are based in tropical climates. In the summer, you might not need one at all and could even get by with a simple skinsuit. A dive hood can help you in the winter when you need a bit more.
- SPG Regulator/Mouthpiece – The most important part of your regulator, besides its condition, is the fit. You’ll need a custom-made mouthpiece if you experience problems with your lips or gums following a diving day, regardless of whether you own any gear.
- A BCD is the most important thing to do in order to improve your trim. I would not focus on getting a travel BCD. Instead, dive with the BCD you are comfortable using. A steel backplate with wing system may take up some of your luggage allowance.
Dive Safety Equipment
On a liveaboard diving trip, you will need to bring some safety gear. It is possible to rent this equipment on the boat but it’s more cost effective to bring your own. You’ll also want your own safety equipment because you will know exactly how it works.
Packing for a Liveaboard with Dive Safety Equipment:
- Diving Computer– Diving on a liveaboard will be required so that you can monitor your nitrogen load after each dive. You can tell when you are getting close to your limit by using your own computer. You’re likely to push your limits with 25 dives a week. This is especially true if you are diving on air.
- Surface marker buoy (safety sausages)– Always carry a surface marker when you go boat diving. So the boat captain will be able to see you when you are off line. It’s especially helpful if you’re a liveaboard, as there’ll be a DM watching out for you and can send a skiff if needed. You will need both an SMB and a reel for deployment (along with a clip that attaches it to your BCD).
- The Whistle is cheap and lightweight. While they are not as important as surface markers, they can be useful. There’s no reason not to carry a whistle so that the crew can locate you if you surface.
- Hyperbaric Chamber Dive Insurance– If you are traveling overseas with a multi-day dive profile, dive insurance is a good idea to cover any unexpected costs (and they can be very expensive), such as time spent in the hyperbaric room and air travel. Travel insurance usually does not cover dive-related expenses. Hyperbaric chambers are supported by local programs in some places, such as the SSS Network Access Program.
- Compass — There’s a good reason why underwater navigation is part of the recreational diving course. You’ll need it sooner or later and you won’t be able to do it without one. It was required for advanced diving classes, so it’s a good idea to take it along.
Scuba Sundries
Scuba Sundries include a variety of small and varied items that make your trip more enjoyable. These items can be extra clothing to keep you warm and safe underwater, or additional gear for photography or night diving.
Scuba sundries for liveaboards:
- Antifog Spray I use an all-natural Wannahockaloogie formula, but after Covid some boats are not fond of this mix. Jenn swears Tropical Seas ReefSafe Mask Defogger. If you have no preference, you will find that every boat has its own’special sauce.’ This is usually baby shampoo and water.
- Gloves If you plan to dive all week, the reward/risk of reduced exposure increases. Some boats/dives, such as our shark encounter on the Aqua Cat Liveaboard, require gloves.
- Hood/Beanie – I won’t lie, I was a hood hater. It wasn’t until I used a 11-mil diving hood to dive the Bonne Terre Mine that I changed my mind. Just by adding headgear, I went from being shivering and bordering on hypothermia to feeling cozy and warm. Jenn is claustrophobic so we are looking at a diving beanie. You should bring a hood or beanie if you are worried that your wetsuit is too thin, or if you want to dive at night.
- Diver Lights If you plan to dive at night, you will need both a primary and a secondary dive light, as well as a light for your tank. If you want to go night diving, your DM may prefer that the tank light not be red or flashing. You can rent these items on the boat if you don’t plan to do regular night dives. You may want to bring a dive torch anyway, so that you can see into crevasses, cracks and caves.
- dive camera (and diving stick).. If you are an underwater photographer you will want to bring along your camera in order to capture the stunning dive sites only liveaboards have access to. Don’t forget to bring a divestick. This extra stability can transform a blurry picture into a masterpiece.
- MONEY Why would you need money on the middle of an ocean? You’ll need money for shore excursions and souvenirs but also to tip your crew. You’ll also need some pocket money for the port night at the end of your trip.
- Clothingpins Your dive station has a few lines for drying your gear, but no clothespins to hang them with. Bring some clothespins to keep your dive station tidy, and the gear dry. (Also, they will keep it from blowing off!). Bring a few extra clothespins to lend to your friends.
Packing for Surface Interval
When you are not diving, what do you do? It’s most likely waiting to dive. If you dive five times a day, there will be a surface interval in between morning and afternoon dives. Between these dives, you will not be able to fully gear down and will also not be able to go back into the births. Pack some items to keep you warm, shaded and comfortable during your surface interval.
Packing List for Your Surface Interval:
- Reef Safe Sunscreen — Applying sunscreen is like voting early in Chicago. Do it often. You don’t want to burn the white bits of your body that are dangling on a surface. Do not forget to lubricate your ears. This is especially important for the top of your ears where your mask strap rests.
- Cap/Visor– Hats can be a quick and easy way to create portable shades.
- Shades You should protect your eyes with shades. At 100′ in clear water you will see almost no yellow or red light. Blue light is only 50% as strong. You can see better when you reduce eye strain.
- Cover-Up for Swimsuit It has been discovered that the fashion industry has developed a whole line of clothing to cover swimsuits. Pack one or two for your liveaboard diving trips. There are also male coverups.
- Raincoat / Windbreaker– When you are already cold, wet and tired, it can get chilly when you’re on the surface. You’ll also want to keep your windbreaker in the dive station, not your berth. Plan for your windbreaker to be a bit wet on the trip.
- flip flops– Feet can get funny in dive booties. So let them get some air when you can. Flip flops don’t all fit the same. Look for flip flops that are comfortable and have slip resistant soles.
- Hairbands — If you have long hair, it can get in your way while diving. Bring extra hairbands with you to the trip so that you can use them during your surface interval to fix any hairs that may have fallen out.
- Towel Microfiber– Note the difference between towels. It’s important to choose a towel that is lightweight, quick drying, and easy to pack, rather than a huge beach towel. I keep one in my case for my mask and wrap my sunglasses or mask in it as needed after drying my face.
What to pack for a Liveaboard
The clothes you pack for a cruise are important. It’s best to pack light so that you can bring more dive gear. You’ll be in your wetsuit for most of the trip so you won’t need much. You may want to pack a few warm layers in case it gets chilly at night.
What to pack for a Liveaboard
- Swimsuits — As a starting point, I would recommend bringing two swimsuits. You can then wear a dry swimsuit and avoid the “oh my” moment when you have to put on your wet and cold suit in the morning. You’ll get that feeling when you put on a damp wetsuit but you can still eat breakfast dry.
- Shorts (and underwear). This is not a requirement. On a diving trip, there’s no harm in being a member of the “no pants club”. It might be more comfortable to eat at a restaurant if you have a suit with fewer seams and a cover-up.
- 2 pairs warm comfortable pants and tops – Warm gear is less flexible. You’ll want to wear a layer of warmth if there is any chance that it will be chilly at night. Bring an extra layer to wear if the weather turns colder than you expected. It may not be necessary in the middle summer but is a good idea for three seasons of the year.
- T Shirts — Bring two, so that you can wash one and wear the other. Cotton is a killer, so bring something light and synthetic that will dry quickly if it gets a little wet.
- Salong For all the sporty female hippies and male alphas. These are not only fashionable but also functional.
- Formal Clothing (if necessary)– Check the itinerary for events like “Captain’s Dinner”, where men will be expected to wear a collared shirts and women, a nice dress.
Packing for Shore Excursions
You can’t take that much on a cruise, so packing for shore excursions is easy. Bring only the essentials, and use a backpack for them. You may want to bring some items from other lists, such as sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. But these are only extras, particularly for shore excursions.
Packing for Shore Excursions
- drybag/ backpack– We always carry a collapsible bag with us. The bag keeps sand and water out, and it fits everything you need. It’s not suitable for long walks, but it doesn’t really matter.
- Water Bottle – Your dive boat makes delicious purified water. Do not be the guy who brings disposable plastic bottles.
- Island Hiking Shoes If you are comfortable walking two miles with flip-flops then you have already packed these. Bring hiking sandals if you’re going on shore excursions.
Personal Electronics to Bring on a Liveaboard
Believe it or not, you’re going to want to take some personal electronics with you on a liveaboard. You don’t want to bring the entire home office, but having a couple of E-things with you will greatly enhance your trip.
Personal electronics to bring on a liveaboard:
- Land Use Camera – Underwater cameras are notoriously bad at taking photos on the surface. However, your cell phone will probably do just fine unless you’re a real photo junky.
- Chargers – Many liveaboards will have standard power outlets available, so bring your chargers. Also, be sure to check if you’ll need a converter.
- Laptop – Try not to open any work emails, even if you happen to get data, but bring your laptop for processing pictures, taking notes, and sharing stories with fellow guests. Before you leave the shore, take a little time to download some of your favorite photos for sharing. Also, if you make videos, download a couple of songs for video production. There’s often a show and tell competition at the end of the trip, and having access to a soundtrack will set your videos apart.
Essential Toiletries (and Meds)
You’ll need to bring your personal toiletries, but there are some other things you can take with you that, once for once, can help your trip more than any other items.
Toiletries to Pack for a Liveaboard:
- Prescription Medications – If you need to take daily meds, be sure to pack them.
- Eco-Friendly Leave-in Conditioner – long term immersion in salt water will do a number on your hair. A good conditioner will help (a bit). Pro-tip for the long-hairs– Spray some in your hair and braid it for diving. It will be way less tangled and will brush out like a dream after a long day underwater.
- Aspirin / NSAIDs – The older you get, the more you need your vitamin-I.
- Seasickness Medication – If you’re prone to seasickness, these are going to be your best friends. This goes double for the first night, where you’re motoring across open water instead of being anchored in a sheltered cove. If you’re prone, check in with the captain and medicate early. However, be careful with Dramamine because it can cause drowsiness, and the non-drowsy formula can pump you up. If you’re using a Scopolamine transdermal patch, you want to figure out your effective dose. There can be some serious side effects like agitation, confusion, and paranoia, which are no bueno for diving.
Wrapping up our Liveaboard Diving list
What you should pack and why is what we just discussed. Pack early and ensure that all your items fit into your luggage. There are three items you should never pack for diving.
- Tanks — They are heavy, difficult to fly, and on the boat.
- Weights– Nothing but lead weight on the boat.
- Mesh Diving Bag You will pack your diving gear in your luggage, and then you’ll unpack them into your dive station. No need to carry extra dive bags.