How to pack for a liveaboard diving trip can be confusing for a new diver. Bringing the proper equipment for your trip can give you a more enjoyable and relaxing experience.
Liveaboard Diving Trips are popular at scuba diving sites around the world and can be a great way to explore a dive site. They provide you with the opportunity to explore a dive site in depth. You can also explore the site at different times of day. This lets you experience a wider variety of animal life. Multi-day diving also keeps you closer to your dive sites. This eliminates time spent traveling to and from sites and can provide you with more dive time on your diving trip. If you haven’t tried a liveaboard before, we highly recommend it.
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Liveaboard Diving trips are multi-day trips that include multiple dives. You live, eat, sleep and dive off of the same boat. Most of these boats do enforce limits on the luggage you can bring. So packing for the liveaboard diving trip must be efficient.
Scuba Gear to Pack for Liveaboard Diving
Many liveaboards provide you with all the gear you need. However, some do require that you pay an additional fee to use their equipment. Be aware of your company’s inclusions before you book your trip. We recommend finding tour companies that provide included equipment as transporting diving equipment can be cumbersome and costly.
However, there are some diving equipment that you should pack. If you have any specialized diving equipment, such as prescription goggles, pack those. Many places that loan equipment don’t have specialized equipment. If you also have had problems in the past fitting into certain gear such as fins, investing in your own proper fitting equipment may be the correct choice for you. We own our own goggles, fins and gloves as those are easy to pack as well as being the hardest to find the proper fit for when traveling.
Also, be aware of the temperatures you will be diving in and what you will want to wear when diving. When you pack for your liveaboard diving drip be sure to note if a wet suit will be needed and provided by the tour company. If you think you are going to be cold, consider renting or buying a wetsuit as you don’t want to be uncomfortable while diving.
Other diving equipment to pack for a liveaboard dive, include a great underwater camera. Make sure you choose your camera ahead of time and test it out at home so that you know how to use your camera when diving. Also, include any camera equipment that you may need to keep your camera attached to you and functioning at depth.
Clothes to Pack for Liveaboard Diving
There are many different types of clothes you will need to pack for your liveaboard diving trip. Remember that packing efficiently is important for any storage limitations you may have. Also note that everyone else on your boat will be “in the same boat” in terms of packing limitations. So don’t worry about being underdressed on your boat as it’s likely everyone else will pack similar clothes as you.
I would recommend bringing a swimsuit for each dive that you will be going on in a single day. This gives you the option of putting on a dry swimsuit each time you dive and then letting each suit dry overnight. Make sure you pack very secure swimsuits with tight ties and supportive straps. For women, we would suggest against any tube style swimwear, as being comfortable when you are diving is very important.
It is also important to bring comfortable clothes to change into between each dive. I would recomend bringing warm clothes as well even if you are diving in a warm climate. We got cold going from getting in and out of the water as well as the air conditioning inside the boat. So make sure you bring comfortable clothes that are easy to layer. Every dive boat we have been on has been very casual. Don’t waste packing space with fancy clothes unless your dive company specifically mentions it.
Make sure to pack toiletries for your liveaboard diving trip. Most boats do not provide these nor offer them to forgetful passengers. Make sure to pack these even if you are only going for a short stay as you’ll want to shower frequently to rinse off all the salt. I would also recommend against packing makeup or grooming products for your trip. The pace of the diving doesn’t give you much time to spend grooming so make sure not to waste too much space in your suitcase on these items.
First Aid to Pack for Liveaboard Diving
When packing for a liveaboard diving trip make sure to pack your standard travel first aid kit. This should include bandaids, antibacterial cream, ibuprofen, allergy medication and any special medications that you may need to treat reoccurring problems or existing conditions. Make sure you also pack an itch relief cream for any skin irritation you may have from diving or underwater irritants you may come into contact with.
Additionally, make sure to pack specific medication relating to diving. Ask your medical professional what they recommend. We recommend packing, and taking, motion sickness medication even if you have not had problems with motion sickness in the past. Make sure to get the non-drowsy medication so it doesn’t impair your diving. You may also want to consider ear or sinus medication if you have a problems in the past. Again, check with a medical professional or your dive crew before taking these medications in combination with diving as there are medications that can have adverse side effects while diving.
Other Items to Pack
Make sure to pack your diving logbook and certification card on your liveaboard diving trip. Some companies require you to show proof of your dive certification before diving. Your logbook is important to bring if you are interested in advancing your certification or just want to keep track of your amazing dives.
Other miscellaneous items to pack for liveaboard diving include anything else that will keep you safe and entertained. Make sure to bring chargers and extra batteries for your electronic equipment, particularly your underwater camera. Also, make sure you remember sunglasses and reef safe sunscreen, particularly if you are diving without a wetsuit.
Now that you are all packed for your liveaboard diving trip, relax and enjoy your scuba diving experience!
