Don’t Forget The Dive Kit! How To Pack For A Dive Holiday
I love my local UK diving. But, there is nothing better than jetting off for some exotic diving holiday! The stress point? Packing.
Packing for a dive holiday is a whole other ball game compared to other holidays. Much more dive kit to take with you from equipment to extra swimsuits. Where do you put it all and still stay within the restrictions? There are some divers who can take everything in hand luggage (seriously those people are wizards) others need multiple cases to bring the tec or camera kit!
So what is the problem with packing for a dive holiday?
The biggest issue with packing for a dive holiday is the airline’s weight restrictions on luggage. They are never quite enough for the extra wetsuit or metal backplate. This goes for size too. Not every suitcase can fit those lovely freediving fins in. Knowing you have to fit within certain limits can make it hard to decide which pieces of kit you want to take on your dive trip.
Honestly, you will never need as much as you think you need. Put the extra slate away and leave the gloves behind (if you are diving somewhere warm that is). Take the time to streamline your dive set-up and take only what you know you need and will use on the trip. You then ensure you have the essentials with you for an amazing time diving!
Quick Tip:
If you are flying with multiple airlines, then make sure to pack to the airline with the lowest/smallest luggage allowance. This way you should be within the limits of all the airlines you are travelling with.
The Bulk In Hold
I have split the kit into 2 sections, based on how I usually pack for a dive holiday. 1x large hold case and 1x cabin case. Let’s start with the hold case. I use the hold to transport the bulkier items I dive with, including fins and BCD.
Firstly, there is a wide range of cases, duffle bags and roller bags which are perfect for transporting your kit. Many dive brands have brought out their own dive bag ranges so you are sure to find something suitable. Personally, I like to use a normal hard-shell suitcase. It is a little more discreet than branded bags and offers more protection for my kit with the hard shell. Just make sure whatever you use you can fit your fins in!
Okay, the kit going in the hold are; fins, wetsuit, BCD and general accessories e.g. reels, compass, and torches (minus the batteries). Most of these items are heavier and larger pieces of kit. So it makes sense for them to go in the hold case. I will often wrap my wetsuit around my BCD and slide things like boots and hoods into the pockets or around the chest strap area. Just trying to keep things as compact as possible. Fins slide down the sides of the case too, offering more protection to the items in the centre.
The other reason these particular items go in the hold is that they tend to be easier to rent/hire wherever you are diving. Hold luggage is known to get lost between checking in and pick up at your arrival destination. If these items were to go missing, they are easily rentable and you can still make the most of your dive holiday.
Delicates In Hand Luggage
For me, hand luggage is for the more important, specialised or personalised pieces of dive kit. When packing for a dive holiday I like to keep these smaller, key items on me at all times. These are my regulators, dive computer and my prescription mask. If you have these key items then it makes your dive trip more comfortable. For my regulators, I will put them in a reg bag or a soft drawstring bag (space dependant) to protect them from any scratches in transport.
My dive computer will also come with me as most dive centres will not hire these out. Also, it is your log of all your dives, so we want to continue to log our dives on this new trip. And of course, it is a key safety feature for your diving.
You may not want to take your mask with you in hand luggage, these can easily go in the hold. Particularly if you have standard lenses in them. With a prescription mask, it is not possible to hire these out as they are bespoke to your eyesight. Yes, it is possible to dive without them. However, it makes your diving a lot more comfortable and enjoyable if you can see the shark in front of you or your air gauge!
Got To Capture The Dives – Don’t Forget The Camera Kit
Now if you are taking an underwater camera kit with you then this offers a whole lot more fun when packing for a dive holiday.
The camera kit is delicate but bulky. Often camera kit gets transported in Peli cases as they are robust and protective of your expensive kit. These are ideal for larger camera setups, or if you have multiple lenses, ports and strobes to pack. However, these are additional checked bags which often result in additional costs.
If you are like me and currently use a smaller compact camera there is not always the need to check an extra bag/case on your flight. It will fit within your standard packing. Try splitting your camera kit into key pieces and accessories. The key pieces are items such as the camera, housing and main lens which can be used by themselves without extras. Then the accessories would be items such are arms, floats, and additional wet lenses.
The key camera kit then goes into your hand luggage as this tends to be more delicate. Also if the accessories go missing you have the camera with you and can still take photos on your dives. The bulkier kit is put in your main hold case with the rest of your kit. The arms and floats make good fillers for any gaps in your case too. Strobes and lights can go in either case depending on how important they are to your photos and diving.
Just remember to pad the case as protection for your camera kit as it is delicate and even a small knock can damage a camera sensor or the lens glass. If you don’t have space for padded bags you can use some of your clothes to cushion the kit in the case.
Packing For A Dive Holiday Soon? My Top Tip.
Check for extra luggage allocation with the airline.
Some of the airlines offer an extra weight allowance if you have an active diving certification. This is all dependent on the airline and the ticket you have, but I do know some offer an extra 5kg.
This can help make the decision between taking your own kit diving or renting easier. Knowing you have a little extra weight available means you don’t always have to choose between your wetsuit boots or underwear…
