Liveaboard Dive Packing List (2025 Edition)
Travellers with luggage walking across an airport tarmac – every seasoned diver knows a smooth trip starts even before boarding the plane. Embarking on a liveaboard requires careful planning. On my first liveaboard trip I learned the hard way that forgetting one tiny item (a backup mask strap!) can dampen the adventure. To avoid that, it pays to follow a detailed packing list. A good dive-packing guide (like the one from Bluewater Travel) includes documentation (passport, visas if needed, dive certification cards, insurance papers) as well as essentials like a dive computer, regulator set, BCD, wetsuit, fins and mask. Bringing your own mask and computer is advisable – rental gear may not fit as well, and you’ll dive more confidently with familiar equipment. Below is a comprehensive checklist to cover everything you need for a liveaboard.
Documentation and Essentials
- Travel documents: Passport (check expiry!), visas, airline tickets, trip vouchers, dive certification card(s), logbook, printed confirmations, and dive/travel insurance info. Keep copies in your carry-on.
- Money and cards: Small USD bills and credit/debit cards. A travel wallet and emergency contact list (stored separately) can be lifesavers.
- Snorkel gear: Snorkel, optional hood and gloves for cool water.
- Dive insurance and first aid: Bring your DAN card, first-aid kit, seasickness remedies, bandages, sunscreen (reef-safe), after-sun lotion, and insect repellent.
Dive Equipment
- Regulators and computers: Primary and alternate regulators, dive computer, spare o-rings, backup mask, mouthpieces, dive torch, spool or reel, batteries.
- BCD, fins, wetsuit: Bring your own if possible. Caribbean waters (e.g. Belize) are warm enough for 3 mm wetsuits.
- Mask and snorkel: Use a trusted mask to avoid leaks. A snorkel clipped to your mask is handy for surface swims.
- Personal safety gear: SMB/safety sausage, whistle, dive knife or shears, clips/lanyards, double-ended bolt snaps.
Clothing and Personal Items
- Daywear: Quick-dry clothes, long pants, light sweater. Travel towel for deck use.
- Evening/out-of-water attire: One smart-casual outfit, sleepwear, sandals/flip-flops, light rain jacket.
- Toiletries and health: Reef-safe sunscreen and lip balm, basic toiletries, feminine hygiene, motion-sickness remedies.
- Miscellaneous: GoPro/small camera, book or Kindle, headphones, wet notes or notebook, dry bag, packing cubes, reusable water bottle, padlock, pocket knife.
Electronics and Photos
- Camera gear: Housings, chargers, memory cards, microfiber cloth, tripod or arms.
- Power needs: USB hub, universal adapter, power strip. Some boats use 110 V, others 220 V.
Nice-to-Haves and Tips
- Comfort items: Earplugs, eye mask, neck pillow, snacks, binoculars, flashlight for night-time use.
- Packing strategy: Soft-sided duffels work best. Roll clothes, label bags, pack electronics at the bottom. Use a dry bag for wet gear and a portable scale to avoid overweight luggage.
With this comprehensive checklist, you’ll be prepared for just about anything at sea. One final piece of advice from personal experience: double- and triple-check your list a week out. Revisit it a day before departure, laying out items to ensure nothing critical is left behind. Missing an SD card or forgetting your travel adapter at the last minute is all too easy. But with some planning, you’ll be able to focus on diving, not panicking in the morning. After all, the ocean’s depths are best enjoyed when your suitcase is sorted and your mind is at ease.
