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When people ask “How to travel with scuba gear?” the answer is, not easily! It’s big, bulky, and can weigh a lot—but let TFG show you the best travel gear for diving to make packing a breeze!
Scuba Travel Gear for Female Divers
Written By: Laura Pulling
Table Of Contents
I’m a diver and I won’t lie—I LOVE it! There’s no better feeling than getting beneath the waves and seeing the underwater life at a marine rich destination I visit. Doing a dive travel trip is seriously one of my favorite things!
When I’m going on a trip, I want to be a savvy packer—that’s what TFG teaches us, right! If you have your own equipment, you want to be able to use it! But unfortunately, traveling with scuba gear isn’t easy because it’s typically not that packable!
So I’ve created a list of the best scuba diving travel gear, made up of the equipment that’s designed to be the lightest, smallest, but still the best performing so you can dive on all of your voyages and still have room in your suitcase for your other vacation pieces!
Check out my lightweight scuba gear recommendations for women below!
Best Travel Bags for Scuba Gear
Most importantly, you want to pack your gear so it stays safe. Word amongst divers is that a branded scuba travel bag is more prone to being taken or ‘lost’ when checked in as it’s obvious that expensive equipment is inside. However, this luggage is specifically designed to keep your dive gear packed safely and with extra pockets that are good for quick drying and keeping your equipment together.
Personally, I put my “expensive and essential gear” in my carry-on—regulators, dive computer and mask, and then pack my BCD, wetsuit, fins, and boots in my checked bag.
Shop: Amazon
Aqua Lung Explorer II Scuba Diving Travel Bag
This Aqua Lung carry on size backpack is diver approved! Its stylish design is packed with convenient features. It has two external pockets, one of which is mesh for keeping any wet gear. It has straps to attach your fins to the outside, plus comfy pegged shoulder straps for wearing on your back, which also convert into a duffle bag.
TUSA Roller Travel Gear Bags
This TUSA dive travel bag comes in three different sizes, from a small carry-on to a medium size, and then large checked sizes. Every size has a heavy duty pull handle and rolling wheels. It has a whole bunch of pockets, both internal and external plus straps, to attach your fins to.
The zipper is secure and has buckle clips that go over the top, which hold the case shut, even if the zipper fails.
Shop: Amazon
Bulex Mesh Dive Duffel Bag
This simple Bulex mesh bag is made to fit your gear in easily. If you plan on packing your dive equipment in your normal suitcase, this scuba gear travel bag folds up small and is great for transporting your gear to the dive shop when you are on your trip.
The mesh means it is super quick drying and you can put your wet gear straight inside without fear of water collecting. It is larger enough to fit an entire set of gear, and has convenient tote handles to carry it.
Best Travel Fins
Your fins are probably the biggest and bulkiest of your dive gear, so having a set of travel scuba fins which are light and don’t take up a ton of space is useful if you plan on diving around the world.
Shop: Amazon
Aqua Lung HotShot Scuba Travel Fins
These Aqua Lung dive fins are great for traveling. They have a foot shell that’s soft and flexible for use either barefoot or with dive neoprene socks. These fins have adjustable gears so you can adjust the rigidity and flexibility to change the power so even though they are small, they are still mighty.
One diver shares, “I have Aqua Lung HotShots and love them!! Travel with them everywhere!!”
Shop: Amazon
SCUBAPRO GO Travel Dive Fins
These SCUBAPRO fins are specifically designed for travel. They are extremely lightweight and have a stacking design that allows them to cleverly fit on top of one another so they fit in your case without taking up a ton of room.
They are designed to be worn without boots (which saves even more room in your luggage) and fit snugly to a bare foot or with scuba socks. The angled blade still provides good power for a smaller fin style.
One user explains, “For traveling, I have SCUBAPRO GO fins. They fit in my carry-on and are super light too.”
TUSA Hyflex Switch Scuba Diving Fins
These TUSA dive fins have a softer blade than other fins, that gives a little less power, but makes them responsive when frog kicking and turning in the water. The foot pocket has a soft upper, but harder sole for transferring power from your feet.
They have a bungee heel strap that are easy to don and are adjustable.
With these fins you can disconnect the footpocket from the blade using a small Allen key so they fit into a small rucksack, making them some of the best scuba fins for travel.
Check out this post to find the best fins for you!
Best Travel BCD Scuba
Your BCD (buoyancy control device), is generally the bulkiest bit of kit you’ll own, but manufacturers have now thought of how to slim these down as they are aware that a lot of divers travel for their aquatic adventures.
A rental BCD is fine, and if you have the rest of your own kit you may decide to just rent a BCD, but this can take a couple of dives to get used to if you are given one that’s a different design or style than you’re used to.
Shop: Amazon
Cressi BCD Travel Light
This Cressi travel BCD has a lightweight jacket design. The shoulders and back plate are padded and flexible, which allows you to fold it tightly, and are mesh lined to dry quickly. The BCD has integrated weight systems, so you don’t need a separate weight belt.
The BCD has reasonably large pockets and D rings to attach extra equipment to. This also comes as a Cressi Travelight Package which has the Cressi travel light BCD, along with a regulator with octopus, dive computer, and a travel bag to keep it all inside.
Shop: Amazon
AquaLung Pro HD Travel BCD
This lightweight Aqualung travel BCD has thick padded shoulders and back panel, to make it comfier to wear without a wetsuit or if only wearing a rash guard. The harness, wing design inflates with all of the air at the back of you, which lots of experienced divers love, but it can make it a little tricky to control your buoyancy the first time you use it.
The inflate buttons are chunky and easy to use, and it has an integrated weight system, so you don’t need to pack a separate weight belt.
You can also get an Aqualung travel package, that contains this travel scuba BCD, travel regulators, and octopus plus computer all together.
Shop: Amazon
SCUBAPRO GO Lightweight Travel BCD
This SCUBAPRO travel BCD is designed to be compact and lightweight, making it easy to pack for your dive trip. A streamlined BCD that’s well-suited for both tropical and temperate water diving, the SCUBAPRO Litehawk offers a compact, lightweight design with a soft, flexible backpack — making it perfect for dive travel.
Quick-release, rotating shoulder buckles allow you to optimize the routing of the padded shoulder straps under your arms for a custom fit that’s also stable at depth.
Best Travel Regulator
Your regulators are often your most expensive piece of gear, and they are the most important! They keep you breathing, so it’s vital they work right. Regulators go inside your mouth, so if you have your own, you may not want to get a rental and share with the many people at a dive shop who have used it before you. (Shops do clean and disinfect them, but still…)
It’s essential to have them in a protective bag to keep them safe from damage, and I always travel with my regulator in my carry-on, as it is too precious to risk getting lost or bashed around in my checked luggage bag.
Cressi MC9 XS Compact Dive Regulator
This Cressi regulator is really lightweight for travel. The first stage is balanced and has a lot of ports to attach your other gauges to. It has a rubber hose to a very compact second stage.
The second stage is compact and small. It has a purge button that takes up the entire face of the regulator, plus a pre-dive and dive mode to adjust the airflow. This version has a yoke (or A-Clamp) attachment, which are common around North America and tourist diving destinations.
Shop: Amazon
SCUBAPRO MK25 EVO / A700 Carbon DIN Travel Regulators Scuba
This SCUBAPRO regulator is high performance but it’s also light to travel with. The first stage is compact and has plenty of attachment points, it comes with a yoke (or A-Clamp) tank attachment and a rubber hose. Yoke valves are common throughout North America and recreational tourist destinations.
Breathe smoothly at all depths and all tank pressures with the air-balanced G260 BT second stage, a step-up in durability with a premium carbon fiber front cover and Black Tech finish, this MK19 EVO BT/G260 BT regulator system is particularly suited for cold water, silty diving conditions and technical diving.
An ideal choice for dive travelers, female divers, and smaller-sized divers, the travel-friendly A700 offers a diver-adjustable inhalation effort knob and coaxial dive/pre-dive lever, plus an easy-to-activate large purge button. The super-flow hose features an oversized bore that allows more air to flow on each inhalation, while the compact Hi-Flow mouthpiece improves airflow as well as mouth comfort.
Shop: Amazon
Scubapro Scuba Diving Regulator Bag
This Scrubapro Cruise bag is designed to keep your regulators safe and secure. The bag has a surprising amount of space, not just your regulator, but other small dive accessories. The shoulder strap is long and can be worn cross-body. It also features a small additional case for stowing your dive computer safely.
Shop: Amazon
Oceanic Regulator Bag
The Oceanic regulator bag has a unique hexagonal shape to minimize kinks in the hoses of your regulators. The bag has padded mesh walls that are light, but quick drying and PE boards to protect the delicate gear.
Best Mask for Travel
A mask doesn’t really change size, so there’s no real best one for travel! Although you can rent a mask (and all gear), once you’ve found your own that fits your face, you know it’s hard to go back. If anything to consider when traveling, it’s to have a case to protect your mask from scratches or damage.
Shop: Amazon
Cressi Frameless Mask F1
The Cressi F1 mask is light and low volume to sit close to your face. The flared single lens offers a good field of view, including over the bridge of the nose.
The soft silicon skirt flexes to most face shapes, including smaller faces, and the double seal system is effective in blocking water entry. The mask folds flat for use as a spare in your BCD pocket.
As a quality mask, the F1 Cressi mask is also a great budget buy, and it comes in a ton of bright colors too—so your mask can suit your dive style!
If you want this mask with the matching snorkel as a set, shop here.
Shop: Amazon
Phantom Aquatics Panoramic Scuba Mask
This Phantom Aquatics snorkel mask allows a wide range of vision, due to its patented tri-window design. The soft silicone gives a good facial seal and the strap adjusts easily with a push button buckle system.
This low volume mask comes in different colors, so you’ll never mistake yours on the dive boat again!
You can also get the Phantom Aquatics Panoramic scuba mask set.
Shop: Amazon
WIN OUTDOOR Diving Mask Case
This Win Outdoor case fits most standard masks and has a zip to keep it super secure. The inside is soft lined to ensure your mask won’t get scratched, plus it has a carry clip to attach the case to your dive gear.
Shop: Amazon
XS Scuba Mask Pocket Bag
This XS mask bag has a soft padded inside to keep your mask packed safely and securely. It has a mesh bottom for quick drying and loops on the back so you can keep your snorkel close too! The opening is velcro, which closes securely. As it is made of fabric, it fits in your luggage better than a plastic box for traveling.
These are best diving masks!
Best Wetsuit for Travel
A wetsuit is another very personal item. You’ll want to check the temperature of the water of the place you are visiting. If going to a warm destination, you might be able to get away with taking only a shorty suit, or not wearing a wetsuit at all and just diving in a rash guard.
Wetsuits are usually available to rent, but as all scuba enthusiasts know—there are two types of diver, those that pee in their wetsuit, and those that lie about it…! If you really do want to pack light and must wear a rental, why not try a full body skin to wear underneath?
Shop Sizes XS-4XL: Amazon | Walmart
Cressi Front Zip 2mm Shorty Wetsuit
This Cressi shorty wetsuit is great for keeping the chill off during watersports or for wearing during warmer weather diving. The black with pink trim is stylish, and the edges are sealed for comfort. The front zipper gives you easy on and off access, and is handy to unzip between dives to keep cool.
The thinner neoprene folds pretty flat, if you put it at the base of your luggage for a trip. As a diver, you could even layer this over a full wetsuit to make it thicker for colder water dives.
Shop: Amazon
Henderson 3mm Thermoprene Full Female Wetsuit
Henderson wetsuits feel buttery soft to the touch, offering a 250% stretch, unlike some stiffer neoprenes of other brands. Their range is loved by women of all shapes and sizes, and they offer womens wet suit in tall and petite sizings, and go up to plus sizes too. The inside is cozy and smooth, thanks to their Aqua Silk lining and also have DuraTex stretch knee pads that make them more durable.
It has 5 star-rating on Amazon, and users rave about the quality of the fit, with one sharing, “Even if you don’t need a short length plus sized suit, the quality of the suit is outstanding. It definitely feels nicer than other known brand name suits I’ve tried.”
If you need a thicker suit, this also comes in as 5mm wetsuit womens.
Shop: Amazon
Skyone Full Bodysuit Rashguard
An alternative to packing a full wetsuit is this Skyone full body rash guard. With built in leggings, this all-in-one jumpsuit will give you full body UV protection. Great for wearing underneath a wetsuit, as it makes them much easier to slip on and off, and ideal for wearing under a rental wetsuit when you want to travel light but still partake in watersports.
Users warn it runs small though, so check the sizing chart carefully.
Shop: Amazon
SCUBAPRO Womens Rash Guard Long Sleeve
This eye catching SCUBAPRO rash guard has UPF50 protection. It’s great for warm water diving, water sports, or fun at the beach, and is bright enough to keep you visible by boats and others on the water.
The design is form fitting and users say it’s a little thicker than the usual swimming shirts. It’s easy to squeeze into a packing cube for your trip without compromising on space!
Check out the best womens wetsuit for your next adventure!
Best Scuba Socks and Boots
Another way to pack lighter for a dive trip is to leave the fins behind and just take your own fin socks or scuba boots. Water boots are handy as they can also double as beach shoes or be worn for a water park.
However, boots need heel strap fins and a lot of rental dive shops mainly use full foot fins.
Shop: Amazon
Cressi Water Sport Socks
If you don’t want to take your own fins and plan on renting some at your destination, pack a pair of these Cressi fin socks. They are designed to give you a snug fit when using a full foot fin, which is great if the rental store doesn’t quite have your size. They let you wear the fin for hours of dives or snorkeling, without chafing or getting blisters.
Shop: Amazon
Mares Neoprene 2mm Dive Boots
These Mares ankle booties have a thick textured sole and are lightweight. They can be worn with your ankle strap fins easily, or you may wish to use them to get a more comfortable fit with rental fins. The 2mm neoprene isn’t too thick, and they can be used for other watersports or as water shoes too.
Shop: Amazon
Cressi Minorca 3mm Neoprene Boots
If you have open back fins, or dive in colder water, you generally would use the fins with boots. These Cressi boots are 3mm thick so provide a light coverage for your feet. The thick rubber sole is sturdy, which is great for shore divers.
They come in both a long style, with zippers at the ankle, or as short ankle cuff boots.
You can also get this style in a 5mm boot too!
Best Anti-Fog
Nobody wants a foggy mask underwater! You go to see the fish and corals, so a defog liquid is essential to keep your mask crystal clear. Often dive shops don’t provide anti-fog, or only have dishwashing soap (which can sting your eyes if not rinsed carefully), or expect you to use the ‘natural’ way and spit in your mask.
A small bottle of defog isn’t expensive to pack, plus they are small enough to pack in your carry on.
Shop: Amazon
GEAR AID Sea Drops Scuba Mask Anti Fog and Cleaner
These Gear Aid anti-fog drops contain an alcohol free formula that performs in all water temperatures. Simply drop on, rub in and you’re good to go!
Shop: Amazon
Quick Spit Anti Fog Snorkel Mask Cleaner
This long-lasting formula of Quick Spit spray is natural and biodegradable. The non-toxic formula contains no harmful chemicals and works on all masks. Simply drop on, rub in, and you’re good to go!
Best Scuba Mask Strap Cover
If you’re diving at a busy shop, many divers come and go each day. If you have your own equipment you want it to be safe and looked after. While a lot of modern dive gear is colorful and bright, chances are you’re still going to find someone with a similar mask to you.
It could very easily end up being mixed in with the dive shop gear or be accidently taken by another diver. By putting on a bright mask strap and you’ll be able to spot yours a mile away! No more mix ups!
Cressi Neoprene Scuba Mask Strap Cover
This Cressi neoprene strap slips over the silicone of your scuba or snorkel mask strap to make it easier to slide on. It will make your mask easy to spot on a crowded dive boat and will also protect your hair from pulling when putting a mask on and off. Grab it in a selection of colors!
Shop: Amazon
Flow Scuba Gear Dive Mask Strap
This Flow diving mask strap covers come in a range of pretty colors and designs. They make your mask easy to identify, but also protect your hair from the annoying snags from the silicone of the mask strap.
Best Travel Snorkel Fins and Mask Sets
Shop: Amazon
Seavenger Aviator Travel Snorkel Gear
This Seavenger set has everything you need to hit the ocean. You get a shatterproof single lens mask with a clear skirt that lets in light and allows for a good range of vision. The swivel buckles adjust easily to fit your head, which can enable you to share one set with family and friends (less to pack!)
The dry top snorkel has a one way valve at the bottom to let blow out any water that gets in, plus a top valve that limits the water coming in.
The short fins have adjustable heel straps and will add propulsion to all kinds of swimmers, you can even wear them bare footed as the foot pocket is so soft. The mesh bag it comes with is handy for keeping it all together for your travels.
Should You Get Scuba Diving Travel Insurance?
If you plan on diving on your trip, it’s definitely important that you have appropriate travel insurance including scuba diving cover in case anything goes wrong.
Even if divers are trained well and you go with a guide or instructor, risks are minimized but accidents can still happen, and a dive incident requires immediate and special attention that can be costly.
PADI Travel recommends the Divers Alert Network (DAN), which offers specialist travel insurance for scuba divers. DAN travel insurance covers diving deeper than most recreational diving insurance, and also covers diving in overhead environments, such as wrecks and cenotes. You can get coverage for a single trip, or DAN annual travel insurance coverage.
What are your top tips for traveling with dive gear? Share with us below!
For more water activity tips, please read:
- 5 Scuba Diving Essentials for the First Time Diver
- Scuba Gear for Women: Cute Aqua Lung Diving Accessories
- Scuba Gear Packing Tips for Liveaboards and Diving Holidays
- What to Pack for a Galapagos Scuba Diving Trip
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This is amazing. Scuba travel is expensive enough without paying extra for overweight baggage. This is exactly what I needed to help me choose the right gear for a dive trip to Roatan with my daughter.
When your regulator failed, presumably you used your buddy’s octopus. What if their regulator was the one which failed? Some dive masters won’t let you dive without a second air supply.
Enjoyed your article. What was your replacement for the micron?
John, are you referring to doubles, pony bottles or other sources of redundant air?
I’ve done less that two dozen dives in the Caribbean, however I’ve never noticed ANY of the divers, including the dive masters, diving with redundant air. I doubt any of the shops rent this stuff and carrying that extra of your own stuff would be too heavy for air travel.
Thanks for a very useful post. Your review of the Zuma means I will keep looking. I have a question about the Mikron though. Do you find that that you get bubbles in your face when you exhale?
Hi Asif, let me look into this for you! 🙂
Scuba fins are the items that force me to check a bag. They are just too long. For that reason I have been looking at the Aqualung Hotshot, designed for carry on sized bags. Unfortunately they weigh more (3.28 lbs) than my current fullfoot Mares fins (2 lbs). They may be shorter but add extra weight. That’s a “no go” for me. The search continues.
Scubapro go fins are much better for travel
Also Scubapro mk11 and C350 or C370 is ideal for travelling
Excellent tips! Love it. I also want to the pink octopus haha
Thanks for the comment Odin! Glad you enjoyed the article! Happy travels!
Love your site! So helpful!! Do you have any snorkeling gear suggestions? Considering bringing my own. Many thanks!
Thanks for your question Kelly! This post actually has some great suggestions for you: https://travelfashiongirl.com/best-snorkel-gear-for-beginners/ hope this helps! Safe travels!
Alex, how much does your full scuba gear plus bag weigh? I always take my own gear with me and am curious how your weight compares to mine. For many destinations, I’ve found weight to be the issue.
In total my suitcase was 16 kilos and it was filled with all my belongings, scuba gear, and a couple of kilos worth of my husband’s things.
This gives me hope!!
I love scuba diving but I didnt think I could pack light with scuba equipment.
Thank you for sharing this.
Anyone can do it 🙂 It isn’t easy but totally doable!
Oh wow! This is an excellent review Alex! I am new to the world of snorkeling and diving and will definitely keep this gear in mind when I take the plunge and book my first liveaboard holiday 🙂
Adding this page to my favourtite bar… now!
Div
xx
Div 🙂 Welcome to this amazing new world! I hope you love it as much as I do!
I’d love to see exactly HOW you pack up your regulator and BCD. I’d also love to see it all in the bag. Just to get an idea. We’ve used crappy rolling bags in the past, not caring if they got wet or salty. LOL How does the bag hold up to moisture. Sometimes there’s no option to let our gear dry before it’s back in the bag.
Thanks!
Well, maybe that’s a good idea for a post! Thanks for reading Wendy!