Red Sea Liveaboard Packing List

 

Here’s the packing list I use when I’m preparing for a Red Sea Liveaboard SCUBA holiday.

I always get everything together in one place before I put anything into a case.

This helps because:

  • I get an overview of what I’m packing
  • I can immediately see if I’m packing 2 of something
  • I can see if I’ve forgotten to put something in a case as it’ll still be out

Also, please read my Red Sea Liveaboard Tips and Tricks article.

Hand-luggage

  • Regs (Apeks XTX 200)
  • Dive computer (primary) (Shearwater Perdix)
  • Dive computer (backup) (Vyper Air)
  • Dive Computer Transmitter (loose, not fitted)
  • Primary Light-For-Me 4-TEC with Dive Rite quick connect for 2” webbing fitted
  • Lip balm
  • Sunglasses
  • Baby wipes
  • Paracetamol
  • Ibuprofen
  • Benadryl blue
  • Macbook Pro
  • Kindle
  • Headphones
  • Powerbank
  • iPhone
  • Wallet
  • “Outbound” Travel documents
    • Passport
    • Scuba qualification card (will this allow for extra baggage allowance with Thomson?)
    • Boarding pass (if printed)
    • Holiday booking
    • Extra legroom booking (if booked)
    • Parking booking

Dive gear

  • Dive rite harness & wing
  • Quick-release weight pockets for harness
  • Custom divers weight pockets
  • 2 x double-ended boltsnaps (1 attached to harness – doubles as tank banger)
  • Line cutter (threaded onto harness)
  • Bungee loop for backup torch on harness
  • Regulators (Apeks XTX200) (in hand luggage)
  • Mares fins
  • Snorkel
  • DSMB
  • Finger spool & double ended bolt snap
  • Mask (black)
  • Spare mask (clear)
  • 1 x Light-For-Me 3XPG torch
  • Primary dive computer (Shearwater Perdix) (hand luggage)
  • Backup dive computer (Suunto Vyper Air) (hand luggage)
  • Transmitter (in hand luggage, but not fitted)
  • Spare torch batteries
  • Dive computer battery kit (Suunto Vyper Air)
  • Spare AA batteries (Shearwater Perdix)
  • 4-TEC charger
  • Boots (Waterproof)
  • Lycra socks (2 pairs)
  • 3.5mm wetsuit (Waterproof W3)
  • 5mm wetsuit (Waterproof W1)
  • Rash vest (Full length)
  • Neoprene bandanna (Scap) and/or Bare beanie

Toolkit

  • Bungee (varying thicknesses)
  • Cigarette lighter
  • Permanent marker
  • Battery kit for dive computer
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Multi-allen key tool – make sure it fits
  • Beaver dive multi-tool
  • Cone spanners that fit Apeks regs

“Save-a-dive” kit

  • O rings (nitrox)
  • Silicone grease
  • Zip ties (small and large)
  • Spare mask strap
  • Spare regular mouthpiece (Apeks)

Electricals

  • iPhone
  • Headphones
  • MacBook Pro
  • Kindle
  • Multi-way USB charger
  • Toothbrush charger
  • Reliable alarm clock
  • Cables
    • HDMI cable

Food/Drink

  • Biscuits/chocolate/snacks
  • Lots of sweets (gummy bears, jelly babies, fizzy things to hand out)

Medicines

  • Decongestants
    • Sudafed blocked-nose spray
  • Sun
    • SPF15 Sun cream
    • Sun stick (1st)
  • Painkillers
    • Paracetamol
    • Ibuprofen
  • Sings/bites
    • Sing relief
    • Hydrocortisone cream
    • Benadryl white (antihistamine)
  • Allergies
    • Benadryl blue+white
  • Ears
    • Swim-Ear drops
  • Stomach
    • Rennie
    • Rehydration salts (lots)
  • Skin
    • Fabric plasters – not the clear waterproof ones
    • Liquid skin

Wash bag

  • Washing
    • Shampoo (duty free)
    • Conditioner (duty free)
    • Shower gel (duty free)
    • Shower scrunchie
  • Skin
    • Nivea (tube)
  • Shaving
    • Razor
    • Shave gel
    • Aftershave (tiny bottle)
  • Deodorant
  • Lip balm (2nd)
  • Hair product
  • Toothbrush + toothpaste

Clothes

  • Sun hat
  • Boxers x 7
  • Swimming trunks
    • At least 2 for under wetsuit
    • At least 2 for swimming/sunbathing
  • Tops
    • Thin fleece (evening/travel)
    • 7 x T shirts  (day)
    • 7 x Lightweight polo shirts (evening)
  • Bottoms
    • Lightweight shorts (day)
    • Travel in denim shorts (rewear in the evening/on shore)
  • Flip flops (wear for travel)

Travel paperwork

  • Passport
  • Flight tickets / boarding passes
  • Parking details
  • Holiday booking confirmation
  • Airport lounge booking confirmation
  • Extra legroom booking confirmation

Dive paperwork

  • Dive qualification cards
    • PADI Tec Instructor card
    • PADI Nitrox Card (40%)
  • Blank dive log book pages (enough for 22 dives)
  • Copy of latest HSE medical
  • DAN Insurance Card

Misc

  • Money for tips (£80 sterling)
  • Money to pay end-of-week balance
  • Money to buy extra-legroom seat at check-in (~60 GBP)
  • Soft wheeled hold-all
  • Swim ear plugs
  • Tinted swim goggles (for last day at hotel)
  • Lip balm (1st)
  • Sunglasses
  • Clothes pegs (non-metal)
  • Large non-marking plastic bulldog/crocodile/alligator clips
    (to secure stuff to railings i.e. wetsuit when drying)
  • Water bottle marking device (coloured bungee)

Stationery

  • Pens x 2
  • Business cards to hand out