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