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
Thanks for your list, very useful. Almost equal as mine 🙂
I miss a dive compass. You forgot or you don’t need it at the liveaboard.
Regards Pandit
Thanks for your comment Pandit. I’m actually writing this from a liveaboard in the Red Sea and so far I’ve not needed a compass in any of the dives we’ve done.