Do you ever wonder what scuba diving gear you need? You are not alone. It’s one of the struggles many new divers face.
Questions like “What is this even used for?” and “Do I really need this?” fill your head as you browse online for your first set of scuba equipment.
Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Sit back and read our scuba diving equipment list to get you started.
HOW TO USE THIS SCUBA DIVING PACKING LIST
Before we jump into the world of scuba gear, I want to give you a quick rundown on how to get the most out of this list. When reading, keep in mind that this list is intentionally comprehensive so you don’t forget anything important. Not every diver will need to bring every item.
Next to each item, you will see a few categories, let me explain what they mean.
PURPOSE: What it is used for, a quick insight on why you might need that piece of gear.
PRICE RANGE: It’s good to get an idea of how much each item will cost so you can budget accordingly.
LOOK FOR: Some quick tips on how to choose your gear.
OUR PICK: Our choice based on the value and quality of the product.
OUR DIVE TRAVEL PICK: Our choice for dive trips. These pieces of gear tend to be lighter and more compact than their traditional counterparts.
LEARN MORE: A full article on how to choose that particular piece of gear.
BEST MODELS: An article about the top gear of the year.
1. THE ESSENTIALS
BUOYANCY CONTROL DEVICE – BCD
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Control Bouyancy Underwater & Keep You Floating At Surface
PRICE RANGE: $250 – $800
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Fit, Accessory Clips
OUR LOCAL DIVING PICK: Aqualung HD Pro
OUR TRAVEL PICK: Cressi Travelight BCD
LEARN MORE: How To Choose A BCD >>
BEST MODELS: Best Scuba BCDs Of The Year >>
SCUBA REGULATOR
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Makes It Possible To Breath From Tank
PRICE RANGE: $150 – $1,300
LOOK FOR: Ease of Breathing, Quality Materials & Construction
OUR LOCAL DIVING PICK: Atomic Z3 Regulator
OUR TRAVEL PICK: Apex Flight
LEARN MORE: How To Choose A Diving Regulator >>
BEST MODELS: Best Diving Regulators Of The Year >>
OCTO REGULATOR
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: In Case You Need To Share Air With Your Buddy
PRICE RANGE: $150 – $900
LOOK FOR: Ease Of Breathing, Quality Materials & Construction
OUR LOCAL DIVING PICK: Atomic Z3 Octo
OUR TRAVEL PICK: Mares Instinct Octo
LEARN MORE: How To Choose A Regulator >>
BEST MODELS: Best Regulators Of The Year >>
DEPTH & PRESSURE GAUGE
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Measure Remaining Air In Tank And Your Depth
PRICE RANGE: $80 – $150
LOOK FOR: Compact Design & Quality Build
OUR LOCAL DIVING PICK: Cressi Sub 200
BEST MODELS: Best Scuba Gauges Of The Year >>
DIVING MASK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Allows You To See Underwater
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $250
LOOK FOR: Fit To Face & Comfort
OUR LOCAL DIVING PICK: Scubapro Synergy Trufit Mask
LEARN MORE: How To Choose A Diving Mask >>
BEST MODELS: Best Diving Masks Of The Year >>
SCUBA FINS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Allows You To Move Underwater
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $300
LOOK FOR: Efficient Design, Comfort & Fit
OUR LOCAL DIVING PICK: Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Fin
OUR TRAVEL PICK: Mares Wave Fin
LEARN MORE: How To Choose Diving Fins >>
BEST MODELS: Best Diving Fins Of The Year >>
DIVE COMPUTER
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Calculate No Decompression Limits, Dive Time and No Flight Time
PRICE RANGE: $200 – $1,500+
LOOK FOR: Accuracy, Ease Of Use, Readability
OUR PICK: Shearwater Research
OUR BACKUP COMPUTER PICK: Suunto Zoop Novo
LEARN MORE: How To Choose A Dive Computer >>
BEST MODELS: Best Dive Computers Of The Year >>
WEIGHTS & BELT OR POCKETS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Carry All The Gear You Need To Survive On The Trail
PRICE RANGE: $150 – $400
LOOK FOR: Comfort When Carrying Heavy Loads & A Good Fit
OUR SOFT WEIGHT PICK: Sea Pearls Soft Mesh Weights
OUR HARD WEIGHT PICK: Vinyl Coat Lace Through Weight
OUR WEIGHT BELT PICK: Riffe Rubber Weight Belt
SCUBA TANK
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Carry Air Underwater
PRICE RANGE: $150 – $400
LOOK FOR: Quality Materials & Construction
OUR ALUMINUM PICK: Luxfor Brush Aluminum Tank
OUR STEEL PICK: Faber FX Steel Blue
BEST MODELS: Best Dive Tanks Of The Year >>
2. EXPOSURE GEAR
WETSUIT
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Keep You Warm While Underwater & Protect Skin
PRICE RANGE: $80 – $500
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Quality Neoprene, Strong Zippers
OUR 3MM PICK: Cressi Lido Shorty
OUR 5MM PICK: ScubaPro Everflex
OUR 7MM PICK: Xcel Polar Thermoflex
LEARN MORE: How To Choose A Diving Wetsuit >>
BEST MODELS: Best Diving Wetsuits Of The Year >>
DRYSUIT
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Alternative To Wetsuit For Cold Water Diving
PRICE RANGE: $800 – $2500+
LOOK FOR: Comfort, Fit, Accessory Clips
OUR DRY SUIT PICK: DUI Drysuit
BEST MODELS: Best Diving Drysuits Of The Year >>
THERMO LAYERS: Best Drysuit Thermo Layers Of The Year >>
GLOVES
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Keep Hands Warm Underwater
PRICE RANGE: $15 – $50
LOOK FOR: Warmth & Quality Construction
OUR PICK: NeoSport Gloves
BEST MODELS: Best Dive Gloves Of The Year >>
BOOTS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Keep Feet Warm Underwater
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $60
LOOK FOR: Comfort & Quality Sole
OUR PICK: NeoSport HiTop Zipper Boot
BEST MODELS: Best Dive Boots Of The Year >>
HOODED VEST
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Add Extra Layer Of Warmth
PRICE RANGE: $80 – $150
LOOK FOR: Fit & Quality Of Neoprene
OUR PICK: Aqualung Aquaflex Vest
3. ACCESSORIES
SNORKEL
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Breath With Head Underwater At The Surface
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $50
LOOK FOR: Easy Breathing & Quality Mouth Piece
OUR PICK: Cressi Alpha Snorkel
BEST MODELS: Best Dry Snorkels Of The Year >>
DIVE LIGHT
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Night Diving & See Into Cracks
PRICE RANGE: $80 – $500+
LOOK FOR: Beam Angle, Material Construction
OUR PICK: Bigblue 1000 Lumen
BEST MODELS: Best Dive Lights Of The Year >>
DIVE KNIFE
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Cut Away Kelp Or Nets If You Become Entangled
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $300
LOOK FOR: Quality Material & Best Blade For Your Needs
OUR PICK: Atomic Aquatics Ti6 Knife
BEST MODELS: Best Dive Knives Of The Year >>
COMPASS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Navigate Underwater
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $150
LOOK FOR: Easy To Read & High Tilt Compensation
OUR PICK: Suunto SK7 Compass
BEST MODELS: Top Dive Compasses Of The Year
SAVE A DIVE KIT
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Replace Broken Parts Fast
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $50
LOOK FOR: Quality Replacement Pieces
OUR LOCAL DIVING PICK: XS Scuba Save A Dive Kit
DIVER TOOL KIT
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Make Gear Repairs
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $150
LOOK FOR: Quality Tools & Organizing Case
OUR LOCAL DIVING PICK: Deluxe Diver Tool & Repair Kit
HANGERS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Hang Gear To Dry & Store
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $50
LOOK FOR: Non-Corroding & Strong
WETSUIT HANGER: XS Scuba Folding Hanger
BCD HANGER: Underwater Kinetics BCD Hanger
ACCESSORY HANGER: XS Scuba Accessory Hanger
WETSUIT / DRYSUIT SHAMPOO
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Clean Algae, Bacteria, Chlorine, and Salt FromWetsuit & Drysuit
PRICE RANGE: $5 – $15
LOOK FOR: Safe To Use On Neoprene
OUR PICK: M Essential Wetsuit Shampoo
WETSUIT CHANGING PAD
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Protects Wetsuit From Sand and Dirt and Keeps Car Clean
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $30
LOOK FOR: Converts To Wet Bag
OUR PICK: COR Wetsuit Changing Mat
MASK STRAP WRAPPER
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Makes It Easier To Slide Mask On & Off
PRICE RANGE: $5 – $10
LOOK FOR: Comfortable
OUR PICK: Mask Strap Wrapper
DEFOG
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Prevent Mask From Fogging Up
PRICE RANGE: $5 – $10
LOOK FOR: Non-toxic, Biodegradable & Alcohol free
OUR PICK: McNett Sea Drops
DIVE LOG & PEN
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Keep Track Of Dives
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $30
LOOK FOR: 3 Ring Binder
OUR PICK: Diver Down Flag Dive Log
EXTRA DIVE LOG PAGES: Dive Log Refill Pages
TANK BANGER
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Get Your Dive Buddies Attention
PRICE RANGE: $3 – $10
LOOK FOR: Quality Build
OUR PICK: Trident Tank Banger
4. SAFETY GEAR
SURFACE MARKER BOUY (SMB)
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Signal To Boats Where You Are Underwater
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $100
LOOK FOR: Easy To Use, Bright Color & Long
OUR PICK: Scuba Choice 6′ Marker
BEST MODELS: Best SMBs of the Year >>
REEL
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Attaches To SMB So It Can Be Deployed Underwater
PRICE RANGE: $10 – $100
LOOK FOR: Stainless Steel Carabiner, Sufficient Length
OUR LOCAL DIVING PICK: Scuba Max Dive Reel
OUR DIVE TRAVEL PICK: Compact Finger Spool
WHISTLE
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Signal To Boats Where You Are
PRICE RANGE: $5 – $20
LOOK FOR: Made To Be Used When Wet
OUR PICK: Scuba Choice Whistle
FIRST AID KIT
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Small Injuries Or Stabilize Until Medical Care Arrives
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $60
LOOK FOR: Sufficient Supplies & Waterproof Container
OUR PICK: Waterproof First Aid Kit
DIVER BELOW MARKER
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Signal To Boats That You Are Underwater
PRICE RANGE: $80 – $150
LOOK FOR: Compact Design & Quality Build
OUR PICK: Diver Below Inflatable Float
SPARE AIR
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Extra Air
PRICE RANGE: $200 – $300
LOOK FOR: Fill Adapter, Connects To BCD
OUR PICK: Spare Air 3000 Kit
MARINE RESCUE RADIO WITH GPS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Communicate With Nearby Boats & Call For Help
PRICE RANGE: $300 – $500
LOOK FOR: Transmit Your GPS position & Summon Help
OUR PICK: Nautilus Lifeline GPS Device
5. BAGS & CARRYING GEAR
DIVE BAG
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Carry All You Need For Diving
PRICE RANGE: $50 – $400
LOOK FOR: Sufficent Space & Quality Materials
OUR PICK: Cressi Moby
BEST MODELS: Best Dive Bags Of The Year >>
REGULATOR BAG
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Protect Your Regulator While Traveling
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $50
LOOK FOR: Padding & Quality Materials
OUR PICK: Akona Regulator Bag
DIVE COMPUTER BAG
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Protects Your Dive Computer & Instruments While Traveling
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $50
LOOK FOR: Padding & Quality Materials
OUR PICK: Cressi Instrument Bag
WEIGHT BAG
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Carry & Store Your Weights
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $60
LOOK FOR: Strong Materials & Sufficient Space
OUR PICK: Akona Weight Bag
MASK BAG
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
PURPOSE: Protect Your Mask While Traveling
PRICE RANGE: $20 – $40
LOOK FOR: Padding & Compact Size
OUR PICK: Akona Mask Bag
READ MORE
For more of our top scuba diving gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer's guides:
