Updated on December 31, 2020

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 

Atomic Z3

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

scuba 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

Trident 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:

Dive Computers

Scuba Diving Masks

Scuba Regulators

Scuba BCDs

Scuba Diving Fins

Wetsuits for Diving

Dive Watches