Dive trip packing list 2026/27: what goes where
A dive trip is not an ordinary holiday with a wheeled suitcase. Regulators, a dive computer, a spare set of O-rings and often a camera with a housing all travel in your baggage, and none of it is easy to replace at a remote dive base. This guide has been updated for the 2026/27 season, from the autumn and winter Red Sea and Canary Islands trips to cold-water weekends in Europe. It follows the order in which you actually prepare: a calendar, documents, equipment, electronics, the case itself, airport logistics and a printable checklist.
The idea behind the whole list is simple. Sort everything into three groups: critical (cannot be replaced on the spot), replaceable (can be rented at the base) and spare (O-rings, batteries, straps). The critical group goes into a protective hard case, the replaceable group into a soft bag, and the spare group into a pocket where you can reach it quickly.
Preparation calendar
60 to 30 days before departure: servicing and bookings
Book regulator servicing at an authorised centre at least three weeks ahead, because seal kits often arrive in batches. Hand in the first and second stages together so that breathing resistance stays matched. In the same window, book sports baggage with your airline and ask whether a diving allowance exists on your route. Check the cylinder inspection date if you travel with your own tank, and order spare parts: a silicone mouthpiece, DIN O-rings and a mask strap.
30 to 7 days before departure: tests and paperwork
- Test the regulators and check for bubbling on inhalation.
- Inflate the BCD to maximum and leave it for an hour to look for a slow leak.
- Fit fresh batteries in the dive computer and set the date, depth alarms and oxygen mix.
- Check that your insurance covers the depth and gas mix of the dives you plan.
The last week: packing
Lay everything out on the floor and apply the three groups above. Weigh the case with the gear inside, because the airline weight limit applies to the whole case, not just the contents. Two days before the flight, complete online check-in and print the sports baggage confirmation. The evening before, photograph the contents for your insurer and switch on any tracker you put in the case.
Documents and insurance
Certificates and logbook
Take the plastic certification card and keep a PDF copy on your phone and in the cloud. Dive apps show digital cards, but signal is not guaranteed on a boat. Some bases ask for a recent logbook entry before nitrox or deeper dives, so keep the last few dives exported to a file or a USB stick.
Dive insurance
Dive insurance should cover treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, transport and repatriation. Equipment is often covered separately and sometimes only at part of its value, so read the terms for loss in the hold. Save the emergency numbers of your insurer and the nearest chamber in your phone and on paper.
Dive equipment list
Basic equipment
- Mask with tempered glass, plus a spare strap in a zip bag.
- Snorkel, preferably with a valve for easier clearing.
- Strap fins if you dive from a boat or a reef with neoprene boots.
- Wetsuit matched to the water: 5 mm wet for tropical water, 7 mm semi-dry for spring in the Atlantic or Adriatic, and a dry suit below about 15 °C. Pack talc and a spare neck seal for a dry suit.
Life support equipment
- BCD or wing with a clean inflator and coiled hoses held with Velcro.
- Regulator with a primary and backup second stage and a pressure gauge. Leave 5 to 10 bar in the first stage so that the connectors stay protected.
- Dive computer with a nitrox mode and a spare lithium battery in a flat case.
- A weight system. If you want to fly light, renting lead at the base is usually cheaper than paying for extra kilograms.
Safety accessories
- A surface marker buoy of about 140 cm with a non-return valve.
- A 30 m reel with a double-ender clip.
- A cutting tool and shears fixed to the weight belt or harness.
- A main light and a smaller backup light.
- A small strobe or whistle for the surface.
Electronics and recording the dive
Action cameras and compact cameras
For an action camera, take at least three batteries and mark them so that you rotate them in order. Cold water drains batteries faster than warm water, so charge them fully before each boat day. Compact cameras and mirrorless bodies in housings need a spare O-ring, silicone grease and a small hex key for the arms and strobes.
Lights, power and backups
Large video lights use lithium-ion packs, which belong in hand baggage with the contacts covered. As a rule of thumb, airlines accept spare lithium-ion batteries up to 100 Wh in the cabin, and larger packs need airline approval. Always check the current rules of your own airline before you fly. Bring one multi-port USB-C charger instead of several adapters, and copy footage to an SSD after every dive day, keeping the SSD in a different bag from the memory cards.
Small protected cases for phones, cards and keys
A dive boat is a wet place, and phones, keys and cards do better in a sealed case than in a pocket. The Peli 1020 is a bright yellow hard case with an IP67 rating (1 metre for 30 minutes), external dimensions of 17.32 x 12.07 x 5.38 cm and a weight of 250 g. It floats, and a built-in anchor point lets you clip it to a bag. The larger Peli 1060 has internal dimensions of 20.96 x 10.8 x 5.72 cm (1.29 l), weighs 0.47 kg with the rubber insert and floats with a buoyancy of 1.13 kg, so a passport, a phone and a set of keys fit together.
Peli 1020 - Waterproof Phone and Document Case
Peli 1060 - Waterproof Phone and Document Case
For a compact action camera kit, the Peli 1200 Protector Case takes a camera, batteries, mounts and accessories, and comes with Pick N Pluck foam or without foam.
Peli 1200 - Protector Case for Electronics
The dive case: why a normal suitcase falls short
A standard hard suitcase is made for clothes. Dive gear is heavy, often wet and salty, and the hold of an aircraft is not gentle. Hinges crack, seals do not exist, and a case without a pressure valve can lock itself shut at altitude. Peli Air cases are built for exactly this problem. They use the HPX2 polymer shell, which Peli rates as up to 40% lighter than comparable hard cases, while keeping IP67 waterproofing and MIL-SPEC shock performance. An automatic pressure equalization valve prevents vacuum lock, Press and Pull latches close with a click, and stainless-steel padlock protectors let you add your own lock.
If you are still deciding between a rigid case and a soft bag, read Waterproof Case or Dry Bag? 9 Situations Where Only One of Them Actually Works. If you have trouble opening a case after a flight, Why Won't My Peli Case Open? 8 Things the Pressure Valve Is Doing explains what the valve is doing.
Which Peli Air case for which dive trip
| Model | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Peli Air 1535 | Carry-on case with trolley handle, sized for the overhead bin of most major airlines | Dive computer, camera, lenses, light heads and batteries you want in the cabin |
| Peli Air 1615 | Rolling checked-baggage case, four interior options including TrekPak dividers | A full regulator, wing, mask and light set for a one-week trip |
| Peli Air 1637 | Deep wheeled case, available in black or orange, no foam, foam or padded dividers | Bulky housings, lights and fins that need depth |
| Peli Air 1646 | Large wheeled case with Pick N Pluck foam or no foam | A big photo kit or a two-diver gear set |
| Peli Air 1745 | Long, flat case, IP67 and MIL-SPEC C-4150J, no foam or Pick N Pluck foam | Long items such as tripods, rails and spear-length accessories |
Check the exact external size of the model against your airline's allowance before you buy, because limits on size and weight differ between carriers and between fare types.
Peli Air 1615 - Large Waterproof Case
Peli Air 1637 - Deep Gear Case
Peli Air 1646 - Large Wheeled Case
Peli Air 1745 - Long Case for Fins and DPV
Packing the inside of the case
- Choose the TrekPak divider option on the 1615 or 1535 if your kit changes between trips, and Pick N Pluck foam if it stays the same.
- Coil hoses in a loose U shape, never a tight S, to reduce stress during vibration.
- Keep a silica gel sachet near the light ports and the housing.
- Put the insurance card and a printed address tag under the lid, and add a tracker if you use one.
- Do not seal a wet wetsuit into a case for days. Dry it first, or use a separate dry bag.
Clothing and personal items
On the boat
- A UV rashguard, which dries in minutes and takes little space.
- A windproof softshell or hoodie, because wind on the water chills far more than the air temperature suggests.
- A thin beanie, since much of your heat loss between dives is through the head.
- Neoprene boots with a hard sole for rocky entries, and light flip-flops for the base.
- A quick-drying microfibre towel and polarised sunglasses.
Personal first-aid kit
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Seasickness tablets | Take before setting off, not after |
| Painkillers | Ear, muscle and head pain after a long boat day |
| Hydrogel plasters | Heels rubbed by fins |
| Antiseptic spray | Minor cuts from the reef |
| Ear drops | Prevention of outer ear infections, as advised by your doctor |
A cold-weather trip changes the list. For dry suit weekends and other cold-water plans, see 10 Winter Water Adventures in Europe 2026/27: From Ice Diving to Cold-Water Surfing.
Airport logistics and baggage rules
Sports baggage: what to check before you book
Every airline treats dive equipment differently. Some include it in the normal allowance, some sell a sports baggage option, and some apply a flat surcharge for a single heavier item. Fees and limits change often, so check the current policy of your airline before you pay, and screenshot the confirmation page. Book at least a day ahead if the airline requires notice for sports equipment.
| Question to ask the airline | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| What is the maximum weight and size of a sports item? | Decides whether a case fits the standard allowance or needs a special fare |
| Is advance notice required? | Missing it can lead to refusal at the desk |
| What is the fee online and at the airport? | Airport fees are often higher |
| Is the case treated as oversized baggage? | Oversized items go to a separate belt and a separate collection point |
Batteries and the cabin
Spare lithium-ion batteries and power banks must travel in hand baggage, not in the checked case, with the contacts covered. Power banks and lights above 100 Wh need airline approval, and packs above 160 Wh generally cannot be carried at all on passenger flights. For the exact rules of your airline, check its dangerous goods page before departure.
Marking, tracking and connections
- Attach a laminated address tag with a phone number that includes the country code.
- Use a lock that is accepted for travel, or the stainless-steel padlock protectors on the case.
- Allow 90 minutes or more for a connection if you travel with oversized baggage, because it is moved separately.
- Photograph the contents before you check the case in.
Printable checklist: 48 hours before departure
In the hard case
- Regulators, backup second stage, gauge and hoses
- Wing or BCD with the inflator checked
- Main mask and spare, with spare straps
- Fins and spare fin straps
- Surface marker buoy, reel and clip
- Cutting tool and shears
- Main light and backup light, batteries removed or taped
- Spare O-rings, silicone spray and grease
- Silica gel sachets
- Address tag and tracker
In hand baggage
- Dive computer and a PDF of its manual
- Camera, housing, memory cards and SSD
- All lithium-ion batteries and power banks, contacts covered
- Certification card, logbook and insurance details
- Softshell, rashguard and beanie
- Small first-aid kit and a plug adapter with a multi-port charger
In the mesh bag for the boat
- Wetsuit and neoprene boots
- Compression cube with technical clothing
- Quick-drying towel
- 10 l dry bag for phone and T-shirt
Final 48 hours
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| 48 h before | Weigh the case and compare it with the airline limit |
| 36 h before | Charge all batteries and switch on the tracker |
| 24 h before | Check in online and print the sports baggage confirmation |
| 12 h before | Treat zips and seals with silicone spray |
| 3 h before | Leave for the airport with documents in hand baggage |
Common diver packing mistakes
- Leaving regulator servicing to the last minute, when a damaged part can no longer be replaced in time.
- Putting lithium-ion batteries in the checked case.
- Packing a wet wetsuit in a sealed case for the flight home.
- Skipping the surface marker buoy and reel, which many bases do not rent out.
- Not checking equipment insurance, which may pay only part of the value.
Frequently asked questions
Which Peli case is best for a first dive trip?
For most divers who bring their own regulator, computer and a light, the Peli Air 1615 is the simplest choice for checked baggage, and the Peli Air 1535 works as a cabin case for electronics. Choose the interior option that matches how much your kit changes.
Can I carry my dive computer and batteries in the cabin?
Yes, and you should. Dive computers, cameras and spare lithium-ion batteries are best kept in hand baggage. Check your airline's limits for batteries above 100 Wh.
Does a waterproof case stop my gear getting wet on the boat?
The Peli 1020, 1060 and Air series cases are all rated IP67. They protect against splashes and short immersion, not against permanent underwater use.
Do I need a pressure valve?
Yes. Without one, air pressure differences can make a sealed case hard to open after a flight. Peli Air cases include an automatic pressure equalization valve.
Summary
A good dive trip starts at home. Plan the servicing 60 days ahead, split your gear into critical, replaceable and spare, protect the critical group in a hard case such as a Peli Air 1615, keep batteries and electronics in the cabin and confirm sports baggage rules with your airline. For related reading, see First Dive Course 2026/27: 10 Things Beginners Lose, Break or Forget and What Survives a Capsize: 9 Things to Waterproof on a Sailing Trip. Pack sensibly, and the only surprise on the trip will be the shoal at the safety stop.
