10 Things to Bring with You on a Dive Boat

When packing for a dive vacation, you generally think of all the equipment you will need while in the water, or things you will need for when you are back at the resort.  But what about for those times you are cruising to your dive site or resting out your surface interval on your dive boat?  What items would make these times more comfortable?

Well, here is my list of things I take along with me on a dive boat.  The list is not exhaustive, and of course you'll personalize it, but I think it is a good starting point for any diver.  Keep in mind some of the items may vary depending on the climate you are diving in.  I composed this list with tropical waters in mind.

Dry Bag

First, I suggest purchasing a good dry bag from your local dive shop or outdoor recreational sporting goods store. It does not have to be humongous. Just big enough to carry the personal essentials you want to keep dry on a dive boat. Everyone knows no matter where you put your things on a dive boat, water is everywhere and always seems to find your stuff.

Sunglasses

Personally, I never pack the most expensive pair of sunglasses I could possibly find. I have a tendency to break or lose sunglasses all the time. I do, however, make sure that the budget glasses I do buy have at least 100% UVA and UVB protection to provide essential protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. I do prefer polarized sunglasses to reduce glare when spending a lot of time on the water. Also, you might want to think of purchasing sunglasses that fully cover your eyes. Although not my personal style, some people prefer wrap-around lenses to block out light and glare from the side, as well as the front.

Hat

Remember to pack a hat for added sun protection. Your dive boat may not have a canopy. Or maybe you want to catch some rays during your surface interval but want to hide your eyes from the glare. A great sun hat can do this for you. You can find some great hats at your local outdoor recreational retailer or online as well. What I look for in a hat is good ventilation, wicking material, washable, and easily foldable for packing convenience. Make sure it has a good strap to keep it on your head when you encounter strong sea breezes. And you might want to consider the extra protection of a neck cape to protect you from becoming a "redneck".

Sunscreen

Believe it  or not, sunburn is one of the leading injuries of scuba divers. Make sure to prevent this by remembering to pack sunscreen in your bag. And, just like equalizing, remember to apply it early and often while on the boat. If you can, try to purchase a "coral reef safe" sunscreen to prevent killing the reefs we love to dive. There are a number of organic or biodegradable sunscreens out there now that can be found by an easy search online. Look for a brand that uses physical sunblocks such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide instead of chemical ones. Look at the ingredient lists to make sure reef-damaging substances such as oxybenzone, butylparaben, octinoxate and 4-methylbenzylidine camphor (all of which have been shown to cause coral bleaching even at low levels) aren’t included.

Lip Balm

The sun and wind can also be damaging to your lips as well. I always like to throw a lip balm into my bag and use it in between dives to prevent my lips from cracking. There are also a number of lip balms out there today with sunscreen for that extra prevention against skin cancer.

Cover-Up

While still on the subject of sun protection, remember to always wear or bring some type of cover-up on the boat with you whether it be a rashguard, T-shirt, or even a sarong. Something comfy and quick-drying to cover and protect you from the sun and is easy to throw on between dive sites, or for the ride from and back to the resort. A rash guard is not only good for between dives to protect you from the sun and keep you cool while it air dries, but if you are not wearing some type of wet suit, this type of cover-up can protect you from jelly fish stings or accidental coral scrapes.

Towel - Quick Dry Towel

Now if your boat doesn't provide towels, you may want to borrow one from your room to dry off your face, rub down after a dive, or lay out on the boat deck to catch some rays. If the room towels are too bulky to pack in your dry back, you may want to invest in a "quick-dry" towel. Once again, things like this can be purchased from any outdoor recreation retailer. Quick dry towels are lightweight, compact and often come in a handy mesh pouch for easier packing.

Water Bottle

If your dive boat does not provide refreshments, you may want to throw a well-sealed water bottle into your bag - preferably a reusable one if you want to promote good stewardship of our environment.

Snack

Along with water, if your the type that needs a bite to eat between dives and your dive boat doesn't provide any food, pack a snack. I might grab some fruit from my breakfast or maybe a muffin. Or if you like to back snack/energy bars for your flights to and from your destination, you may want to throw in a few more for the boats. You can always ask your travel agent before you go if snacks are provided on the boat as part of your package so you can plan ahead.

Camera

Finally, I love to snap shots of everyone on the boat or scenery we are passing by, but I don't want to drag my underwater camera and housing out of the camera bucket, so I pack my "land" camera in among the other things in my dry bag. I also include backup batteries and memory cards for whatever camera I bring (including my underwater camera) and a lens cleaner kit just in case.




So there it is. My list of 10 thing I can't do without so I throw them into my dry bag to haul onto the dive boat with me along with my other gear. I'm sure you have other items you may consider essential. I'd love to know. Be sure to share your "must-haves" down below if you do.

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