What to pack for your next liveaboard?

What to Pack for a Liveaboard Diving Holiday

Packing for a holiday is always a bit stressful, but when your holiday is on a liveaboard, it is even more important to pack correctly. Once you are out at sea, there are very limited shopping options if you realise you have forgotten something.

There is another good reason not to overpack either: bringing too much luggage can mean paying expensive excess baggage fees at the airport. The trick is to bring everything you genuinely need while avoiding items that will simply take up valuable space and weight in your suitcase.

In this guide, we will help you pack the essentials for your next liveaboard diving holiday, from your dive equipment and camera gear to clothes, toiletries, medicines, documents and a few useful extras.

What Dive Gear to Pack for Your Next Liveaboard

If you choose to bring your own diving equipment, your dive gear will probably take up most of the space and weight in your suitcase, and that is perfectly fine. Before putting everything away, however, take the time to check the condition of your equipment and have anything that needs servicing looked after before travelling.

There is nothing more frustrating than carrying a heavy piece of equipment halfway around the world, only to discover that it does not work when you arrive and you still need to rent another one!

Preparing dive equipment for a liveaboard diving holiday — Preparing your dive equipment before packing for a liveaboard holiday

Regulator and BCD

Regulator: If you do not use your regulator regularly, make sure its service is not overdue. Protect it as much as possible in your luggage to avoid damage. A cushioned regulator bag is designed to do exactly that, although it also takes up valuable space and adds weight. You can also wrap your wetsuit around the regulator; it does the job perfectly and makes good use of the space in your luggage.
BCD: Do not forget your weight pockets if your BCD requires them. Of course, leave your weights and weight belt at home: your liveaboard will have weights available onboard.

Mask, Fins, Snorkel and Boots

Mask and fins: Before leaving, check that your mask is in good condition and does not leak, and make sure your fins still fit comfortably. Finding a mask that fits your face properly is particularly important. If you have the space, taking a spare mask can also be useful in case of a problem.
Anti-fog spray: This is something you can leave at home if you are short on space. Most boats, including ours, provide soap that can be used to clean your mask before diving.
Snorkel: You may or may not use a snorkel while scuba diving, but it is always nice to have one if you want to go snorkelling during a surface interval.
Boots or neoprene socks: Depending on your fins, you may find it more comfortable to wear boots or socks. Some divers swear by using both: socks are easy to pull on, while boots can make getting into some fins more comfortable.

Mask, fins, boots and snorkel to pack for a liveaboard — Mask, fins, boots and snorkel: the basic accessories for your diving holiday

Dive Computer and Compass

Dive computer: Especially on a liveaboard where you may do up to four dives per day, a dive computer is an important piece of equipment. It takes very little space in your luggage and some models can even double as a travel watch. A dive computer is also one of the more expensive pieces of equipment to rent, so it is one of the first items we recommend divers bring with them.
Compass: A compass is particularly useful if you are diving unguided. Check with your liveaboard or dive operator to find out whether you need to bring one.

SMB, Reel and Reef Hook

SMB and reel: These are particularly useful in areas with strong currents and could save your life. A serious liveaboard will generally provide an SMB for divers who do not have one, but using your own, particularly together with your own reel, may be more comfortable and familiar.
Reef hook: A reef hook allows you to keep your hands free in strong current without damaging the reef. However, always check with your dive operator before packing one because reef hooks are not permitted everywhere. In the Similan National Park, for example, reef hooks and gloves are prohibited inside the national park, so divers who bring them are asked to keep them on the boat. They are allowed and recommended for cruises in Myanmar, where currents can be stronger at times.

Wetsuit, Sharkskin and Gloves

Wetsuit or sharkskin: Choose your exposure protection according to the temperatures of the places where you will be diving. Water in Thailand and Myanmar’s Andaman Sea is between 27 and 29°C. We recommend a long 3 mm wetsuit, which suits most divers, but everyone’s tolerance to heat and cold is different, so dress accordingly 🙂 A wetsuit is also useful when packing because you can wrap your regulator, mask or camera in it to protect more fragile equipment inside your luggage.
Gloves: In warm water, gloves are really unnecessary and are forbidden in many national parks. If you do wear gloves where they are permitted, they should never become an excuse to touch anything.

Choosing a wetsuit according to the water temperature on a liveaboard diving holiday — Choose your wetsuit according to the water temperature and your own tolerance to cold

What Photo Gear to Pack for Your Next Liveaboard

If you are into underwater photography, you will need a little more space for your camera setup. A liveaboard can be a fantastic place to photograph marine life, but forgetting one small piece of equipment can be frustrating once you are far from shore.

Camera: Make sure you have enough space on your SD card, or bring several cards. Check that your batteries will last long enough and bring spare batteries if necessary.
Housing: Check the O-ring carefully and apply silicone grease to it where appropriate.
Lenses: Fisheye, wide-angle and macro lenses can all have their place depending on what you want to photograph.
Strobes: Check the O-rings and charge the batteries before leaving.
Tray, arms, clamps and tools: Remember the small items such as floating arms, Allen keys, screwdrivers and other tools specific to your setup.
Fibre-optic cable: Check its condition for scratches or kinks.

Underwater photography equipment and photography course with The Smiling Seahorse — Getting your underwater photography equipment ready for a liveaboard trip

There are a few more items that can make life easier for photographers onboard:

Diving light: Most liveaboard cruises offer night dives, so it is advisable to have your own dive light. Even during the day, a flashlight can be useful when you want to see better into cracks and crevices.
Portable hard drive: A portable hard drive gives you somewhere to save all your pictures during the trip.
Chargers and cables: Bring chargers and cables for all your devices.
Extra batteries: Spare batteries are useful when you are taking photographs throughout the day.
Flash diffusers and backscatter: These can be useful if you use a polycarbonate transparent housing.
Snoot: If you use one for your photography, make sure it makes it into the camera bag.
Laptop computer: A laptop allows you to review the pictures taken during the dives.

Clothes and Shoes You’ll Need on Your Next Liveaboard

One of the great things about a liveaboard holiday is that you do not need to bring a huge wardrobe. You will spend much of your time diving, relaxing and enjoying the boat, so keep your clothing light and comfortable.

Bathing suits: This is probably what you will wear most of the time. If you do not like wearing a wet swimsuit, pack more than one.
No need for shoes: You will take off your shoes when you board the boat and pick them up again when you arrive at the port, so forget your high heels at home 🙂
Light and comfortable clothing: A few pairs of shorts, T-shirts and summer dresses should be sufficient.
Warm clothing: Even if you are cruising in a tropical destination, you may need warmer clothes. Take a hoodie for cooler evenings.

Going barefoot onboard a liveaboard diving boat — No need for high heels on a liveaboard: comfortable and practical is the way to go

Medicine to Pack on Your Next Liveaboard

Any professional liveaboard, such as The Smiling Seahorse, carries first-aid kits onboard, but you may still want to pack a few personal medicines if you do not know the operator you are travelling with or if you have favourite brands that you prefer to use.

Ear and eye drops
Antibacterial cream or powder: Useful for small wounds or coral cuts.
Seasickness pills: Even if you are not prone to seasickness, spending a long time on a boat in different weather conditions can be difficult.
Anti-diarrhoea medication: Food on the boat may be different from your usual diet depending on the country and can sometimes cause intestinal problems.
Analgesics and pills for sore throats
Waterproof plasters and bandages

First aid kit and personal medicines to pack for a liveaboard — A few personal medicines and first-aid essentials are worth packing for a liveaboard trip

Toiletries to Bring on Your Next Liveaboard

Like the other products, carry the minimum of toiletries. There is no need to bring your entire bathroom cabinet with you!

Moisturising cream: After spending so much time in seawater, it will be good for your skin. It can also be useful in case of sunburn.
Reef-friendly soap and shampoo: The Smiling Seahorse provides these on its cruises. Choosing solid products can also help you save space and weight.
Menstrual products: Tampons and pads are practical options, while reusable products can save space and are more eco-friendly. A menstrual cup, for example, can be a lifesaver for holidays.
Reef-safe sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate to help reduce your impact on marine life.

Reef-friendly soap and shampoo provided on The Smiling Seahorse cruises — Solid reef-friendly soap and shampoo can save space and weight in your luggage

Other Useful Items to Pack on Your Next Liveaboard

Towels: While The Smiling Seahorse provides two towels per diver, other boats may not. Check with your operator before travelling if towels are not included. If you need to bring one, prefer a microfibre towel to minimise the space it takes in your suitcase, or bring a towel poncho that you can also use to change underneath.

Universal adapter plug: In some countries the electrical plugs are different, so it is useful to have an adapter that allows you to connect your electronic devices.

Universal travel adapter plug for charging devices on a liveaboard — A universal adapter is useful when travelling between countries with different electrical sockets

Water bottle: Always travel with your own water bottle so you can refill it and minimise the use of single-use plastic. The Smiling Seahorse offers you an aluminium water bottle to use during and after your cruise. You can bring it all around the boat with you to make sure you stay well hydrated.

Aluminium reusable water bottles provided by The Smiling Seahorse — Reusable aluminium water bottles help reduce the use of single-use plastic during your cruise

Logbook: Do not forget your logbook. It might be needed to show your experience and will be a treasured memory for years to come.
Cash: On our cruises, almost everything is included, but you may need money to pay for onboard alcohol, souvenirs and tips.
Earplugs: If you are a light sleeper, pack these. They might help you sleep when the boat is sailing at night.
Sunglasses: Protect your eyes, as there can be a lot of sun reflection on the water.
Hat: The sun is very strong in the open sea, so a hat is useful.
Mosquito repellent: In the open sea there will not be many mosquitoes, but you may want protection on land before or after the cruise.
Rehydration salts: Rehydration salts can be useful to avoid dehydration. The Smiling Seahorse provides them for free onboard, but if you go elsewhere, you may want to pack some.

Relaxing on the sofa at sunset during a liveaboard diving holiday — After the diving is done, there is always time to relax and enjoy the sunset onboard

Documents to Bring on Your Next Liveaboard

We recommend taking a photo of all your essential documents and keeping them somewhere safe on your phone or in cloud storage. But do not forget to bring the original documents you may need during your journey.

Passport and visas: Check that your passport is valid for at least six months, as some countries require a certain amount of remaining validity. Make sure you have the right visas for your cruise, especially when your cruise crosses a border. Heading to Myanmar? Make sure you have the appropriate visa for Myanmar and check the requirements for returning to Thailand after the cruise.
Certification card: Many dive cruises have minimum certification requirements, and some may require proof of a minimum number of dives. Bring your logbook for that as well.
Diving insurance: Take out travel and dive insurance to be covered in case of problems. DAN (Divers Alert Network) and DiveAssure are among the diving insurance providers commonly used by divers.

Entertainment to Bring on Your Next Liveaboard

There will be plenty of time between dives to relax, so it is worth bringing something to occupy yourself. The internet connection can be very bad or unavailable depending on where your liveaboard takes you, so choose activities that do not need an internet connection.

Here are some simple examples:

Books
Magazines
Playing cards

And of course, after several dives, a good meal and a beautiful sunset, you may find that doing absolutely nothing is also a perfectly good way to spend your free time.

A Handy Liveaboard Packing Checklist

Still worried that you will forget something? This infographic is here to help you remember the essentials. Feel free to print it for your next diving holiday and use it as a final checklist before you close your suitcase.