What to pack for your next liveaboard?

Packing for a holidays is always a bit stressfull but when your holidays is on a liveaboard, it's even more important to pack correctly....

1/ The open sea has a limited amount of shopping option to buy what you forgot...
2/ If you bring too much, buying extra-weight at the airport can be quite costly.
In this blogpost we will help you pack correctly all of the essential  for your next diving holidays!

What Dive Gear to pack for your next liveaboard?

• Regulator: If you don't use it regularly, make sure its service is not overdue. Protect it as much as possible in your luggage to avoid damage. Of course a cushioned regulator bag is designed to do that perfectly but it does take valuable space and weight in your luggage. You can also wrap your wetsuit around the regulator, it does the job perfectly!
• BCD: Don't forget your weight pockets if your BCD needs them, but of course leave your weights and belt at home… any boat will have this onboard for you!​

If you take it with you, your diving equipment will probably take up most of the space/ weight in your suitcase and that's totally fine as you wont need much else...

Before placing in in your suitcase, it's important to check the condition of your equipment and to have it serviced if necessary. There is nothing more frustrating than to carry an heavy piece of gear only to find out they are not working when you arrive on holidays and you carried it all across the globe for nothing and now still need to rent!

• Mask and fins: Before leaving, check that your mask is in good condition (no leakage) and that your fins fit comfortably. Find a mask that fits your face and take a spare in case of problems.
• Anti-fog spray: This is something you can ditch at home if you are out of space. Most boats (including ours) will provide soap to clean your mask before diving.
• Snorkel: You may or may not use one for diving but it is always nice to have it if you want to go snorkeling in during your surface intervals.
• Boots /Neoprene socks: Depending on your type of fins, it may be more comfortable to wear booties or socks, some people swear by using both as socks are easy to pull on and booties easier with socks!

• Dive computer: Especially on a liveaboard where you do up to 4 dives per day a computer keeps you safe! They don't take space and you can even wear some on your wrist as your travel watch and are one of the most expensive items to rent so I would say this is the first item I recommend for any diver to bring with them. Plus you will be a lot

• Compass: This is only necessary if you are unguided, check with your liveaboard.

• SMB and reel: These are especially necessary in areas with strong currents and could save your life. Serious liveaboard would provide an SMB to those who don't have one but using yours especially with a reel will probably be more comfortable.

• Reef hook: This allows you to have your hands free without damaging the reefs, especially for area with strong current. Check with your dive operator before packing it if reef hooks are allowed at your destination as many national parks around the world have now banned their use. In the Similan National park for example, reef hooks and gloves are prohibited inside the national park so divers are asked to keep these on the boat if they bring them. They are allowed and recommended for a cruise in Myanmar where current is stronger at times.

• Wetsuit or Shark skin: Choose your wetsuit according to the temperatures of the places where you dive. Water in Thailand/ Myanmar's Andaman Sea is between 27 and 29 degrees. We recommend a long 3 mmm wetsuit (that suits most divers) but each diver has its own tolerance of hot/ cold so dress accordingly :) Wetsuits are great to protect your more fragile gear while in your suitcase. wrap your reg, mask or camera with it!

• Gloves: in warm water, gloves are really unnecessary and even forbidden in many national parks. If you wear gloves, make sure they are no excuse to touch anything…

​What Photo Gear to pack for your next liveaboard?

If you are into Underwater photography,  you will need a bit more space for your camera set up:

• Camera: Make sure you have room in your SD card (or bring several) and that the batteries will last long enough (or bring extra)

• Housing: Check the O-ring and apply silicone grease to it.

• Lenses: Fisheye, wide angle, macro.

• Strobes: Check the O-ring and charge the batteries.

• Tray, arms, clamps, floating arms and tools (allen key, screwdriver, etc.)

• Fiber optic cable: Check condition (no scratches or kinks).

• Diving light : Most cruises offer night dives in their schedule, so it is advisable that you have your own dive light. Even during the day, the flashlight can be useful to see better.
• Portable hard drive: To be able to save all your pictures

• Chargers and cables for all devices
• Extra batteries

• Flash diffusers and backscatter if you use a polycarbonate (transparent) housing.

• Snoot

• Laptop computer: To see the pictures taken during the dives

Clothes and shoes you'll need on your next liveaboard

•  Bathing suits: It is probably what you will wear most of the time so if you don't like wearing them wet, pack more than one.
• No need for shoes: You will take off your shoes when you board the boat, and you will pick them up only when you arrive at the port so forget your high heels at home :)

• Light and comfortable clothing: A few shorts, t-shirts/ summer dresses are sufficient.

• Warm clothing: Even if you are cruising in a tropical destination, you may need warmer clothes. Take a hoodie for cooler evenings.

​Medicine ​to pack on your next liveaboard

Any professional Liveaboard, such as The Smiling Seahorse, carry first aid kits onboard, but you may want to pack these for yourself if you don't know the operator you're going with or if you have favorite brands...

• Ear and Eye drops
• Antibacterial cream or powder: For coral cuts or small wounds.
• Seasickness pills: Even if you are not prone to seasickness, being on a boat for a long time and in different weather conditions can be difficult.
• Anti Diarrhea: The food on the boat may be different from your usual diet depending on the country and may therefore cause intestinal problems

• Analgesics and pills for sore throats

• Waterproof plasters / bandages

Toiletries ​to bring on your next liveaboard

 Like the other products, carry the minimum of toiletries.

• Moisturizing cream: After spending so much time in the sea water it will be good for your skin. It can also be useful in case of sunburn.

• Reef friendly Soap and shampoo (provided on The smiling seahorse cruises) : Choosing solid products can help you save space/ weight.

• Menstrual products: Like tampons and pads but reusable products save space and are more eco-friendly, the menstrual cup for example is a life saver for holidays.

• Reef safe sunscreen: Choose a sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate to preserve marine life​

Other useful items to pack on your next liveaboard.

Towels (While The Smiling Seahorse provides 2 towels per diver, other boats may not) : Prefer microfiber towels to minimize the space they take in your suitcase or bring a towel poncho you can also change under...

• Universal adapter plug : In some countries the electrical plugs are different, so it is necessary to have adapters so that you can connect your electronic devices.

• Water bottle: always travel with your own water bottle to refill to minimize the use of single-use plastic. The Smiling Seahorse offers you an aluminum 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!

• ​Logbook: dont forget your logbook, it might be needed to show your experience and will be a treasured memories for years.
• Cash : On our cruise, almost everything is included, but you may need money to pay for onboard alcohol consumption, 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, there can be a lot of sun reflection on the water.

• Hat : The sun is very strong in the open sea

• Mosquito repellent : In the open sea there won't be many mosquitoes but you may want protection on land before/ after the cruise.

• Rehydration salts : Rehydration salt is very effective to avoid dehydration: the number one cause for DCI! We provide those for free onboard but if you go elsewhere, pack some!

​Documents ​to bring on your next liveaboard

We recommend you to take a photo of all your essential documents and keep them somewhere safe on your phone/ cloud storage but don't forget to bring:

• Passport and Visas : Check if your passport is valid for at least six months because some countries require a certain number of months of validity. Make sure you have the right visas for your cruise, especially when your cruise cross a border (heading to Myanmar? Make sure you have a visa for Myanmar and can get a visa on arrival when crossing back 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).

• Diving Insurance : Take out travel and dive insurance to be covered in case of problems. DAN (Divers Alert Network) and DiveAssure are the most popular diving insurances.

Entertainments to bring on your next liveaboard

This will allow you to occupy your free time, between dives. The internet connection can be very bad so choose activities that don't need it.
Here are some examples :
 

• Books

• Magazines

• Playing cards

Here's an infographic to help you remember,
​feel free to print it for your next diving holidays!