Planning

Planning your
dive trip.

A great dive trip begins months before you hit the water. From choosing the right destination to packing your kit, this guide covers every decision.

§ I

Choosing a destination

Destination choice is the most important decision of the trip, and should match your certification level, accumulated experience, and the type of diving you seek.

Key questions before choosing:

What is your current certification and dive count? Some legendary sites — Blue Corner in Palau, Shark Reef in Fiji, Komodo's current-swept pinnacles — require strong current experience. Not a destination for your first dive trip.
What marine life do you want to see? The Indo-Pacific (Coral Triangle) has the highest biodiversity. Big schooling fish are seen in the Maldives, Cocos, and Galápagos. Large pelagics prefer more open, temperate waters.
What type of diving do you prefer? Reef diving, wreck diving, cavern diving, pelagic diving, muck diving — each requires different destinations and skill sets.
What is your real budget? Dive destinations vary enormously in cost. Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand) offers world-class diving at a fraction of the cost of central Pacific or Indian Ocean destinations.

§ II

Season & conditions

Diving conditions are not uniform throughout the year. Every destination has a high season, low season, and transition periods — and the differences can be dramatic.

Factors to research:

Visibility: Can range from 5 metres (rainy season, plankton bloom) to 40+ metres (dry season, no upwelling). Consult local diver forums, not just operator marketing.
Water temperature: Affects the exposure suit you need. Southeast Asia at 28–30°C requires only a shortie. The Galápagos or North Pacific may require a drysuit.
Currents: Seasonal currents determine when certain species appear. Whale sharks at Donsol (Philippines) arrive with the seasonal plankton. The Manta Ray Night Dive in Kona (Hawaii) is best in summer.
Cyclones and monsoons: The Indian Ocean and South Pacific have well-defined cyclone seasons. The Andaman Sea effectively closes during the Southwest Monsoon (May–October).

Recommended resources: DiveTraveler.com and Scubaboard forums have seasonal condition reports for virtually every destination.

§ III

Certification requirements

Certification requirements vary by destination and operator. Before booking, verify:

Site minimum requirement: Sites with strong currents, depths beyond 18m, or wall diving typically require Advanced Open Water or a minimum dive count. Blue Hole (Belize) requires Advanced. Some caves and wrecks require specific specialties.
Minimum dive count: Many operators require a minimum logged dive count for advanced sites. Komodo often requests 50+ dives. Some liveaboards ask for 100+.
Relevant specialties: Penetration wrecks require wreck penetration certification. Caverns require cavern or cave. Nitrox diving requires Enriched Air Nitrox.
Log currency: Some operators require that you have dived within the past 12–24 months. If you haven't, consider a Scuba Review before the trip.

§ IV

Logistics: flights, gear, insurance

Flights

· Look for flights with high baggage allowances — dive gear is heavy.
· Some airlines classify dive equipment as sports gear with reduced fees.
· Confirm tank transport policy — empty with valve open is generally permitted; verify with the airline.
· Book with at least 6 hours of connection time at international hubs — checked dive gear has higher loss risk.

Own gear vs. rental

· Regulator: Strongly recommended to travel with your own. Rented regulators have variable maintenance.
· BCD: Rentable, but fit matters. Consider bringing yours if you have a model you know well.
· Wetsuit: Rental viable if yours is bulky. Check stock availability at the destination.
· Dive computer: Always travel with your own. Your nitrogen saturation history is yours.

Insurance

· DAN dive insurance: covers medical evacuation, hyperbaric chamber, and hospitalization from diving accidents.
· General travel insurance: covers cancellations, gear loss, non-diving medical emergencies.
· Some travel insurance excludes diving — read the fine print.
· DAN dive insurance starts from ~$30 USD/year for basic coverage.

§ V

Dive operator selection

The operator is the most important variable in the dive trip — more so than the destination itself. A great operator with quality equipment at a mediocre site beats a poor operator at the world's best reef.

Selection criteria:

Certifications and affiliations: Look for operators affiliated with PADI, SSI, or other recognized agencies. Verify that instructors are active in their agency's database.
Diver-to-guide ratio: The recommended international standard is 8:1 for recreational diving. Quality operators will maintain 4:1 or 6:1. Never more than 10:1.
Equipment state: Ask when regulators and cylinders were last serviced. A good operator has maintenance records available.
Safety protocols: Is emergency oxygen on the boat? Is staff trained in first aid? Is there an established emergency action plan?
Reputation and reviews: Scubaboard, TripAdvisor, and local diving Facebook groups offer genuine perspectives. Read reviews from the past 6–12 months, not years ago.
Group size: Smaller groups offer better experience. Be wary of operators who fill boats to maximum capacity.

§ VI

What to pack

Essential gear

✓ Mask and snorkel (personal)
✓ Fins (personal)
✓ Regulator with alternate
✓ Dive computer
✓ SMB and reel

Exposure protection

✓ Wetsuit or drysuit depending on destination
✓ Gloves and hood (if applicable)
✓ Rashguard / shortie
✓ Neoprene socks

Accessories

✓ Primary torch + backup
✓ Knife or shears
✓ Slate and pencil
✓ Mesh bag
✓ Underwater camera (optional)

Logistics & health

✓ Certification card
✓ Dive log
✓ DAN and travel insurance docs
✓ Seasickness medication (if needed)
✓ Reef-safe mineral sunscreen
✓ Mask disinfectant

Start exploring

Find your next destination

Explore our editorial selection of destinations, dive sites, and operators — curated for serious divers who measure a trip in log entries, not days.

→ Browse destinations → Marine conservation

Planning yourdive trip.