How to Take Dive Gear to Mexico

Mexico is a desirable dive destination because of its temperate climate and access to the reefs around the Yucatan Peninsula. Taking your own dive gear to Mexico is economical and provides the added security and comfort of using your personal setup to enjoy dive excursions. Traveling with dive gear involves special considerations, such as loosening compartments containing O-rings and dividing equipment and supplies for checked luggage and carry-on. Tanks and weights can easily be rented at your destination, thus preventing added weight for baggage.

Things You'll Need

  • Dive bag or large luggage
  • BCD
  • Mask
  • Snorkel
  • Fins
  • Dive computer
  • Regulator set up
  • Wetsuit
  • Towel or boat bag
  • Copy of C-card and dive insurance
  • Plastic zippered bag (3)
  • Optional: dive light(s), save a dive kit, specialty equipment (e.g., underwater camera)
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Instructions

  1. Checked Luggage

    • 1

      Separate your dive gear for packing in one bag, such as a dive bag or large luggage. This bag should be devoted to dive gear and avoid packing other personal items in this bag.

    • 2

      Place your wetsuit and water apparel at the bottom of the bag to serve as a cushion. Deflate your BCD and place it on top of the wetsuit (be sure to position your low-inflator hose inside the BCD to provide a layer of protection and to prevent accidental pulling).

    • 3

      Place your mask (in the box) above or below your BCD. If you don't have a box for your mask, place it inside your BCD next to your low-inflation hose, along with your snorkel.

    • 4

      Remove the batteries from your dive light and loosely close the compartments (e.g., battery and light bulb, if separate) and place it in a zippered plastic bag. Place a copy of your certification card (C-card) and dive insurange (e.g., Divers Alert Network) in a zippered plastic bag and insert it in your save a dive kit.

    • 5

      Assemble and check your save a dive kit before placing it alongside the BCD.

    • 6

      Place each fin on each side of the BCD in the luggage. If there's no room, place it on top of your BCD to cushion the low-inflator hose.

    • 7

      Pack any other dive accessories around the BCD, taking careful consideration on whether it may puncture the BCD air bladder (if so, consider its necessity or pack it in your save a dive kit).

    • 8

      Place a towel or dive boat bag on top of the fins and arrange it so that it covers the dive gear. Securely close the luggage.

    Carry-on Luggage

    • 9

      Loosen the dust cap from the first stage of your regulator set up and place in your primary carry-on luggage. Position the set up so that the hoses are coiled and the setup is compact.

    • 10

      Check that the date and time settings for your dive computer are set and the battery is fully charged before packing it in your carry-on bag. Depending on the size of your dive computer, consider placing it inside the coil of regulator hoses for protection.

    • 11

      Loosen any compartments on the camera (e.g., battery door) and place it in the underwater housing. Close the housing but do not tighten and seal the unit; place it securely in your carry-on luggage.

    • 12

      Stow any batteries in compartments in your carry-on bag or place all loose batteries in a zippered plastic bag to pack in your carry-on. Close your carry-on bag.