When it comes to scuba gear, the wide variety of options can easily be confusing to divers. I tend to classify my scuba gear into essentials, nice-to-haves, and camera equipment. Some of the items below are also useful for those who are looking for snorkeling gear or freediving gear.

In this article, I’ll be focusing on Essentials and Underwater Videography & Photography gear. In the future I’ll add some “nice to have” scuba gear as well.

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Scuba Gear: Our 10 Best Recommendations for 2024

1. Scuba Gear Essentials
   • Fins: Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Open Heel Bungee Strap Fin
   • Buoyancy Compensator: Oceanic Biolite Travel Scuba Diving BC
   • Mask: Tilos Double Lens Panoramic Large Wide View Mask for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
   • Emergency Signaling Device: AQUATEC Diving Duo-Alert Air Powered Surface & Underwater Signaling Device Scuba Dive BC BCD Gear, Model I (Standard)
   • Surface Marker Buoy / Sausage: DiveSafe Delayed Surface Marker Buoy – 6ft Open Bottom with Over Pressure Valve, High Visibility Reflective Band, Strobe Light or Flashlight Holder, 100ft ABS Finger Reel and Whistle
2. Scuba Gear for Underwater Videography and Photography
   • Camera: GoPro Hero 10 Black
   • Dive Housing: GoPro Hero 11/10/9 Black Protective Housing
   • Spare Battery and Dual Charger: GoPro Dual Battery Charger + 2 Enduro Batteries (HERO11 Black/HERO10 Black/HERO9 Black) – Official GoPro Accessory
   • Filters: SOONSUN 3-Pack Dive Filter for GoPro Hero 8 9 10 11 Black Official Waterproof Housing Case – Red, Light Red, Magenta Filters – Enhances Colors for Various Underwater Video and Photography Conditions
   • MicroSD Card: SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter – Up to 190MB/s, C10, U3, V30, 4K, 5K, A2, Micro SD Card – SDSQXAA-128G-GN6MA
3. Final Thoughts on Scuba Gear Recommendations

Scuba Gear Essentials

Fins: Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Open Heel Bungee Strap Fin

Fins come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and firmness levels, all of which offer different advantages. Softer and/or smaller fins may be easier to pack in suitcases, but have weaker propulsion. I strongly advise choosing fins with strong propulsion, for the following reasons:

Propulsion

• Propulsion is critical for diving in strong currents. While many divers will only dive in local areas (for example, divers living in Florida may only be diving in low-current Florida waters), you may struggle with weak-propulsion fins in strong currents. I find that the advantage of strong-propulsion fins greatly outweighs the advantage of weak-propulsion fins.
  • Some divers may prefer to rent fins if diving in a strong-current location. I advise against this, as you are at the mercy of your operator to provide you with good fins.
• Firm, strong-propulsion fins will usually still fit in a check-in suitcase. My suitcase measures 58″ in total dimension but I am still able to fit these fins with no problem (along with a host of other scuba gear along with regular clothes).

Open Heel vs Closed Heel

One other feature to bear in mind is whether fins have an open heel or a closed heel. Open heel simply means you need to be wearing boots. I strongly recommend open heel fins:

• Wearing boots will protect you from both temperature and any dangerous objects.
  • Don’t underestimate how quickly cold water can add up when you’re diving 2-4 times a day for several days in a row on a scuba trip.
• You are less likely to get blisters from the rubber fins if you are wearing boots. (You may still get blisters from inside your boots, especially if not wearing socks.)

All that being said, I am a big fan of the Mares Avanti Quattro Plus Open Heel Bungee Strap Fins. I find these fins to have all the advantages divers need from a propulsion standpoint, while still remaining small enough to fit in checked baggage.

Minor point: Choosing a bright color like yellow or lime green may be a bit unfashionable, but can make it easier for others to spot you in case you lose your dive group.

Buoyancy Compensator: Oceanic Biolite Travel Scuba Diving BC

This BC is perfect scuba gear for the traveling diver. I can’t rave enough about the benefits:

• The Oceanic Biolite Travel Scuba Diving BC only 5.5 pounds!
• This BC compresses nicely and easily fits into a normal checked bag.
• The weight pockets are integrated, so weight belts are no longer necessary.

With respect to disadvantages, my only complaint is that there are no pockets. As an alternative, I have several carabiners hanging off of the BC’s loops to clip other items when necessary (I’m primarily thinking of my dive light or camera after finishing the dive). The carabiners work for almost everything except additional camera filters, which I need to keep in a separate pouch on dives where I bring more than one filter.

Mask: Tilos Double Lens Panoramic Large Wide View Mask for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Recommending masks is tricky because everyone’s face is shaped differently, and it is impossible to know if a mask will fit your face until you physically put it on your face. That being said, if you are willing to try a mask without going into a store, I do recommend the Tilos Double Lens Panoramic Large Wide View Mask for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling. I have several reasons for believing so:

• Purge valve. First and foremost, the purge valve is the single greatest reason why I like this mask. You no longer have to clear your mask the traditional way! You can literally exhale through your nose into your mask, and your mask will clear.
  • Some reviews may complain about the purge valve hurting their nose; this problem is easily solved by lowering the mask a half inch on your face.
• Wide field of vision. The mask is designed with superb peripheral vision.
• Double lens. This feature is only important for those who require prescription lenses in their dive masks.

Emergency Signaling Device: AQUATEC Diving Duo-Alert Air Powered Surface & Underwater Signaling Device Scuba Dive BC BCD Gear, Model I (Standard)

Let’s be clear: we never want to be in a position where we have to use any emergency scuba gear. I’ve owned my signaling device for years, and have never used it except to test it. I hope it stays that way!

However, it is better to have emergency scuba gear you have but don’t need, rather than need but don’t have. Scuba diving is very safe, though accidents can and do occur.

This AQUATEC device allows for emergency signaling both underwater and at surface. If underwater, you can use the device to grab your dive guide’s attention in an emergency situation. At the surface, others can hear the sound from up to a mile away, in case strong currents sweep you away from your boat. The sound will grab attention from the staff on the surface. This can be particularly useful when diving in the open ocean on liveaboards such as in Cocos Island.

The device is small and lightweight, and therefore does not meaningfully add to your luggage size or weight when traveling!

Surface Marker Buoy / Sausage: DiveSafe Delayed Surface Marker Buoy – 6ft Open Bottom with Over Pressure Valve, High Visibility Reflective Band, Strobe Light or Flashlight Holder, 100ft ABS Finger Reel and Whistle

The single most important item of all your scuba gear is your Surface Marker Buoy, sometimes colloquially known as a “sausage”. Some dive operators, especially liveaboards, oftentimes won’t let you dive without one, and for good reason! If you get lost at sea, other than a GPS signaling device, the SMB is your best chance of getting found.

While this DiveSafe SMB is clearly one of the more expensive options on the market, I believe that you shouldn’t skimp on the scuba gear that could save your life in an emergency.

Of course, in most cases, the SMB is just used to notify your skipper where you are ascending following a drift dive. I highly recommend that all recreational divers practice deploying their SMB 1-2 times per dive trip, until they can do it with fluency. Don’t be shy to ask your dive guide! I have twice seen divers get separated from the group in low visibility. In fact, I was the one who got lost once! As you might imagine, I was glad I had practiced deploying my SMB!

Scuba Gear for Underwater Videography and Photography

Camera: GoPro Hero 10 Black

First and foremost, I’ll advise here that I recommend this camera for underwater videography, not photography . My personal interest is in videography, and so I don’t have the experience necessary to make a recommendation for photography. (Many of the following items are relevant to both videography and photography, so do read on if your primary interest is photography.)

The GoPro Hero 10 Black is an outstanding camera, but its most valuable feature is its stabilization software. Due to the stabilization software, even beginner divers can make beautiful videos even Jacques Cousteau would envy. As an example of a video produced with the GoPro Hero 10 Black, check out my post on Cocos Island.

While the GoPro Hero 12 Black is a newer model, I haven’t personally tried it, and wouldn’t want to recommend it blindly. That being said, some readers may wish to purchase the newest model of GoPro which usually you can’t go wrong with!

Dive Housing: GoPro Hero 11/10/9 Black Protective Housing (note: will fit a GoPro Hero 12!)

The GoPro Hero 10 Black is waterproof to 10m / 33ft. This depth rating is sufficient for snorkeling, but not for scuba diving. The official GoPro Protective Housing is compatible with all of Hero 9, 10, 11, and 12 Black. It is waterproof to 60 m / 200 ft, which is far below the depth any recreational diver goes.

I would not recommend going with third-party GoPro housing; I’ve used these in the past and they break very quickly from normal use!

SANDMARC Pole – Compact Edition: 10-25″ Waterproof Pole (Selfie Stick) and Black Edition: 17-40” Waterproof Extension Pole (Selfie Stick) for GoPro Hero 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, Max, 7, 6, 5, 4, Session, 3+, 3, 2, HD & Osmo Action

When filming underwater videography, you’ll need a mount for your camera. While many folks prefer using a wrist mount or head mount, I personally recommend poles. These will allow you to film hard-to-reach areas between corals, or even help you film marine life a little more closely, especially in high-current waters.

The SANDMARC Pole comes in a Compact Edition (10″ – 25″) and a Black Edition (17″ – 40″). The Compact Edition should be good enough for underwater purposes. The advantage to the Black Edition is that it has a clip for a remote. While the remote clip is not useful underwater, if you intend to use the pole as a selfie stick when traveling to land sites, the remote holder can be useful for many!

Spare Battery and Dual Charger: GoPro Dual Battery Charger + 2 Enduro Batteries (HERO11 Black/HERO10 Black/HERO9 Black) – Official GoPro Accessory

I have rarely been able to use 1 battery through 2 consecutive dives. On the other hand, having a rotation of 2 batteries has proven to work well for me. I usually keep 1 on charge while diving with the other.

It’s imperative to set the just-used battery to charge after each dive, as they take quite some time to charge. The dual charger perfectly manages the rotation, and you’re able to charge both batteries overnight after your last dive. I have used this system for years and recommend the same to others!

SOONSUN 3-Pack Dive Filter for GoPro Hero 8 9 10 11 12 Black Official Waterproof Housing Case – Red, Light Red, Magenta Filters -Enhances Colors for Various Underwater Video and Photography Conditions

As most divers are aware, red light is quickly absorbed by water, which causes a “blue shift” in underwater videography and photography. The effect is stronger at greater depths.

To counteract this phenomenon, filters are an essential item when it comes to scuba gear for underwater videography. This filter set by Soonsun allows you to choose between 2 different red filters, and 1 magenta filter (used for green water).

Of note: these filters will only fit the official GoPro dive housing!

MicroSD Card: SanDisk 128GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter – Up to 190MB/s, C10, U3, V30, 4K, 5K, A2, Micro SD Card – SDSQXAA-128G-GN6MA

If you will be filming in 4K (which I highly recommend), you will need a microSD card with fast write capabilities. You don’t want to purchase the wrong type and find you can’t use your camera!

I have used SanDisk microSD cards since I got Open Water certified, and have found them incredibly reliable.

In terms of size, if you are filming in 4K with 60 fps, I recommend a 128GB or 256GB card. The 128GB card is sufficient if you are diligent about transferring your videos to hard disk every day after your dives. (In fact, I recommend transferring your videos to hard disk after every dive, in case you have an accident and lose your camera.)

Final Thoughts on Scuba Gear Recommendations

There you have it! Amongst scuba gear essentials and scuba gear for underwater videography, these are the items I personally use and recommend.

Of course, the above is not an exhaustive list of all scuba gear. However, I would never recommend something to my readers that I have not personally used and tested. As I continue to travel and dive, I will continually update this list with my latest recommendations!

What scuba gear do you think is missing from this list? Do you have other scuba gear you recommend? Leave a comment below!

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