9 scuba diving accessories you'll wish you got sooner
Have you ever wanted to level up your dive days? Divers know that scuba diving requires thorough preparation. Frequent divers, especially those who own all their gear, know that some pre- and post-diving tasks can be a little tedious. However, many gadgets and diving accessories can make your dive days more comfortable. Check out our selection of diving accessories we wish we had bought earlier.
Maybe your hair gets tangled in your mask strap. Maybe you struggle to find a safe place to store your car keys during a dive. Or you're tired of getting sand stuck to your feet as you change back into dry clothes.
Of course, your core scuba equipment gets you safely underwater. But sometimes it's the accessories that make diving more enjoyable. Plenty of accessories can make your dive days more comfortable, from packing and organizing to the dive itself. Check out nine scuba diving accessories that you'll wonder how you ever managed without.
Scuba gear vs. scuba accessories
Core scuba gear includes life-support and essential equipment such as your regulator, BCD, mask, fins, exposure protection, and cylinders. Essentially, anything you can’t dive without. Scuba accessories are optional items that enhance comfort, organization, style, or convenience.
None of the items on this list are must-have basic equipment, such as your regulator or fins, but rather nice-to-have extras. While none of these accessories are required to dive, many can enhance the diving experience for both new and experienced divers.
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Worried about losing your keys?
Try: A Portable Combination Lockbox
If you've ever driven to a dive site for a shore dive and wondered, "What should I do with my keys?" we've got a great solution. A portable combination lockbox allows you to securely store your keys while you enjoy your dive underwater. That way, you won't have to worry about them getting lost, stolen, or left unattended.
Why we love it: No more worrying about someone finding your keys in that secret hiding spot while you’re underwater. A combination mechanism keeps you from worrying about losing the key to the lockbox.
Tired of your mask ripping out your hair?
Try: A Hair Keeper or Scuba Diving Headband
If you have long hair, there are few things more aggravating than taking your mask off after a dive only to find it has caught a handful of hair. Dive frequently enough, and you may end up with a collection of broken hair around your hairline. A headband or hair keeper can reduce breakage while also looking stylish, providing you with new ways to accessorize.
Why we love it: Made of comfortable, stretchy material, our Dive in Puerto Rico headbands are great for preventing hair from getting caught on your mask or snorkel. Mix and match them with your existing gear or with our ocean-inspired swimwear.
Sick of the feeling of dirt on your feet?
Try: A Neoprene Changing Mat
This simple, travel-friendly accessory may quickly become indispensable in your dive bag. Stand on it while changing to avoid getting your feet or wetsuit dirty as you remove your gear after a dive.
You’ll soon find yourself reusing the mat to protect surfaces from wet gear or to change clothes after water activities such as swimming, surfing, snorkeling, or freediving.
Why we love it: Not every dive site has the ideal place to change out of your gear. Avoid getting sand, dirt, grass, glass, or gravel stuck on your feet or wetsuit with a neoprene changing mat. There are other scuba-friendly uses for this neoprene mat: sit on it to protect your car seat after a dive.
Struggling to put on your wetsuit? Spending a long time in the sun?
Try: An Ocean-Inspired Rash Guard
You might be surprised to learn that a rash guard can come in handy on scuba diving days, even when the weather isn't sunny.
Even if you don't spend much time in the sun during the trip to the dive site or at surface intervals, a rash guard can offer more than just UV protection.
A rash guard can create a slicker surface, making it easier to put on your wetsuit. So, if you usually dive with just a swimsuit underneath and have trouble putting on a wetsuit, try wearing a rash guard.
Why we love it: It adds sun protection during surface intervals and prolonged sun exposure, and rash guards help reduce chafing under exposure suits and make them easier to put on.
Want to protect personal items from getting wet?
Try: A Waterproof Storage Box and Dry Bag
Divers know that sometimes, particularly during boat dives, it may be challenging to find a place to keep your personal items dry. If you’ve ever had to endure a wet phone, damp towel, or soggy snacks, consider getting a dry bag (water-resistant bag) for your dive days.
Along with a waterproof storage box, such as those used for fishing, you can keep important items like medications, clothing, snacks, your phone, and spare batteries completely dry.
Why we love it: Great for dives on small boats with limited dry storage. A waterproof storage box + water-resistant bag combo ensures important items like your save-a-dive spares, medications, snacks, or phone stay completely dry.
Need a way to change clothes anywhere?
Try: A Changing Towel Hoodie
A changing towel hoodie provides privacy while changing clothes before or after a dive. Think of it like your own portable changing room. Plus, it can keep you warm during windy surface intervals. You may find you stop using regular beach towels altogether after you try your first towel hoodie. A towel hoodie keeps your hands free so you can put your gear away with ease.
Why we love it: Gives you the privacy and flexibility to change clothes anywhere. Great for remote dive sites and shore dives. Stay warm during windy boat rides and keep your hands free.
Looking for a better way to manage diving accessories?
Try: A Retractable Lanyard Scuba Clip
A retractable clip is a great accessory for nearsighted divers who struggle to read consoles.
Some dive accessories, such as your underwater camera or notepad, are useful at certain points during your dive but not always. A retractable clip can hold diving accessories securely in place until you need them.
When you need an item, simply pull on the lanyard, and when you're finished, the item will return to its proper place. All without having to clip or unclip anything.
Why we love it: The Gear Keeper Scuba Retractable Lanyard has reliably lasted us over 100 dives. Just remember to rinse it with freshwater after every dive to keep the retractor functioning properly.
Worried about losing your mask after a dive?
Try: A Clip-On Diving Mask and Fin Keeper
At some point, fin and mask keepers become must-have staples for every diver. This accessory clips into your BC and allows you to secure your mask and fins so you can enter and exit the water with greater ease.
Why we love it: We love being able to exit the water hands-free while knowing our mask and fins are secure. A clip-on mask and fin keeper is particularly useful when carrying other accessories or equipment, such as a surface marker buoy, camera, or diving propulsion vehicle.
Struggling when transporting your scuba equipment?
Try: A Folding Portable Wagon Cart
This is a game changer considering scuba gear can be very heavy, especially when wet. Whether you're transporting equipment from your home to your car, from the dive shop to the dive site, or from the parking lot to the entry point, your lower back will thank you for this purchase!
Why we love it: A portable wagon cart allows us to load and transport equipment before and after dives much more efficiently. This model carries up to 420 lbs so you can feel confident it’ll hold your gear. Its thick tires allow it to move over different terrain, including sand. Plus, you’ll likely find tons of other household uses for this cart.
The best scuba diving accessories aren't always the most expensive. Rather, they're the ones that solve inconveniences and make dive days more enjoyable. For us, the items on this list have become dive day staples. We hope you found some useful ideas from this list. Happy diving!
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