The Ultimate Scuba Gear for New Divers

Carrie Garcia

Masks

Cressi Big Eyes Crystal Mask

Becoming a certified scuba diver has opened your eyes — in a profound way. Now that you posses the proverbial keys to the underwater castle, where to first? Your maiden dive trip should hit three important notes: relaxing, easy and, above all, fun. The destination should seduce your senses, offer ample infrastructure and be populated with lots of like-minded travelers. In addition to choosing the right destination, you also need to pack the right dive gear. To maximize fun and safety, bring along equipment that is user friendly, ergonomically pleasing and built to last. We've got tips on choosing gear that is easy to pack, plus will help make you feel comfortable and at home in the water during your dive vacation.

A Mask with a Clear, Soft Skirt
An ultraclear and soft skirt offers an open "feel" as they often improve a diver's peripheral vision — these skirts are the perfect choice for divers who get a claustrophic feeling underwater. For the latest dive mask offerings from manufacturers, check out our Mask Gear Guide.

Fins — Flexible or Stiff?
This is purely a matter of preference. Check out our Fins Gear Guide for the latest on scuba kickers.

Dive Computer
Easy to use out of the gate is a good rule when buying your first dive computer. The screens should be intuitive and give you vital, easy-to-read information at depth. Check out our Dive Computer Gear Guide.

Tropical Weight Wetsuit
Thin neoprene (1mm) provides perfect protection for tropical dives. Look for extras such as neck and cuff seals. Check out our Wetsuits Gear Guide for the latest in exposure protection, including rash guards.

Snorkel
A snorkel doesn't take up much space in your gear bag, and you can save air by using a snorkel for surface swimming, not to mention making sure you have an often overlooked safety item in your kit. See the latest in our Snorkels Gear Guide.

Travel BC
Built to pack as easily as it dives, a travel BC still boasts creature comforts like weight integration and a padded back. Check out the newest BCs in our BCs Gear Guide.

Travel Reg
Paired with a compact first stage, the new crop of travel regs is ready for the road. Check out the newest ones in our Regulator Gear Guide.

Dive Bag
Finally, you'll need a dive bag or luggage that's just right for your travel needs. Check out our Accessories Gear Guide for a dive bags and more.

Tips for Choosing the Style of Scuba BC that Works Best for You

Scuba BCs are generally divided into three categories based on how they're used: General Purpose, True Travel and Dual Purpose. This article offers extensive descriptions of each BC categories, so you can choose the one that's right for you — and your diving style.

Essential Tips for Buying and Caring for Wetsuits

As your first line of defense against the elements, wetsuits are one of your most important pieces of dive gear. It's essential not only for divers to choose their scuba wetsuits properly, but also to know how to care for them, so these all important second skins can keep you safe and warm for years to come.

Tips for Selecting the Scuba Regulator That's Right for You

Tips for finding the scuba regulator that best suits your diving needs — and style.

Essential Tips for Protecting and Preserving Dive Computers

While dive computers are designed for some pretty extreme depths and tough conditions, there are a few essential steps you should take to ensure these high-tech digital devices function at maximum capacity for as long as possible.

10 Top Dive Training Tips

A real diver never stops learning and growing. Here are 10 bits of gold from PADI dive professionals for honing your skills, improving your performance and having more fun down below.

10 Top Scuba Gear Tips from the Pros

We polled hundreds of PADI dive professionals for their best tips for buying, using and maintaining scuba gear. Here are 10 of the most useful nuggets of expert equipment advice to help divers of every skill level.

Packing Tips for Photographers

It used to be so easy to get to distant dive locations with virtually any amount of camera gear needed to do the job. Now, airline restrictions on baggage weight have made traveling with camera gear expensive. Here are our tips for avoiding those fees.

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR BC

• Start by giving your BC a good freshwater rinse to hose off any big chunks of sand and dirt. • Fill a tub with fresh water, dunk the BC repeatedly, then leave it alone for a five-minute soak. • Remove the BC from the tub and give it another hose rinse. Direct the water stream into the power inflator so the bladder fills with fresh water. • Drain the bladder using the exhaust valves so their internal parts get a good flush.