Buying guide: boat bag

In short

On a dive boat, space is limited, the deck is wet and everyone kits up at the same time. A good bag protects your equipment, fits under a bench and lets you find each item without emptying everything. Many divers combine two bags: a large, robust bag for wet equipment, and a small dry bag for dry clothes and fragile items.

Why it matters

Equipment left ashore means a cancelled dive; equipment lying around on deck means a fall or a trampled regulator. An organised bag speeds up kitting up, prevents forgotten items and keeps dry what needs to stay dry (phone, documents, warm clothes).

Bag types

Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Mesh deck bag	Light, dries quickly, water drains out; equipment can be rinsed in the bag	Does not protect against knocks or dust; everything is visible
Diving backpack	Hands free on docks and ladders, compartments	Limited volume, not well suited to the BCD and long fins
Large duffel bag	Large volume, robust, coated fabric	Heavy to carry when full, dries slowly
Wheeled bag	Ideal for travel and on docks, protects equipment	Heavy when empty; wheels useless on sand and on deck
Dry bag (roll-top)	Keeps clothes, documents and electronics dry	Not suitable for wet equipment
Plastic crate	Robust, easy to clean, stackable	Bulky, often refused on small boats

Selection criteria

• Size suited to the boat: ask the dive centre or club how much space is available; large crates are rarely welcome.
• Materials: coated fabric or tarpaulin resistant to salt water, plastic zips (they do not rust), drainage eyelets.
• Compartments: a separate pocket for the regulator and dive computer prevents knocks; a ventilated pocket for wet fins and boots.
• Carrying: padded shoulder straps, strong handles to pass the bag from the dock to the boat.
• Identification: distinctive colour or tag, name and phone number.

What to pack

In the water	On the boat, kept dry
Mask (and spare mask), snorkel	Towel or poncho, warm clothes, windbreaker
Fins, boots	Drinking water, snacks, sun protection (cap, sunglasses, reef-friendly sunscreen)
Wetsuit, hood, gloves	Certification card, medical certificate, logbook
BCD, regulator, dive computer	Personal medication, seasickness treatment as advised by your doctor
Weights, DSMB, line cutter, light	Phone and documents in a dry bag
	Spares kit: O-rings, mask strap, anti-fog, cable ties, regulator wrench

Pack your bag the day before with a list, always in the same order: what you will use last at the bottom, the mask and dive computer on top.

On the boat

• Stow the bag where the crew tells you, closed, leaving nothing lying around on deck.
• Keep within reach what you will need during the trip (water, warm clothes, sun protection).
• After the dive, put the wet equipment in the mesh bag and the dry items in the dry bag.
• Ashore, empty the bag and rinse the equipment in fresh water, then leave the bag open to dry.

Some manufacturers

Non-exhaustive list, in alphabetical order, with no ranking and no sponsored or affiliate links. Most general manufacturers offer diving bags; check the current range on their website.

Manufacturer	Official website
Aqualung	aqualung.com
Beuchat	beuchat.fr
Cressi	cressi.com
Mares	mares.com
Scubapro	scubapro.com
Seac	seacsub.com
Tusa	tusa.com

Key takeaways

• A bag suited to the space available on the boat, resistant to salt water.
• A mesh bag for wet equipment, a dry bag for dry items.
• A list prepared the day before prevents forgotten items.
• Nothing lies around on deck: the bag stays closed and stowed.

Further reading

The guides on water entry and on briefings describe how a boat dive unfolds. The diving clothing guide helps you choose what to wear at the surface.