Candice LandauLast Updated on January 5, 2025 by Candice Landau
I wrote the most informative cold water diving packing list and then I went and wrote the best liveaboard packing list. Yep, it’s what I do.
How do I know it’s the best? Well, for one, I don’t do anything by half measures. I’ve vetted all the lists out there and to be perfectly frank, they suck. They’re not comprehensive, and they’re not field-tested. Mine is different. Over the past 8 years, I have rigorously tested all of my packing lists. I’ve run them by divers and instructors alike, and I’ve tested them in the field myself.
I used my cold water packing list when I lived in and dived Washington State and Oregon, and I used my liveaboard packing list for trips in BVI, Galapagos, Palau, the Maldives, and the Red Sea.
This one is finally ready to share. It’s most recent use-case—a liveaboard trip in Palau—saw additions such as leave-in-conditioner and a sink plug added to it.
Of course, there will always be gaps. Each of us packs differently. For example, the list does not suggestions such as “take gifts for boat crew” or “pack laundry detergent sheets for sink washing random clothes.”
I also did not suggest a specific number of topside clothing items you should bring. Once again, that’s because we all pack differently. For example, on my liveaboard trips I like to take 2 swimsuits, 3 rashguard tops, 2 rashguard leggings and sometimes a Sharkskin if the water is slightly chillier than rashguard temperature.
This list then includes:
- Two pages of detailed checklists including all the topside and underwater gear you should bring
- A blank checklist page for you to add a list of things you like to take with you
- A page of notes related to what not to bring and what to pack where
You can download the PDF here:
