Your Essential Raja Ampat Dive Trip Packing List

When it comes to essential dive gear, some items are simply irreplaceable. Bringing your personal dive computer, mask, snorkel, fins, surface marker buoy (SMB) and dive lights is highly recommended. 

These pieces of equipment are tailored to your specific needs and comfort, which is crucial for a safe and enjoyable dive experience.

A dive computer is indispensable for monitoring depth, bottom time, and decompression limits. Similarly, a well-fitted mask ensures clarity and comfort underwater, while fins tailored to your size and strength make navigation effortless. If you enjoy night dives or exploring caves, don’t forget to pack a reliable dive light.

When booking your dive, don’t forget to bring:

• Dive Certification Card: To confirm your skill level.
• Dive Insurance Details: For safety and peace of mind.
• Sense of Adventure: Be ready to explore Raja Ampat’s incredible marine life.

By preparing these essentials, you’ll be set for a fantastic diving adventure.

These essentials form the backbone of your "dive trip checklist," ensuring you’re prepared for Raja Ampat’s stunning underwater world. 

For beginners, it's important to prioritize comfort and functionality in your gear to help you ease into the dive experience.

Important Note: We require all divers to have dive insurance to participate in our dives. You can either arrange this in advance or we can assist you with the application on-site upon your arrival at the resort.

One of the advantages of staying at Papua Diving Resorts is the availability of high-quality dive gear. To reduce the burden of traveling with heavy equipment, the resorts provide items like buoyancy control devices (BCDs), regulators, wetsuits, and dive tanks. 

Renting or using the complimentary equipment not only lightens your load but also ensures you’re using gear well-suited for the local conditions.

The dive centers at Sorido Bay Resort and Kri Eco Resort maintain their gear to the highest standards, ensuring safety and performance. This option is ideal for travelers who wish to pack light or avoid the hassle of transporting bulky items across the globe.

Efficient packing can transform your travel experience. Here are some expert tips for divers heading to Raja Ampat:

• Pack Versatile Clothing: Lightweight, quick-drying clothes are a must for tropical climates. Consider layering options for cooler evenings.
• Travel-Sized Toiletries: Minimize space by packing essential toiletries in travel-sized containers.
• Waterproof Bags: Protect your belongings from humidity and splashes with dry bags and zippered pouches.
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Help protect the marine environment by using eco-friendly sun protection.

By adhering to these tips, you’ll be able to focus on the incredible diving opportunities Raja Ampat offers instead of worrying about excess luggage.

While the essentials are non-negotiable, there are some optional items to enhance your diving trip:

• Underwater Camera: Capture the vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. If you’re a DSLR user, you can invest in underwater housing to bring your professional camera beneath the surface. We also offer TG7 and GoPro 12 for rent for those wanting to create memories underwater without bringing their own photo equipment. 
• Dive Log Book: Document your experiences and track your dive stats.
• Personal Dive Accessories: Items like a surface marker buoy (SMB) or dive knife can be useful depending on your dive itinerary.

In addition to packing efficiently, you can make the most of your excursions by bringing along the following items:

• Mosquito Repellent & Shoes: Essential for your Birds of Paradise tours, as these areas can have a higher presence of insects. Comfortable shoes will help on any walks or hikes.
• Dive Torch: Perfect for night dives, allowing you to explore the underwater world after dark.
• Small Change in Rupiah: Handy for purchasing souvenirs during your visit to the Fam Islands or Manta excursion, where you can buy small items like coconuts at Fam Island or other souvenirs at Arborek.
• Reef Hook: Necessary for the Manta Excursion at Manta Ridge, where the current can be strong.

While some airlines may offer free baggage weight allowance for dive gear, we encourage you to take advantage of Papua Diving's rental services. Renting gear from us helps you pack light and ensures that you have the best equipment for your dive experience.

For underwater photography enthusiasts, Sorido Bay Resort features the Raja Ampat SEACAM Center, where you can access top-notch SEACAM equipment. From trying out lenses to experimenting with dome ports, this center is a haven for underwater photographers. 

Don’t miss the upcoming 2025 SEACAM Workshops, scheduled for July 20-26 and August 10-16, led by award-winning SEACAM ambassadors. These workshops are free of charge for 2025 only.

Reserve your place or contact us at info@papua-diving.com to let us know you're interested in joining these exciting workshops.