One of the nicest surprises about a diving day with us in Side is how little you actually need to pack. Scuba diving looks like an equipment-heavy sport — tanks, regulators, wetsuits, weights — but on our boat trips every piece of diving gear is provided and fitted for you. What remains is a small beach bag's worth of personal items. Still, a few smart choices make the day noticeably more comfortable, and a few common packing mistakes are worth avoiding. Here is the complete, honest checklist.
What Is Already Included (So You Don't Pack It)
Every one of our full-day boat trips — from the Side Underwater Museum to Kumköy, Kemer, Antalya and Alanya — includes the same core package:
- All diving equipment: mask, fins, wetsuit, tank, regulator, buoyancy vest and weights, fitted to you on board. Curious how it all works? Our equipment guide explains each piece.
- Two guided dives with a full safety briefing before you enter the water.
- Lunch on board between the dives.
- Free two-way hotel transfer — you are collected from your hotel and returned in the evening.
- Passenger and diving insurance for the day.
In other words: do not buy or rent anything before the trip. Everything technical is our job, and it is all covered in the price you see on our prices page.
The Essentials: Four Things You Must Bring
- Swimsuit: wear it under your clothes so you are ready to change into the wetsuit without hunting for a cabin. A spare dry swimsuit for after the second dive is a small luxury you will appreciate.
- Towel: the Mediterranean sun does most of the drying work, but a towel makes the surface intervals far more comfortable, especially in spring and autumn.
- Sunscreen: you will spend the whole day on the water, where sunlight reflects off the surface and burns faster than on the beach. Apply before boarding and reapply after each dive. If you can, choose a reef-friendly formula — the fish you will be hand-feeding live here.
- Sunglasses: glare off the sea is constant. Your eyes will thank you, and so will your photos, because you will not be squinting in every single one.
Smart Extras Worth Packing
None of these are required, but experienced guests rarely board without them:
- A hat or cap for the sunny deck hours between dives.
- A light dry layer — a T-shirt or thin hoodie feels wonderful on the ride home, particularly early or late in the season.
- Seasickness tablets if you know you are sensitive, taken as directed before departure. The ride is usually gentle, but why gamble.
- A hair tie for long hair — masks and loose hair are old enemies.
- Your phone for surface photos of the boat day, kept safely in your bag while you dive.
- A little cash or card — booking online is free and you pay for the trip on the day, so remember to bring your payment. A small extra for a cold drink never hurts.
- Your logbook, if you are a certified diver — we sign and stamp your dives, and a museum dive is a page worth having.
What to Leave at the Hotel
- Jewellery and valuables: rings slip off in water, necklaces tangle with equipment, and a boat is simply not where expensive watches belong. Use the hotel safe.
- Your own diving gear: unless you are an equipment-owning certified diver who genuinely prefers their own mask, there is no need to haul anything — our gear is maintained and fitted for you.
- Heavy bags: deck space is shared. One small bag per person keeps the boat comfortable for everyone.
- Perfume and heavy lotions: anything oily on your face interferes with the mask seal. Arrive with clean skin around your eyes and the mask will behave.
The One Packing Rule That Involves Your Flight
There is a single scheduling rule that matters more than anything in your bag: you should not fly within 24 hours after diving. Plan your diving day for the middle of your holiday, not the day before departure. While we are on the subject of planning, our guide to the best diving season in Antalya helps you pick the ideal day on the calendar, not just the ideal bag.
A Note for Non-Divers in Your Group
Friends or family joining as visitors at the reduced rate pack exactly the same short list — swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses. They can swim and snorkel during the day, so they should dress for the water even if they never touch a tank.
Packed in Five Minutes, Remembered for Years
That is the whole list: what you would take to the beach, plus common sense. We handle the tanks, the wetsuits, the lunch, the insurance and the driving — you handle the sunscreen. Reserve your boat trip online for free, pay on the day, and cancel free up to 24 hours ahead if plans change. Browse our diving trips and start that five-minute packing job.
