The Philippines Dive Packing List You Didn’t Know You Needed
Let me save you the trouble I see happen to at least one diver per trip. You land in Manila or Cebu, excited about the warm water and thresher sharks, only to realize you forgot your dive computer battery, packed the wrong sunscreen, or left your certification card in a drawer back home. Suddenly your first day is spent hunting down marine supplies in a town that runs on island time.
This Philippines dive packing list isn’t the generic stuff you find on travel blogs. It’s built from years of guiding dives in Coron, Moalboal, and Malapascua, where conditions change fast and you can’t always buy gear off the shelf. Whether you’re shore diving in Anilao or liveaboard hopping Tubbataha, these are the items that matter most.
Essential Documents and Pre-Dive Planning
Before you even touch a mask, get your paperwork sorted. The Philippines is relaxed about many things, but your dive credentials aren’t one of them.
- Passport and visa — Most nationalities get 30 days free on arrival. Check the Department of Foreign Affairs website for your country. Bring a photocopy of your passport photo page and visa stamp, and keep them separate from the original.
- Certification cards — Physical or digital. The DAN app stores your e-cards, but some remote dive shops prefer plastic. Carry both.
- Dive insurance — Mandatory. I recommend DAN World Dive Insurance or Dive Assure. Print your policy number and emergency contact info, and leave a copy with someone at home.
- Medical clearance — If you have asthma, heart issues, or any condition that flares up in heat and humidity, get a signed dive medical form within 12 months of travel. Local shops are strict about this.
- Emergency contacts — Save the local DAN hotline (+63 2 8530 1234) and your country’s embassy number. Many dive briefings include the nearest recompression chamber, but have your own list.
Dive Gear Must-Haves for the Philippines
Most resorts rent BCDs, regulators, and tanks, but your personal gear should cover comfort and safety in tropical conditions and the occasional deep wall dive.
Mask, Snorkel, and Fins
Bring your own mask. Rental masks rarely fit well, and a leaking mask ruins every dive. Pack a backup mask if you have one (it fits in a carry-on). For fins, split fins are great for drift diving, but if you plan on shore entries with surge, a stiff-blade fin gives you more control. Snorkel? I use a foldable one that fits in my pocket.
Wetsuit and Exposure Protection
The water temperature sits around 26–30°C depending on location and season. A 3mm shorty works for most reef dives. For deeper sites like Monad Shoal or Tubbataha, a 3mm full-length or a 5mm shorty is better. If you get cold easily, bring a 3mm hood, especially for early morning dives. Rash guards are fine for surface intervals, but don’t rely on them for thermal protection below 25°C.
BCD and Regulator
If you travel with your own BCD, make sure it’s a travel-friendly model like the Scubapro Hydros Pro or Cressi Travelight. Regulators should be environmentally sealed — I’ve seen silt and sand jam unsealed second stages on beach dives. And always bring a spare O-ring kit and a small hex key set.
Dive Computer
A dive computer isn’t optional. I use the Suunto D5 for its simple interface, but any computer with nitrox capability and a user-replaceable battery works. Change the battery before you leave. Dive shops in the Philippines often use CR2032 or CR2430, but don’t count on finding one on a Saturday afternoon in a small town.
Carry-On Dry Bag
Pack your dive computer, mask, insurance docs, and a small backup light in a carry-on dry bag. If your checked luggage gets delayed, you can still dive that first day. A 20-liter roll-top bag works perfectly.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen and Skin Protection
Many Philippine marine sanctuaries now ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other reef-damaging chemicals. Fines exist, and some dive guides will ask you to rinse before boarding if you’re wearing the wrong stuff.
I recommend Stream2Sea or Thinksport. Both are mineral-based, biodegradable, and actually hold up in tropical heat. Apply 20 minutes before entering the water, and don’t skip your ears, neck, and tops of your feet.
Better yet, reduce your sunscreen use altogether. Wear a long-sleeve rash guard (UPF 50+), a wide-brimmed hat on the surface, and a buff for your neck. Your skin will thank you, and so will the coral.
Tech and Gadgets for Safer Diving
Power outages happen in the Philippines, especially in small islands and during typhoon season. Plan accordingly.
- Underwater camera — A GoPro Hero 11 or 12 with a red filter works for most divers. If you want better stills, consider the Olympus TG-6 with a housing. Bring spare batteries and microSD cards — you’ll shoot more than you think.
- Dive torch — Even on day dives. A small 1000-lumen torch helps you see into crevices and under ledges. For night dives, bring a primary torch and a backup. I pack the SeaLife SeaTorch 2200 for its beam spread.
- SMB (Surface Marker Buoy) — A must for drift diving. Carry a 1.5m or 2m model in a pocket, and know how to deploy it. Many Philippine currents are stronger than they look.
- Whistle and signal mirror — Lightweight, cheap, and potentially life-saving if separated from your group.
- Power bank — Bring at least 10,000mAh. Some liveaboards have USB ports, but the voltage can be inconsistent. A dual-output bank lets you charge your phone and camera overnight.
- Waterproof phone pouch — For boat rides and beach days. Test it with a tissue inside before you trust it.
Clothing and Comfort Items for Tropical Climates
The Philippines is hot and humid during the day, with sudden monsoonal downpours from June to November. Pack smart.
- Quick-dry clothing — Two pairs of athletic shorts, three technical t-shirts, and one pair of lightweight long pants (for mosquitoes and temple visits). Avoid cotton — it stays wet and takes forever to dry.
- Light rain jacket — A packable shell like the Patagonia Houdini or Outdoor Research Helium weighs nothing and saves you from getting soaked on a boat ride.
- Wide-brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses — Sun glare off the water is intense. Polarized lenses help you spot eagle rays from the boat.
- Sarong or large scarf — Incredibly versatile: use it as a towel, a blanket on the plane, a changing screen, or a sun shield on the beach.
- Insect repellent — Skip DEET-based repellent, which can damage wetsuits and plastic gear. Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus works well. I use Sawyer Picaridin lotion, which lasts through sweat and humidity.
- Waterproof backpack — A 20–30L dry bag backpack for everyday trips. Sea to Summit or Ortlieb make good ones.
Medications and First Aid Kit Essentials
Pharmacy access varies widely. In Manila or Cebu City you can find most drugs, but on small islands like Cabilao or Anda, you’ll be limited to a sari-sari store’s medicine shelf.
- Seasickness medication — Buoyancy, not Dramamine. But seriously, bring scopolamine patches or Bonine if you’re prone to motion sickness. The boat rides can be rough.
- Antihistamines — For jellyfish stings, insect bites, or allergic reactions to unknown marine life. Loratadine or cetirizine work well.
- Rehydration salts — Heat exhaustion is common. Pack Dioralyte or Hydralyte sachets. Mix one into your drinking water after a two-tank morning.
- Prescription medication — Bring enough for your entire trip plus five extra days. Keep it in your carry-on, with the original prescription label.
- Basic first aid — Blister plasters, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and a few sterile gauze pads. Cuts from coral or sea urchin spines happen.
- Ear drops — A mix of isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar (50/50) after every dive helps prevent swimmer’s ear. Pack a small dropper bottle.
Money, SIM Cards, and Practical Logistical Tips
The Philippines runs on cash. While resorts and big dive shops take credit cards, the local tindahan (sari-sari store), the boatman who helps you carry your gear, and the tricycle driver all expect cash.
- Philippine pesos (PHP) — Bring some cash from home, but ATMs are common in cities and bigger towns. Withdrawal fees are about 250 PHP per transaction, so take out larger amounts at once. Break large bills at a convenience store — many smaller shops can’t change a 1,000 PHP note.
- Small bills — Twenty, fifty, and one hundred peso notes are gold for tips, jeepney rides, and buying cold drinks. Keep a stash in a separate pocket.
- Credit cards — Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels and dive resorts. Amex is not. Always ask before booking.
- Travel SIM — Globe and Smart both offer prepaid tourist SIMs available at the airport and convenience stores. A 7-day data pack costs around 300–500 PHP. If you’re island hopping, Globe has better coverage in many dive spots. Buy your SIM from a licensed store — fake SIMs are rare but not impossible.
- Digital wallet — GCash is the local standard, but it’s tricky to set up as a tourist. Stick with cash and card.
Final Pre-Departure Checklist and Common Mistakes
Here’s your quick scan before you zip that bag. Print this and pin it to your gear.
- Documents — Passport, visa, certification cards, dive insurance, medical clearance.
- Dive gear — Mask (and backup), fins, booties, wetsuit, dive computer with fresh battery, BCD/regulator (if own).
- Sunscreen — Reef-safe, mineral-based.
- Electronics — Camera + spares, torch + backup torch, power bank, charging cables, waterproof phone pouch.
- Clothing — Quick-dry shirts and shorts, rain jacket, hat, sunglasses, sarong, rash guard, swimwear.
- Medications — Seasickness meds, antihistamines, rehydration salts, ear drops, first aid kit.
- Money and SIM — PHP cash in small bills, credit card, local SIM with data.
- Miscellaneous — SMB, whistle, dry bag, insect repellent (picaridin).
Common mistakes I see: people bring lithium batteries for their dive light but forget alkaline batteries for their backup. Or they pack a full 5mm wetsuit for a shallow reef dive and sweat through the surface interval. Or they bring a heavy cotton towel that never dries. Think through each day’s conditions and adjust accordingly.
Trusted Gear Recommendations for Your Trip
Over the years, certain pieces have proven themselves reliable in Philippine conditions. Here are my personal picks.
Dive Computer
The Suunto D5 is easy to read in bright sunlight, offers nitrox capability, and has a replaceable battery. For a budget option, the Cressi Leonardo is bulletproof and simple.
Dive Torch
The SeaLife SeaTorch 2200 has a wide beam that lights up entire coral bommies. It’s rechargeable (bring a USB charger) and lives in my pocket on every dive.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Stream2Sea Sport is my go-to. It doesn’t run into your eyes, it’s biodegradable, and it’s tough on sun but gentle on coral.
Mask
I dive with the Atomic Aquatics Venom Frameless — it packs flat, clears easily, and never leaks. A hooded strap keeps it secure in current.
Dry Bag
Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bag in 20 liters. Roll-top, lightweight, and survives being tossed on rocky bangka boats.
Got your own packing trick for the Philippines? Drop it in a comment or share your story. The best advice comes from divers who’ve been there.