You know the drill. You’ve been planning this dive trip for months. You’ve obsessively checked your regulator, neatly folded your wetsuit (or drysuit), and safely secured your mask, fins, and BCD. You feel like a packing ninja.
Annnnd then you arrive at your destination, unpack your bag, and realize you forgot the little things. Suddenly, you're at the airport terminal paying $28 for some questionable SPF that is sure to absolutely destroy the coral reef.
We spend so much time worrying about our primary life-support gear that we completely gloss over the accessories that actually make the dive comfortable. Before you zip up your dive bag for your next trip, double-check it for these five commonly forgotten items.
1. Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Let’s be honest, the sunscreen they sell at the resort gift shop is usually overpriced and packed with chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate—ingredients that bleach and damage the very reefs you traveled hundreds of miles to see.
The Fix: Pack a high-quality, truly reef-safe option. We proudly carry Stream2Sea sunscreens and lotions. They are tested and proven to be safe for our oceans, and they actually work to keep you from turning into a lobster on the boat.
2. Eco-Friendly Defog
Spitting in your mask works in a pinch, but a good defog is a lifesaver. The problem? A lot of divers either forget it completely or bring along commercial defogs or baby shampoos that aren't environmentally friendly.
The Fix: Grab a bottle of Stream2Sea Defog. Just like their sunscreen, it’s completely non-toxic, reef-safe, and will keep your field of vision crystal clear when a manta ray decides to swim by.
3. A Rash Guard (or Two)
You might think you only need your wetsuit, but rashguards are the unsung heroes of a dive trip. They make sliding into a damp wetsuit infinitely easier, protect your skin from the sun during surface intervals, and defend against rogue jellyfish stings if you're just snorkeling around the boat.
The Fix: Throw a couple of rash guards into your bag. They take up practically zero space, dry out fast, and look a heck of a lot better than shivering in a soggy t-shirt.
4. A Reliable Dive Light
"But I'm only doing day dives!" Famous last words. A good dive light isn't just for night diving or penetrating wrecks. It brings the vibrant reds and yellows back to the reef at depth, and it’s the only way you're going to spot that octopus hiding deep inside a rocky crevice.
The Fix: Don't leave your flashlight at home. We stock an awesome assortment of dive lights ranging from compact pocket torches to powerful primary lights. May we suggest picking up the Tirton 3K for your next trip?
5. Underwater Phone Housing
We know your new smartphone says it's "water-resistant." We also know that taking it down to 60 feet to snap a picture of a sea turtle is a fantastic way to turn it into a very expensive paperweight. Our phones aren't waterproof—we do know that, right?
The Fix: If you don't want to invest in a dedicated underwater camera rig just yet, get a legitimate underwater phone housing. It seals your phone off completely and lets you capture incredible photos and videos without voiding your warranty.
Need to Restock Before You Fly?
Don't wait until you're at the mercy of the airport convenience store. Stop by Dive Right In Scuba in Plainfield or Orland Park, or grab what you need right here on our website. We’ve got all the Stream2Sea products, rashguards, housings, and lights you need to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch.