Dive Equipment: To Take My Own or To Hire? That is the question...

Hello, I am completely undecided about what to do regarding dive equipment. I'll be spending 8 months in SE Asia, Micronesia & PNG, primarily diving, but it's a long trip to be lugging things around especially when I'd also like to a little bit of trekking & hiking too and I hear it's cheap to hire gear anyway. Does anyone have any recommendations on this point? I would take my mask, fins & snorkel either way and I don't have much in my pack as it is anyway so I should be able to stay under 20kg if I take everything.

Muchas grazias

It is fairly cheap in that region but if you are doing a fair bit of diving as you say you are you will save a hell of a lot by bringing your own gear and also you will be familiar with it and know its service history!

If you are treking and hiking where you are also diving any decent dive outfit will look after your gear for you.

If you are diving PNG you definitely want your dive computer

If you were spending 8 months and primarily doing things other than diving, I'd say rent gear as needed. But if, as you say, you plan to spend most of your 8 months in the water, you should not hesitate about bringing your own equipment. If it's simply a matter of weight, buy a travel-weight bcd or a wing with aluminum backplate and consider titanium regs (though they are quite expensive).

Quite a few of the airlines give divers extra luggage allowance providing you tell them in advance, preferably when you book.

I always have my regs and computer in hand luggage and wrap them in bubble plastic just to be safe.

I have a newish BCD and is Seaquest Passport which is designed for travel and is a bit lighter than most although to my surprise it is heavier than my old Seaquest Spectrum which it replaced!
It has removable weight pouches which you can leave at home if you don't need them.

Unfortunately most of the cheap airlines around this side of the world dont give you extra allowance, and slam you for excess.

When I travelled I used to take my regs, mask, fins and computer. BCD's and Wetties are easy to hire and wetsuits depend on the country as the water temperature can be quite different. For example I use a 3mm shorty here in East Timor, but get my 5mm long out for Bali! Wimp!

Dive shops will usually only discount if you have your own regs and/or BCD, so taking your own regs in your hand luggage will save you a bit every time you dive.

If you fancy a different destination with unspoilt diving and very small groups try East Timor www.divetimor.com

TimorDiver

thank you everyone for your responses.

Timordiver, thanks, I think i will do as you suggest and yes I am planning to to visit East Timor as I've had recommendations for your dive centre :-)

Great thats always nice to hear. Feel free to email me on marianne@divetimor.com if you have any questions regarding visas, hotels etc.

TimorDiver

Hi,
I have done similar trips with and without gear and i definately wouldnt take it again. Now all I take is a wrist computer that doubles as my watch, rash vest, booties and sometimes mask if i want to snorkel off the beach a lot .It is too much hassle worrying about throwing stuff in to buses etc But saying that on my last trip that stuff (except the computer) was stolen anyway and once it was gone it was less of a hassle anyway. I definately wouldn't bother with taking fins. When getting hire gear just check it over carefully and i have never had any drama's.

Enjoy your trip!